Best Defence Journal Podcasts (2025)

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 067 - Defining Cognitive Warfare: Maximalist versus Minimalist Approach 30:27

Play Pause

7d ago30:27

30:27

Given the relevance, evolution, and proliferation of cognitive warfare in the modern age, it is necessary to delve deeper into the concept to gain an empirical understanding that can inform future policies and practices. Accordingly, a systematic literature review was carried out to define the concept in relation to six key aspects, namely its dema…

1
On the frontline of Nato's cyber war with Russia 26:43

5h ago26:43

26:43

Cyber warfare is played out in the shadows, never declared and never attributed. But, as the General in charge of Nato's cyber operations tells Tom, the west is fighting what amounts to a war on a daily basis. Patrick agrees, recalling his time as Commander of UK Cyber operations, an experience he likens to living under a 'digital Blitz.' Host: Gen…

1
Inside the Information War: Journalism on Europe’s Frontline 28:03

6d ago28:03

28:03

In today’s conflicts, some of the fiercest battles are not fought with weapons, but with information. In this episode, MEP Reinis Pozņaks and MEP Petras Auštrevičius are joined by Sarah Wheaton, Chief Policy Correspondent at Politico Europe, to explore the role of journalism in times of crisis and the growing pressure on independent media. Together…

1
Victim-centred peacemaking: How victim inclusion shaped Colombia’s Santos-FARC peace process 45:26

6d ago45:26

45:26

In this episode, Professor Roddy Brett, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Director of the Global Insecurities Centre at the University of Bristol, joins Dr Nafees Hamid, Co-PI of the XCEPT research programme, to discuss his new book, ‘Victim-Centred Peacemaking: Colombia's Santos-FARC-EP Peace Process’. Professor Brett reveals how the vic…

1
What's Trump really doing in Venezuela? 54:35

7d ago54:35

54:35

The largest deployment of US naval assets since the Cold War has been sent steaming across the Atlantic to the Venezuelan coast. The CIA has reportedly been given the green light to operate inside the country. And now the Cartel de los Soles has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, potentially paving the way for strikes against the man…

1
BONUS: Is peace coming to Ukraine? 11:26

8d ago11:26

11:26

The former chief of MI6, Sir Alex Younger, tells Tom that this is the moment Europe needs to “regain its relationship with hard power”, having been caught on the back foot by an American peace plan widely regarded to have been made in Moscow. As we recorded this bonus episode, Ukraine had just accepted America's modified plan, but Moscow had yet to…

1
Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: Building a Global Tech Hub | Episode 291 7:28

9d ago7:28

7:28

In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ brought viewers to the November TechTuesday for an inside look at Kanata North, Canada’s largest tech park, and its role in making Ottawa a global tech hub. Hosted by Veronica Farmer, the discussion highlighted key investments, innovation, and partnerships that have driven Ottawa’s leadership in technology, def…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 066 - Deterrence And The Need For Strategic Culture In Germany 31:06

14d ago31:06

31:06

This essay examines Germany's lack of strategic culture and its implications for deterrence and security policy. Written in the aftermath of the MSC 2025 and the context of growing geopolitical instability, it highlights how Europe’s reliance on the United States, combined with a weak defence mindset, undermines the ability to deter adversaries. Th…

1
Inside the Pentagon's nuclear war game 35:19

14d ago35:19

35:19

Journalist Annie Jacobsen joins Tom to discuss her bestselling and harrowing book Nuclear War: A Scenario, which maps out in minute-by-minute detail what would happen if a single nuclear missile were launched at the United States. Drawing on rare on-the-record interviews with senior nuclear experts, she reveals how little time a president has to re…

1
Techopia Live: SaaS North 2025: Future-Proofing SaaS in the Age of AI | Episode 290 6:46

15d ago6:46

6:46

Techopia Live was on location at the 10th annual SaaS North Conference in Ottawa, where the city’s tech and business leaders gathered for an energizing two-day conference focused on Future-Proofing SaaS in the Age of AI.Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the event featured conversations with founders, investors, and innovators shaping Ottawa’s tech scene, includ…

1
Can Europe Afford to Defend Itself? Rob Murray on the new Security & Resilience Bank 42:27

20d ago42:27

42:27

Europe faces a strategic reality: deterrence requires more than political will — it requires the ability to finance it. In this episode of the Eastern Frontline podcast, MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Roberts Zīle speak with Rob Murray, the CEO of the Defence, Security & Resilience Bank, a former Head of Innovation at NATO and architect of the NATO Innova…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 065 - AI Enabled Cyberspace Operations 31:11

