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185 episodes

War Stories, Episode 2: A British Armoured Commander in Afghanistan, 2011
30/04/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
In the second edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (War Studies, 2002-2005), Ru and Nick speak to Jamie Irwin (War Studies, 2000-2003), who served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Afghanistan on HERRICK 14, with the British Army, having previously served in Iraq on TELIC 12.

Ru and Nick take a deep dive into the high intensity counter-insurgency conflict in Helmand, Afghanistan, 2011, through the eyes of an armoured commander (Warthog Group).

They delve into the challenges Jamie’s unit faced fighting the Taliban in the Afghan summer covering the experience ofarmoured warfare, through tactics, morale and combat, working in a hostile environment with a civilian population just trying to survive.

Further Reading:
1. BBC Documentary: Fighting on the Frontline: War Wagons
https://bit.ly/48uJdhG

Key Locations Described:
· Zumbalay, Adin Za’i, FOB Price (Gereshk), Lashkar Gah, Nad E’Ali
Drawing Ukraine: A discussion with Ella Baron
02/04/2026 | 38 mins.
In May 2025 Ella Baron, a political cartoonist at The Guardian, travelled to Ukraine to record and reflect on the human impact of war. In collaboration with NGO Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Ella met patients in a rehabilitation centre for war veterans in Cherkasy and a mental health clinic for internally displaced families in Vinnytsia. The Art & Conflict Hub is currently hosting an exhibition of the artwork Ella produced at the Arcade in Bush House until the end of April 2026, exploring the complex marks war leaves on the human body and mind.

In this episode of the War Studies Podcast, Ella discusses her work as a political cartoonist and the exhibition "Battles of the Mind" with Dr Henry Redwood, co-convener for the MA in Political and Strategic Communications, and co-lead of the Art and Conflict Hub at the Department for War Studies.

Experience "Battles of the Mind" at King’s: https://bit.ly/4m33AIe

You can find below the full Guardian article, and links to Ella's socials: https://bit.ly/4m6GQHv
X: @ebaroncartoons
IG: @ella_baron
War Stories, Episode 1: A British Infantry Officer in Afghanistan, 2007
26/03/2026 | 1h 26 mins.
In the inaugural edition of the War Studies War Stories podcast series, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (War Studies, 2002-2005), Ru and Nick briefly explain what they’re looking to achieve in this series, through the use of King’s own unique resource - its alumni and their experience of war (built on King’s War Studies ‘Experience of War’ module).

Ru and Nick then take a deep dive into the life of a Platoon Commander in the high intensity counter-insurgency conflict in Helmand, Afghanistan, 2007, through the eyes of co-host Nick’s own experiences, serving with the Royal Anglian Regiment in Nowzad.

Ru delves into the challenges Nick’s unit faced fighting the Taliban in the Afghan summer covering the experience of warfare, through tactics, morale and combat, working in a hostile environment with a civilian population just trying to survive.

Further Reading
• News clip: https://youtu.be/hTH0yMuc3pQ?si=c2jC_nz2vF6Ck4_v
• Press: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/aug/05/military.afghanistan
• Podcast 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/961057/episodes/16085942-afghanistan-nick-denning-royal-anglian-regiment-you-want-to-feel-worn-in-and-seasoned-and-up-to-speed-as-quickly-as-you-can
• Podcast 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nick-denning-captain-royal-anglian-regiment/id1799202777?i=1000710546820
The Helsinki Brief, Episode 2: Intelligence Culture in Finland
11/03/2026 | 49 mins.
In the second episode of The Helsinki Brief: Inside Finnish Intelligence and Security, the focus is on intelligence culture in Finland, explored within the wider context of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) and how it operates.

Dr Paul McGarr of King’s College London is joined by Hannamiina Tanninen, an analyst at the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, to discuss the evolution of Finland’s intelligence culture, Supo’s role within the national security framework, and how intelligence practices have adapted to contemporary security challenges.
Leadership in a divided world
25/02/2026 | 59 mins.
In this episode, Dr Nafees Hamid speaks with Michael Shipler, King’s College London War Studies alumnus and Vice President of Leadership Development & Partnerships at Search for Common Ground (SFCG), the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organisation.

With global cooperation declining and populism and authoritarianism on the rise, Nafees and Michael explore how those on opposite sides can be brought together. Drawing on SFCG’s work in conflict‑affected regions around the world, their conversation covers topics from moral injury to the use of art in peacebuilding, and why conflict itself isn’t the problem - it’s how we choose to manage it. Learn more about SFCG and their work here: https://www.sfcg.org/

This episode is produced as part of the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme, which seeks to understand the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict‑affected populations and to support practical solutions for peace. Learn more at www.xcept-research.org.

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About War Studies

Welcome to the War Studies podcast. We bring you world-leading research from the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the study of all aspects of security, defence and international relations. We aim to explore the complex realm of conflict and uncover the challenges at the heart of navigating world affairs and diplomatic relations, because we believe the study of war is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the world we want to live in. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review us on your preferred podcast provider – it really helps us reach more listeners. The School of Security Studies harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise across War Studies and Defence Studies to produce world-leading research and teaching on issues of global security that develops new empirical knowledge, employs innovative theory, and addresses vital policy issues. Visit our website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies Sign up to our mailing list: https://kcl.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cc0521a63c9b286223dea9d18&id=730233761d DISCLAIMER: Any information, statements or opinions contained in these podcasts are those of the individual speakers. They do not represent the opinions of the Department of War Studies or King's College London.

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