War Studies

The HMS Derwent arrived in Freetown harbour, Sierra Leone in March 1808, escorting two captured American ships carrying 167 enslaved people. What made them unusual was that their journey was interrupted — they were not simply captives, but “recaptives.” No longer bound for the Americas, these “liberated Africans” were instead bound to the British Empire: one of the first groups of survivors of the Atlantic slave trade to be brought to a British colony under the newly operational Slave Trade Abolition Act of 1807. But what happened to these former slaves as they fell under the “protection” of the British Government? The freedom into which they had been delivered—as they would learn—was not intended to mean anything more than freedom from being legally owned as chattel. Former slaves were expected to repay the debt of their salvation. In this special Black History Month episode of the War Studies Podcast, Dr Maeve Ryan joins us to discuss her new book, which seeks to deepen our understanding of the conceptual origins and implications of British policies to manage and control liberated slaves, and its consequences for British foreign policy and the rest of the world throughout the 19th century. She discusses the series of imperial experiments set up to resettle and integrate former slaves, with extremely variable and frequently tragic results. She examines how liberated slaves were argued over as resources, as labour units to be distributed or as objects of paternalistic concern and contempt, and as instruments in diplomatic confrontations. She also shares how throughout, the liberated people found ways to disrupt and resist refusing to be a blank canvas onto which imperialist goals, ambitions, and fantasies could be imprinted. As such, they presented successive governments and generations of abolitionists with a complex series of moral, political, ideological, and practical challenges. Find out more about Dr Maeve Ryan’s new book: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300251395/humanitarian-governance-and-the-british-antislavery-world-system/ Find out more about the Centre for Grand Strategy Maeve co-directs in the Department of War Studies: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/kcl-centre-for-grand-strategy

Over the winter of 2019 in India, 519 riots took place causing mass casualties and deaths. This in part was a reaction to the introduction of the Citizenship Amendments Act (CAA), government legislation that enabled non-Muslim immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to become Indian citizens. The exclusion of Muslims was seen by many as a fundamental challenge to principles of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution, resulting in violent altercations between protestors, the police and Hindu nationalists. Yet, this was not the only cause. Far removed from CAA agitations, political violence in a variety of forms was waged across India and their neighbouring countries. 75 years since the Partition of the India, we speak to Dr Adnan Naseemullah, Reader in International Politics in the Department of War Studies, to explore the roots of political violence across India, Pakistan and Bangledesh. Discussing his new book, ‘Patchwork States: The Historical Roots of Subnational Conflict and Competition in South Asia’, he argues that the enduring differences in state capacity and state-society relations, built during the colonial period, continue to shape patterns of political violence across the Indian subcontinent. In bridging the gap between the past and present, he asks us to think critically about the legacy of colonial rule and the state in modern-day conflicts, while keeping in mind that history is not determinative.

The Western Front, that cauldron of war, a bubbling, fermenting experiment in killing that changed the world. The Western Front would become synonymous with stalemate and mass slaughter, with indecisive, attritional struggles, amid a tortured landscape of barbed wire and mud. All the commanders of the First World War, whether leading the British, French or German, struggled in this maelstrom. Yet, for years the 'Generals' have been characterised as ‘donkeys’ or ‘butchers’: unfeeling military aristocrats fighting the wrong kind of war, unable to adapt or change to the new realities unfolding on the battlefield. In this episode, Professor of Modern Warfare in the Defence Studies Department, Nick Lloyd, counters this prevailing narrative, to provide a much more complex and nuanced understanding of these men, trying to cope with a war that had shattered their lives as much as any other. Discussing his book, The Western Front: A History of the First World War, he shares how the truth about the Generals’ performance was a much messier picture than we might imagine, of trial and error, success and failure, with each promising development followed by an equally effective counter-measure from the enemy. He explores how their efforts to overcome the challenge of trench warfare led to innovation, new technology and ultimately the dawn of modern warfare. And how these men were human beings with families – some of whom would be terribly damaged by the battles they themselves directed. In so doing he asks us to follow these men on their command journey, consider their successes and failures and ask ourselves if we would fare any better in their place. Find out more about Professor Lloyd’s book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/308121/the-western-front-by-lloyd-nick/9780241347195 Watch his book launch on the War Studies YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPhJnEXDTU8

Globally, there are very few women in leadership positions in healthcare and peacebuilding in areas of armed conflict – but why is this the case? Why are women a key part of healthcare & peacebuilding? What barriers do women face in accessing leadership roles? And what can we do to tackle this? In this episode, we speak with a team of researchers about their recently published policy brief, ‘An untapped potential: Women’s leadership in health in conflict and peacebuilding’. They give vital insight into some of the biggest issues facing women and peacebuilding, and highlight the emerging relationship between women’s leadership, healthcare, and peace in conflict-affected settings.