21d ago31:11

31:11

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the offence–defence balance in cyberspace. Drawing on recent cases (PromptLock ransomware, Auto-Exploit pipelines, and the Air Force’s DASH wargame) and a systematic review of academic articles, this study examines how AI alters tempo, cost, and thresholds in cyberspace operations. Findings show that AI accelera…

1
The Generals vs The Lawyers 39:18

21d ago39:18

39:18

It's warfare or lawfare, but it can't be both. Patrick and Tom chat with General Sir Nick Parker, Patrick's friend and mentor of old, to talk about a letter they and six other four-star Generals signed, calling for an immediate end to retrospective legal cases being brought against former servicemen and women. The cases are not only undermining the…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 064 - Warum Massenproduktion eine Frage der nationalen Sicherheit ist 14:30

28d ago14:30

14:30

Die westliche Sicherheit wird durch eine strukturelle Kluft zwischen Marktanreizen und Verteidigungsbedürfnissen untergraben: Märkte belohnen Effizienz und kurzfristige Margen, während Rüstung und Sicherheit hingegen Redundanz, Resilienz und Skalierung erfordern. Nur großvolumige Fertigung ermöglicht Lernkurven, technologische Führungsfähigkeit und…

1
Meet Skyfall and Poseidon, Putin’s new nuclear threats 28:01

28d ago28:01

28:01

In the space of only three days, President Putin announced the arrival of two new super weapons. Both powered by nuclear reactors, they have no equal in the west. Burevestnik, or Skyfall by its Nato codename, is a low-flying cruise missile with unlimited range and the ability to travel undetected by US defence systems. Poseidon is a torpedo capable…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 063 - Challenges And Opportunities In A Dynamic Cyber Hybrid Landscape 19:22

1M ago19:22

19:22

The cyber threat landscape has grown in scale, sophistication and complexity due to advancements in AI. This evolution can be observed across multiple threat vectors, including cyber-enabled fraud, supply chain attacks, malicious insiders, and disinformation. To fully assess their impact, it is essential to consider their synergistic effects. Meanw…

1
“A cauldron of pressure”, reporting from Ukraine’s frontline 39:30

1M ago39:30

39:30

For three and a half years, BBC correspondent James Waterhouse was the face of the Ukraine war, reporting nightly from Kyiv through air raids, blackouts, and breaking news. In this episode, he joins Tom and Patrick to reflect on the mental and emotional toll of years on the frontline, the strange adjustment to life back home, and the addictive inte…

1
Techopia Live: uOttawa expands Kanata North campus | Episode 289 22:46

1M ago22:46

22:46

Top global tech clusters have strong connections between private sector companies and universities, facilitating the conduct and commercialization of research, the transfer of knowledge, and the sourcing of talent. This vision is taking another step forward with the University of Ottawa’s expanding Kanata North campus.Not only has the campus moved …

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 062 - Nuclear Disarmament & Just Transitions 19:48

1M ago19:48

19:48

With a renewed focus on nuclear stockpiling among certain state actors, there is an urgent need to identify successful pathways for nuclear disarmament. History has demonstrated that this is an achievable goal, with important lessons for contemporary security discourse and policy. The potential lessons extend beyond purely security dividends, with …

1
How does a war over Taiwan play out? 46:36

1M ago46:36

46:36

While trade wars hog the headlines ahead of next week's historic meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, it's the potential of a real, kinetic war over Taiwan that's occupying the minds of military analysts the world over. Xi has called the reunification of Taiwan and China 'inevitable' and necessary for the realisation of his 'China Dream.' B…

1
Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: From Cash to Code – The Future of Digital Finance | Episode 288 6:36

1M ago6:36

6:36

The future of money is digital, and it’s already here.In this episode of Techopia Live, we’re at TechTuesday exploring From Cash to Code: Finance at a Crossroads. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, this discussion dives into how digital currencies, stablecoins, and open banking are transforming the way money moves and how Canada’s financial system is adapting to…

1
A Risk Too Far: The Psychology Behind Operation Market Garden 1:10:40

1M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

In this episode, Dr Gary Buck, author of A Risk Too Far: A Psychological Autopsy of the Planning for Arnhem, joins Dr Huw Dylan to explore the human factors behind one of WWII’s most daring operations. Drawing on his expertise in operational psychology, Dr Buck reveals how stress, ambition and personality shaped the decisions of commanders like Mon…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 061 - Balancing Speed And Stability In The Energy Transition 29:05

