Talking Strategy Podcasts

This podcast explores the strategists and ideas that have shaped our understanding of defence and security.



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, militaries and business leaders are seeking to maximise the value they can gain from scarce resources by becoming more ‘strategic’. Standing on the shoulders of the giants of strategy of the past can help us see further and more clearly into the future. This series is aimed at those – leaders, practitioners, scholars – looking to learn more about strategy and wishing to discover how to become more strategic in thought and action.

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 themselves, where they came from, and what shaped those whose ideas shape us now. By exploring the foundations of how we and our adversaries think today, the episodes will shine a light on how we can 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.


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Season 4

Welcome to the fourth season of Talking Strategy. Access the latest episodes.

Episode 20: Moshe Dayan: Master of Emergent Strategy?
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Episode 19: Arthur Tedder: A Coalition Strategist of War and Warfare
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Episode 18: Qasim Soleimani and the Strategy of Militant Proxies
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Episode 17: José de San Martín: the Hannibal of Latin America?
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Episode 16: Alanbrooke, Churchill’s Right-Hand General
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Episode 15: Generals Lee and Grant: Great Strategists of the American Civil War
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Episode 14: Lord Peach: Evolving, Adopting and Adapting Alliance Strategy
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Episode 13: Sergey Gorshkov: Architect of the Soviet Navy
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Episode 12: Tecumseh: America’s First Whole-of-Society Strategy
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Episode 11: Napoleon Bonaparte: Soldier, Strategist, Emperor
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Episode 10: Michiel de Ruyter: The Modest Admiral Who Kept the English at Bay
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Episode 9: Catherine the Great: Russia’s Black Sea Expansion
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Episode 8: Gustavus Adolphus: Pioneer of Combined Arms Manoeuvre
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Episode 7: Caesar: Rome’s Defensive Expansion
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Episode 6: Yi Sun-sin: Korea’s Greatest Commander
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Episode 5: Frederick II of Prussia, The Philosopher King
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Episode 4: Alexander the Great: Son of Zeus
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Episode 3: Shaka Zulu: Africa’s Greatest Commander?
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Episode 2: Xerxes: The Persian Empire’s Aegean Expansion
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Episode 1: Subotai the Valiant: Genghis Khan’s Master Strategist
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