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Alessio Patalano discusses the maritime dimensions of the Ukraine conflict and the shifting dynamics of naval strategy globally. There are many lessons to be learned from the maritime dimension of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Alessio explores maritime security and resilience, assessing both the operational dynamics and wider economic implications of the war at sea. He examines the challenges faced by NATO members and the broader international community in adapting their naval capabilities. He talks about the future of maritime security, including advancements in undersea warfare and the evolving role of drones and other technologies in naval operations. Alessio Patalano is Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia and Co-Director of the Centre for Grand Strategy at King's College London, where he specialises in maritime strategic issues.

British Army officer Major Jon Armstrong discusses how resistance networks are formed and utilised, particularly in the current Russo-Ukraine war. From the makeshift resistance efforts seen in Ukraine to Sweden's carefully structured Total Defence approach, resistance networks can play a crucial role in a country's defence strategy. Armstrong talks about the different elements of resistance activities, focusing on Ukraine, and examines their successes and limitations. He addresses the challenges in controlling these networks, along with the potential post-conflict difficulties of reintegration; warning of the risk of civil strife if such groups are sidelined. As nations plan for future conflicts, Armstrong argues that they must not only build resistance networks, but also integrate them within the broader operational strategy. Jon Armstrong is a British Army officer with over 20 years of experience. His research interests include land operations and irregular warfare. He holds a BA in War Studies and an MA in Military and Security Studies from King's College London. The views expressed in this podcast are the authors', and do not represent those of RUSI or any other institution.

Paddy Walker and Elke Schwarz discuss the operational and ethical implications of autonomous systems in warfare. Paddy and Elke highlight the gap between expectations and reality, arguing that while AI-enabled technologies are often marketed as revolutionary, their real-world effectiveness remains uncertain due to data limitations, technical vulnerabilities and the challenges of human–machine integration. Dr Paddy Walker is an Associate Fellow at RUSI and a Senior Research Fellow at the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Buckingham. His latest book, War Without Oversight, was published in January 2025. Professor Elke Schwarz is Professor of Political Theory at Queen Mary University of London and the author of Death Machines: The Ethics of Violent Technologies.

Patrick Bury, Reader in Warfare and Counter-Terrorism at the University of Bath, discusses the trade-offs, policy considerations, and potential solutions shaping the future of national security. With evolving geopolitical tensions, recruitment difficulties, and shifting societal attitudes, the UK armed forces currently face pressing challenges. Patrick explores the key trends shaping UK defence, from NATO's uncertain future and the UK's shrinking force size to the future of conscription and the disconnect between the public and the military. Patrick is a Reader in Warfare and Counter-Terrorism at the University of Bath. He has over 20 years' experience of working in the security sector as a practitioner, analyst and academic, and is a former British Army Captain and NATO analyst.

In this episode, Jamie Gaskarth and Laura Southgate discuss the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. They talk about the region's economic importance and growing tensions due, at least in part, to the strained relationship between China and the US. They also discuss the implications for other powers, especially the UK, in seeking to balance security interests in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Jamie is Professor of Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Open University. Laura is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University.

In this episode, US and Royal Navy officers examine the mental health challenges experienced by the surviving crew following a mass casualty event. US Navy officer Ryan Easterday and Royal Navy Medical Officer Charlotte Evans use the tragic collision of USS John S McCain in 2017 as a case study to discuss the actions taken to address such mental health challenges. Ryan is an officer in the US Navy and has helped return USS John S McCain to warfighting readiness as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer from late 2017 until early 2021. Charlotte is a Royal Navy Medical Officer and Consultant Psychiatrist. Related article: Learning From the USS John S McCain Incident | Royal United Services Institute

In this special episode, author August Cole and Professor David Gioe FRHistS reflect on the tumultuous events of 2024. They discuss the books, films and exhibitions that have helped make sense of the year's key defence and security developments, and share their insights on what the future might hold in 2025.

RUSI researcher Maria Nizzero talks about the growing problem of illicit finance and its shift from a domestic policy issue to a security threat. She explains the process of the securitisation of illicit finance, what it means and the impact and challenges that will arise from it. Maria Nizzero is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI and was previously Associate Professor of EU Politics and Institutions at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

Albin Östervall and Charlotte Wagnsson explain malign information influence and discuss how one key social factor – loneliness – is contributing to its pervasiveness in Western societies. They share why democracies are particularly vulnerable and suggest ways that how governments can mitigate this. Albin Östervall holds an MSc in Political Science from Uppsala University; Charlotte Wagnsson is Professor of Political Science at the Swedish Defence University. Related article: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-journal/how-russian-malign-information-influence-exploits-western-loneliness

Elena Grossfeld and Magda Long discuss the evolution of Russian sabotage activities, from traditional sabotage to the current 'gig-economy' era. They also discuss how intelligence agencies can adjust their response to these covert actions, and whether the general public should be made more aware of them. Elena Grossfeld is a PhD candidate at the Department of War Studies, King's College London, researching intelligence organisations, their strategic culture and technologies. Magda Long is a Visiting Research Fellow at the King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence at King's College London. Russian Sabotage in the Gig-Economy Era | Royal United Services Institute

Major Patrick Hinton, Former Chief of the General Staff's Visiting Fellow at RUSI, discussed how AI can be used in military wargaming, recruitment and retention and procurement.

Ingvild Bode, Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern Denmark, talks about the integration of AI in military systems and discusses the emergence of norms and standards about the use of AI technologies in conflict.

Carlos Solar discusses how shifting domestic politics influence the way Latin American countries behave on the international stage, and analyses their divergent narratives about conflict and the future of the international order. Dr Carlos Solar is Senior Research Fellow in the International Security Studies team at RUSI. His current research is focused on security dynamics in the Americas, notably on military, human security and international relations issues that connect with the West. He is the author of Cybersecurity Governance in Latin America (SUNY Press), Governing the Military (Manchester University Press) and Government and Governance of Security (Routledge), and co-edited Violence, Crime and Justice in Latin America (Routledge).

Tim Edmunds, Professor of International Security and Director of the Global Insecurities Centre at the University of Bristol, traces how maritime security – and our understanding of it – has changed over the past few decades. Joining Emma and Ed, Tim looks at how geopolitics, climate change and technology are changing both the threats and the opportunities at the heart of the maritime security agenda.

Harriet Gray, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of York, mental health nurse Nicola Lester and Emma Norton, lawyer and Director of the Centre for Military Justice, talk about their research on sexual violence in the British Armed Forces and discuss cultural and institutional responses.