Why did the United States become involved in Vietnam? To combat communism, evidently. But just how did a Southeast Asian French colony already devastated by two wars become an existential threat? The Vietnam war is one of the most studied diplomatic and security conundrums of international history, political science, international relations and statecraft. Yet less is known about the actual origins of this conflict, which was the continuation of a French colonial conflict. In this episode Dr Pablo de Orellana, Lecturer in International Relations in the Department of War Studies, discusses his book the 'Road to Vietnam', which explores how the United States was persuaded to stake its diplomatic and economic might to support France's war to retain it's colony in Indochina, after which the French withdrew in 1954 and it became an American burden. Focusing on the diplomatic texts of France, Vietnam the USA and UK during this period, he traces the evolutions of the descriptions and narratives of the peoples and countries implicated, and how this produced understandings of the war, its participants and their motives.

“Empty stomachs have no ears…” These were the words of a poacher in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, when asked why he continued to destroy wildlife in a local forest. It reveals what we often forget: that the degradation of biodiversity doesn't happen in a vacuum. So how are global security, development and conservation related? In what ways do conflict and its many secondary effects, bring grave risks for biodiversity? And how can we start seeing action on climate and wildlife as a fundamental part of the post-conflict peacebuilding process? This special episode for London Climate Action Week sees Dr Richard Milburn, Visiting Research Associate in the Department of War Studies, answer these questions and more. He gives important insight into some of the biggest issues around climate, conservation and security, including ways to protect wildlife during conflict, post-conflict environmental recovery, and how we can fundamentally challenge our thinking on climate change, including why we should all become conservation entrepreneurs. You can find out more about Richard’s work, including his innovative environmental action game here: https://www.tunzagames.com and the conservation organisation his work supports here: https://www.polepolefoundation.org

There are around 150 incidents of unauthorised activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials reported each year, including smuggling and theft. Why is this a grave issue of concern? How do we find those responsible? And who’s job is it to stop these materials going outside of regulatory control? David Smith, Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London and an expert in nuclear forensics, answers these questions. He gives us an insight into the life of a nuclear forensic scientist and touches on some of the biggest nuclear security challenges in recent years, such as how the war in Ukraine has impacted the safety of nuclear facilities and undermined the policing of nuclear trafficking in the region, the impact of Covid 19 on nuclear security protocols, and the risks posed by climate change.

What’s happening on the ground in Ukraine? Why has Russia’s hopes of a swift, decisive victory turned into a long, drawn-out, brutal war of attrition? How has Russia revised it’s strategy and tactics, as Putin loses interest in a diplomatic solution with Ukraine? Is a nuclear, chemical or biological attack still likely? Can Putin be put on trial for Russia’s alleged war crimes? Two months on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we’ve gone back to experts in the School of Security Studies to get their take on how the war is unravelling and get answers to the many questions that have arisen since the war began. This episode was taken from a webinar recorded at the end of April. You can watch the full video including questions and answers from the audience on the War Studies Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLAIzmrMZ-U

**World We Got This Podcast: The role of space in modern-day warfare ** Continuing on from last week we’re sharing another episode of the World We Got this podcast, produced the Faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy at King’s, which features some of our academics from the School of Security Studies. This episode, the second on the changing face of war, looks at how countries around the world and private individuals are expanding their activities into space and how closely these are linked to what is happening on Earth. Dr Sophy Antrobus, Dr Mark Hilborne and Julia Balm, from the School of Security, also explore whether we need to put in safeguards now, how we can learn lessons from the past and why we should encourage international collaboration to ensure space doesn’t become dangerous overcrowded by satellites and space debris. The World We Got This Podcast is produced the Faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy at King’s College London, and looks at the complex issues we face in the world today, asking those researching and studying these global challenges about the impacts they are having on society – and what we can do to help overcome them. We hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you want to listen to more episodes and subscribe, just search for the World We Go This Podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts, or find out more on the website: kcl.ac.uk/world-we-got-this

**World We Got This Podcast: How cyber operations, social media & artificial intelligence are changing warfare** Today and next week we’re sharing another podcast series with you, which features some of our academics from the School of Security Studies. The Podcast – 'World We Got This' is produced the Faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy at King’s College London, and looks at the complex issues we face in the world today, asking those researching and studying these global challenges about the impacts they are having on society – and what we can do to help overcome them. In today’s episode Dr Tim Stevens and Dr Kenneth Payne from the School of Security Studies look at how cyber operations, social media and artificial intelligence are changing the nature of warfare. We hope you enjoy the podcast, and if you want to listen to more episodes and subscribe, just search for the World We Go This Podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts or find out more on the website: kcl.ac.uk/world-we-got-this

Many pundits did not believe Russia was going to attack Ukraine. Yet on 24th February 2022 Vladimir Putin launched a terrestrial invasion entering through the North, South, and East of the country. As we continue to make sense of the evolving situations, so many questions have arisen. So we’re sharing a special episode of the War Studies Podcast, which is based on the recording of a webinar held in mid-March 2022 at the School of Security Studies, King’s College London. It features experts from across the War Studies and Defence Studies Department sharing their insight on the war in Ukraine. They discuss perplexing questions such as, why Putin decided to invade Ukraine, escalating from the grey zone warfare seen in 2014 to a war of attrition? Whether he's taken a reckless gamble? What do we know about his military strategy and how does it inform us on what he might do next? You can watch the full video including questions and answers from the audience on the War Studies Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH5mv83N6mQ

