European History

Jean-Marc Lieberherr examines Jean Monnet’s vital role in securing US arms for Britain and France during the Second World War and in driving international cooperation.

The world’s first independent air force owes its survival and shape to its ‘father’, Hugh Trenchard. We explore how with the RAF Museum’s Dr Harry Raffal.

The 3rd Marquess of Santa Cruz de Marcenado (1684–1732), soldier, diplomat and scholar, pioneered humanist ways to prevent or suppress insurgencies in his Military Reflections.

Our podcast guest Air Marshal Edward Stringer's provides analysis of Marshal Arthur Tedder, Eisenhower's Deputy in WWII, and considers his strategic brilliance in orchestrating D-Day.

Podcast guest Dr Andrew Sangster explores the complex relationship between Winston Churchill and General Alanbrooke, highlighting their strategic debates and the dynamics of civil-military relations.

Join Beatrice and Paul as they discuss Admiral Sergey Gorshkov's legacy with Captain (ret.) Dr. Kevin Rowlands, exploring his impact on the Soviet Navy's evolution.

Join Professor Alan Forrest in a compelling discussion with podcast hosts Beatrice and Paul on Napoleon's enduring 'system of war' as interpreted by Jomini and Clausewitz.

Join this week's podcast guest David ‘JD’ Davies in examining Michiel de Ruyter, the apolitical naval commander who delivered a significant defeat to the Royal Navy in 1667.

Dr Kelly O’Neill, an historian of Russia at Harvard University, and the author of Claiming Crimea: A History of Catherine the Great’s Southern Empire, joins Beatrice and Paul for this episode.

Professor Gunnar Åselius explores the life of King Gustavus Adolphus, a strategic commander whose victories in the Thirty Years' War marked a turning point for Protestantism in Europe.

Dr Louis Rawlings helps podcast hosts Beatrice and Paul dissect Julius Caesar as a strategist and as a political animal.

Dr Adam Storring helps us understand Frederick II of Prussia, a complicated man, who like Xerxes and Alexander III before him, was obsessed with outdoing and outshining his father.

Dr Andrew Fear, Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Manchester, joins Paul and Beatrice to tell us about the strategies of Alexander the Great.

Dr John O. Hyland joins Paul and Beatrice to discuss fifth-century BC Persian ruler Xerxes I, whose royal progress took him to the Western boundaries of his empire.

Join podcast guest Professor Martin Motte as he explores Raoul Castex's legacy and considers the strategic insights of the naval officer who championed joint military operations.

Discover the influence of Dietrich Heinrich von Bülow on military science with our guest, Dr Arthur Kuhle, as we analyse his complex legacy and lasting contributions.

Join Beatrice Heuser and Paul O’Neill in Season 3 of Talking Strategy as they examine Antoine-Henri Jomini's influence on military thought with Professor Echevarria.

Join Brigadier General Dr Hervé Pierre, Beatrice, and Paul as they explore General André Beaufre's strategic insights and their relevance to modern military thought.

Dr Bradley Potter explores the impact of Liddell Hart, a First World War captain who wrote to avert future conflicts and their devastation.

Join Professor Matthew Strickland and post hosts Beatrice and Paul as they explore Gerald of Wales, a pivotal cleric and royal chaplain to King Henry II in 1184.

Join us as we analyse Niccolò Machiavelli's Art of War with our guest, Professor Maurizio Viroli, focusing on the republican values that underpin this influential work.

Professor Gudrun Persson joins Paul and Beatrice as they explore the life and strategic contributions of General Aleksandr Svechin, a pivotal figure in military history.

Explore the transformative ideas of Italian General Giulio Douhet with this week's guest Colonel Dr Stephen Renner from the US Air War College along with podcast hosts Paul and Beatrice.

Join Emeritus Professor Françoise Le Saux as we explore Christine de Pizan's influential writings on governance and war, aimed at reducing civilian suffering.

Join us with podcast guest Dr Ofer Fridman as we explore the insights of Genrikh Leer and Evgeny Messner, pivotal authors now influencing Russian military strategy.

Join Beatrice Heuser and Paul O’Neill in a compelling discussion on Clausewitz's intellectual legacy, examining the lasting impact of this influential military theorist.

In this episode, we discuss the reign of Leo VI (the Wise) (866–912, r. 886–912), Byzantine emperor and strategist, with Dr Georgios Chatzelis.

Dr Jonathan Abel, Assistant Professor of Military History, explores the life and works of Guibert, the father of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, in this insightful episode.