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Talking Strategy

by Royal United Services Institute
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About the show

Our thinking about defence and security is shaped by ideas. What we see depends on our vantage point and the lenses we apply to the world. Governments, military and business leaders are seeking to maximise the value they gain from scarce resources by becoming more 'strategic'. Standing on the shoulders of the giants of strategy from the past helps us see further and more clearly into the future. This series is aimed at those looking to learn more about strategy and how to become more strategic – leaders, practitioners and scholars. This podcast series, co-chaired by Professor Beatrice Heuser and Paul O'Neill, examines the ideas of important thinkers from around the world and across the ages. The ideas, where they came from and what shaped those whose ideas shape us now. By exploring the concepts in which we and our adversaries think today, the episodes will shine a light on how we best prepare for tomorrow. The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.

Latest episodes

  • S7E2: What Does a Return to Realpolitik Mean? With Professor John Bew

    October 6, 2026 · 34 min

    What is realpolitik, and why is the world said to be returning to it? Professor John Bew CMG traces the idea back to its origins. The world may well be entering a new age of realpolitik, but the harder question is defining which kind. The…

  • S7E1: Avoiding Strategic Surprise: Lessons from NATO with Dr Florence Gaub

    September 22, 2026 · 33 min

    NATO expert Dr Florence Gaub explains how strategic foresight helps NATO anticipate and avoid strategic surprise in an uncertain world. Strategic surprise happens when new information fundamentally changes how we see the world. In an…

  • S6E22: Delivering National Security Strategies

    July 14, 2026 · 39 min

    Former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor Sir Mark Lyall Grant discusses the challenges facing delivery of Western security strategies. In this season of Talking Strategy we have explored many of the key themes of today's…

  • S6E21: Dr Jack Watling on Ukrainian Adaptation to War

    June 30, 2026 · 34 min

    In our 100th episode, we talk to RUSI senior research fellow Dr Jack Watling about the transformation in Ukraine in response to Russia's War. Against what many considered a materially superior adversary, Ukraine has not only withstood…

  • S6E20: Preparing for War: Adaptable Forces and Societies

    June 16, 2026 · 36 min

    Professor Olivier Schmitt describes the systemic challenges of military transformation, given rapidly evolving technology and NATO's distinct strategic cultures. Modern defence and security reviews highlight the deteriorating security…

  • Adversarial Strategy: Russia's Preparations for a Long War

    June 2, 2026 · 32 min

    We look at how Russia's armed forces are learning lessons from combat and examine Moscow's ambitions in its war against Ukraine. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is part of a long-term, much larger project of turning Russia into a…

  • Bullion to Bullets: Mobilising the Financial Markets

    May 19, 2026 · 36 min

    The Centre for Economic Security's Dr Rebecca Harding argues for the importance of financial markets as the fourth pillar in supporting effective mobilisation. Conversations about industrial mobilisation often focus on the triumvirate of…

  • S6E17: Industrial Mobilisation: Harnessing the Capacity of Defence Primes Andrea Thompson

    May 5, 2026 · 37 min

    Despite an increasing focus on SMEs, effective industrial mobilisation must also better harness the power of traditional defence firms. Andrea Thompson from BAE Systems explains how. The excitement in defence ministries about improving…