At the end of 2021, the UK government published a report looking into some of the institutional barriers women face within the military. Shockingly, over half of servicewomen surveyed had faced bullying, harassment or discrimination – but the majority had not reported it. Why are women hesitant to report these incidents? What obstacles do women face in these institutions? What can we do to tackle biases and systems that are preventing women from speaking up? In this special edition episode for International Women’s Day, Dr Anna Brinkman-Schwartz and Helene Olsen join us to answer these questions and more. We discuss some of the issues faced by women within the military, security, and academia, and explore what we – and institutions – can do to "break the bias". Further resources: • Journal article: 'Women Academics and Feminism in PME' Brown, Katherine, Syme-Taylor, Victoria. DOI:10.1108/02610151211235460 • Fight Like a Girl, Kater Germano. This is a book written by the woman in charge of the US Marine Corps Women's training programme when it was still segregated by gender. • Managing Sex in the U.S. Military: Gender, Identity, and Behaviour eds. Beth Bailey, Alesha Doan, Shannon Portillo, and Kara Dixon Vuic. (This does not come out till May) • Women's International Thought: A New History eds. Patricia Owens and Katharina Rietzler • The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq by Helen Benedict • Shade it Black: Death and After in Iraq by Jess Goodell •Report "Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life": https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6959/documents/72771/default/

Up until 2000 it was illegal in Britain to be LGBTQ+ and serve in the armed forces. If suspected of being gay, service personnel would be interrogated, imprisoned, dismissed in disgrace and stripped of their livelihoods, medals and ultimately their dignity Over 20 years on what was the impact of this ban on LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces? And what is being done to bring justice and support to those veterans who were suffered criminalisation and shame as a result of their sexuality?  In this special LGBT+ History Month episode we talk to Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones, Joint Chief Executive of Fighting with Pride, a charity that supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and their families. Craig discusses the pre-2000 ban on homosexuals in the British Armed Forces and his own experiences as a gay man serving in the Royal Navy. A time filled with anxiety, he grappled with the reality of 'living in the shadows' to avoid being arrested, criminalised and 'dismissed in disgrace', something that he saw many of his comrades subjected to.  We also discuss his book, Fighting with Pride, and its inclusion of a letter from renowned military historian and founder of the Department of War Studies, Sir Michael Howard, who campaigned for the rights of LGBT+ service personnel himself. We then take a look at Craig’s campaign which has pushed the government to launch an independent review into the treatment of LGBT veterans, and whether justice might finally be served. Find out about the charity Fighting with Pride: https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/ Read the book: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Fighting-with-Pride-Hardback/p/16874

A century ago in 1922, British historian and strategist Sir Julian Corbett died. Sir Julian’s contribution as a historian places him amongst the great scholars and thinkers of military history and strategic studies, alongside the likes of theorist Carl Von Clauzwitz. This episode features Professor Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies, on his new book 'The British Way of War, Julian Corbett and the Battle for a National Strategy'. He talks to guest presenter Dr James W E Smith, a researcher in the Department of War Studies, about why Corbett ranks amongst the greats of military strategic studies, and how he coined the concept of a ‘British way of war’. Lambert discusses how Corbett's ideas were catastrophically ignored in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War, but went on to help shape Britain’s naval successes in the Second World War. Professor Lambert also shares the importance Sir Julian placed on history, as a tool in the intellectual armour of militaries, and his mastery in garnering useful insight from studying Britain’s military past to create a national strategy for Britain. Although Corbett would eventually fall from recognition, a century on, Lambert argues, Corbett’s importance as a historian and strategist is finally being recognised more and made accessible to the public. You can find out more about his publication on the Yale University Press website: https://yalebooks.co.uk/display.asp?k=9780300250732

Once expected to guarantee the ‘salvation of mankind’, by ensuring a peaceful, healthy and prosperous global order, international organisations such as the UN, NATO, the EU have increasingly lost trust and legitimacy over recent decades. They are often accused of corruption, embezzlement, sexual scandals, poor and immoral performance, and their ability to take on pressing global challenges is compromised. Alongside this, a wave of populism, nationalism, and isolationism threatens the stability of the international legal order and the capacity of international organisations to address policy dilemmas. But as we have painfully witnessed with Covid-19, global cooperation and leadership is needed now more than ever, with ever mounting and more serious global policy dilemmas, including the influx of refugees, climate change, global health issues, cyber wars, and growing inequality. So, how do we rehabilitate International organisations to ensure the fulfilment of their missions while respecting integrity and ethical values? In this episode, Dr Maria Varaki, Lecturer in International Law at the Department of War Studies, and Dr Guilherme Vasconcelos, Associate Professor of Law at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, discuss a new volume they’ve edited - ‘Ethical leadership in international organizations'. It offers an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to looking at the importance of virtue ethics to help better understand the role of leadership in international organisations, and how this can transform approaches to tackling pressing global challenges.