2M ago29:05

29:05

The global energy transition faces a fundamental challenge: how to accelerate renewable energy deployment while maintaining systemic stability and social equity. This research examines the principle of "as fast as possible, as slow as necessary" through a qualitative analysis of governance approaches, social acceptance mechanisms, and case studies …

1
Undersea cables: just how close is Russia to causing a catastrophic disaster? 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

While Nato looks up at the skies to Russian drones buzzing its airspace, a far more serious threat lurks below, on our ocean beds. And evidence is mounting that Moscow is already mapping the frontlines in a putative, deniable, attack. As our guest, the former British Defence Secretary, John Hutton, tells Tom, undersea cables are the means by which …

1
Techopia Live: Solon Angel’s latest AI venture Remitian | Episode 287 23:15

2M ago23:15

23:15

Solon Angel, the godfather of AI in Ottawa and beyond, is rapidly scaling his latest venture by embracing the full potential of artificial intelligence.Angel’s latest venture, Remitian, has put AI at the centre of everything it does, from code development and operations to marketing. Remitian serves as a masterclass in building an AI-first business…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 060 - India’s Climate InAction Is Crucial For Global InStability 22:28

2M ago22:28

22:28

India’s climate action trajectory holds immense implications for both national resilience and global climate stability. As the world’s most populous country, with a rapidly expanding economy and a young, skilled workforce, India finds itself at a strategic crossroads. This essay evaluates India’s current mitigation efforts, adaptation vulnerabiliti…

1
What does the military do when a president goes rogue? 32:56

2M ago32:56

32:56

As President Trump orders the Texas National Guard into Chicago, America stands poised on the brink of a constitutional crisis. With troops already stationed in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., critics charge that the president is wielding the military as a political weapon. At the same time, Trump is reshaping the upper ranks of the armed forces,…

1
Techopia Live: What defence spending could mean for Ottawa | Episode 286 11:55

2M ago11:55

11:55

Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to increase Canadian defence spending to two per cent of GDP could present considerable economic opportunities for Ottawa-based companies.The multi-billion dollar commitment goes beyond reinvigorating Canada’s Armed Forces; the Prime Minister aims to use military spending to bolster industrial policy, extending i…

1
Putin’s drones probe Nato's defensive lines 35:38

2M ago35:38

35:38

A wave of drones targeting airports, threatening critical infrastructure and potentially endangering the lives of civilians brought a number of Nato countries briefly to a standstill this past month. The presumed gift of President Putin, this deniable activity was straight out of the Kremlin playbook. But was the primary purpose to disrupt for disr…

1
Inside cyberwarfare: Navigating the digital battlefield 45:59

2M ago45:59

45:59

In this episode, Dr Tim Stevens, co-editor of the Research Handbook on Cyberwarfare, explores the evolving realities of cyber warfare and its growing impact on global security. He discusses the challenges of defining cyberwarfare, tracing its development from early military computing to today’s complex cyber operations across a distinct digital bat…

1
Resilience Beyond the Battlefield: Prof. Ilse Derluyn on Ukraine’s Psychological Future 38:01

2M ago38:01

38:01

In this episode of the Eastern Frontline Podcast, MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Virginijus Sinkevičius speak with Prof. Ilse Derluyn about the hidden side of resilience. The discussion explores the long-term challenges Ukraine and Europe must prepare for — covering the mental health of youth, the post-war reintegration of veterans, and the role of diaspo…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 059 - Dimensions In Defence-Critical Contexts 29:11

2M ago29:11

29:11

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the functioning and interaction of weapon systems and changing how battles are fought. That said, there are still many unresolved questions regarding the safety and security of AI systems. The core concern is that military organisations must adopt a multifaceted approach to effectively manage AI-associated ri…

1
India the new giant: will it be forced to pick a side? 44:15

2M ago44:15

44:15

This week, Patrick and Tom turn their attention to India - the world’s most populous country, a rising military power, and a state determined to hold its ground between East and West. As President Xi Jinping courts Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Washington’s ties with Delhi fray, India’s long-cherished “strategic autonomy” is looking increasingly…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 058 - The Future Of Maritime Interactions In The Age of AI 26:25

3M ago26:25

26:25

Artificial Intelligence is transforming warfare on land, in the air, and above all—for this paper—at sea. AI is not only enhancing non-kinetic dimensions, such as information dominance, cyber operations, and decision-making processes, but is also amplifying the effectiveness of kinetic means. Recent conflicts have demonstrated how AI-enabled system…

1
Whose wars do we care about and why, with war reporter Anthony Loyd 44:40

3M ago44:40

44:40

This week Tom is joined by award-winning war correspondent Anthony Loyd for a special “Journalist & Journalist” edition. Together, they explore why some wars capture global attention while others, equally devastating, remain largely ignored. Drawing on three decades of frontline reporting from the Balkans to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine, Anthony …

1
Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: Pulse Check on Technology in Healthcare Innovation | Episode 285 7:24

3M ago7:24

7:24

Techopia Live was on location at TechTuesday for a thought-provoking panel exploring Pulse Check: Technology’s Role in Healthcare Innovation. Moderated by Wesley Clover International’s Veronica Farmer, the session brought together Ottawa-based leaders who are reimagining how patient-centred care is delivered, scaled, and supported by technology.The…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 057 - The Impact Of Automation On Combat Effectiveness 35:20

3M ago35:20

35:20

This study examines the relationship between the level of automation in warfare and combat effectiveness, focusing on unmanned combat systems (UCS). As the Republic of Korea faces a significant decline in the availability of military personnel due to demographic changes, UCS adoption has become a critical priority. While UCSs are anticipated to sur…

1
Three Years to Prepare: Commissioner Andrius Kubilius on Europe’s Defence Readiness 41:31

3M ago41:31

41:31

In this first episode of the Eastern Frontline Podcast, host MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Katri Kulmuni are joined by European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to discuss the urgent challenges facing Europe’s security. Warning that Russia has the potential to test NATO within three years, Kubilius says improving defence readiness mu…

1
China’s power: Is Xi's strategy to supplant the West working? (Part 2) 40:42

3M ago40:42

40:42

This week, Patrick and Tom turn from China’s military power to its less visible, but no less powerful, tools of economic dominance. Their guest, Sam Olsen is a geopolitical strategist with decades of experience studying China who argues that the West’s reliance on Chinese supply chains isn’t just about cheap consumer goods, but runs through the ver…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 056 - Describing The Security Cooperation Dilemma 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

This paper explores the persistent tensions within U.S. security cooperation, where efforts to build partner capacity often collide with the realities of sovereignty, hierarchy, and risk. Although designed to enhance global stability, security cooperation initiatives frequently impose on partner autonomy, revealing the hierarchical nature of the in…

1
China’s power: The PLA vs the USA (Part 1) 52:13

3M ago52:13

52:13

The People’s Liberation Army put on one of the largest military displays in China’s modern history this week as the country marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Second World War. Accompanied by Presidents Putin and Kim Jong Un, President Xi Jinping showed the world the might of the CCP’s forces, but China-watchers disagree over j…

1
The untold story of Chinese naval officers in D-Day 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

In this episode, Professor Andrew Lambert FKC, Laughton Professor of Naval History, Geoff Browell, Head of Heritage Collections, and Angus Hui, curator of the D-Day Hong Kong, explore the untold story of 24 Chinese naval officers who trained with the Royal Navy during World War II and took part in the D-Day landings.Angus discusses the fascinating …

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 055 - Excruciation Of Prisoners of War – State Policy Of Russia 25:40

3M ago25:40

25:40

With each passing day, the amount of verified information regarding violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by the Russian Federation continues to grow. One of the most striking examples of the Russian Federation’s disregard for its international obligations is its treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). These violatio…

1
The story of Ukraine's heroic 'Iron People' 32:52

3M ago32:52

32:52

This week, Tom and Patrick take you inside Ukraine’s railways, the country’s lifeline since the full-scale Russian invasion began. With over 20,000 kilometres of track, they’ve evacuated millions, ferried troops and supplies to the front, and turned carriages into mobile hospitals. At the heart of this effort is Oleksandr Pertsovski, the CEO of Ukr…

1
The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 054 - Rethinking Defence In Taiwan 19:18

4M ago19:18

19:18

Taiwan must rethink its defence strategy due to a rising threat from China’s overwhelming military and industrial capabilities. However, Taiwan faces critical imbalances in troop strength, defence budgets, and technological infrastructure, emphasising the need for an asymmetric approach to deterrence. In this respect, Taiwan could draw lessons from…

1
Why Trump doesn't understand Putin, with Gen Sir Nick Carter 38:24

4M ago38:24

38:24

Sir Patrick's away this week, so Tom persuaded another four-star General, the UK's former Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Nick Carter, to join him instead. They discuss whether, in the wake of the Alaska summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, and Europe's mad dash to DC to see off its worst effects, a so-called 'Non-NATO Article 5-style' securi…