As we approach the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with conflicts like Ukraine still raging, we’re diving into the complex question of how wars truly end. Joined by Major General Andrew Sharpe, leader of CHACR, the British Army’s think tank; Matthias Strohn, a German academic and Bundeswehr colonel blending history and strategy; and Andrew Stewart, CHACR’s conflict analysis expert, we unpack the messy paths to peace.

From Germany’s stark post-World War II reset, where deterrence became key, to the blurred outcomes of Iraq and Afghanistan, we explore why victory often feels like a mirage. Ukraine’s war, rooted in centuries-old tensions, reminds us that some conflicts don’t resolve—they merely pause. In this episode, our discussion challenges us to rethink what peace means when history keeps resurfacing, demanding we confront the past’s enduring grip.

Key moments

• 05:32 - Clausewitzian Insights on War and Policy
• 13:25 - German Perspectives on Post-War Reconciliation
• 21:20 - Defining War vs. Conflict in Modern Context
• 35:09 - Challenges of Ending Modern Wars of Choice
• 46:22 - Rebuilding Societies After Conflict
• 56:49 - Ukraine and the Complexity of Ceasefires
• 01:04:01 - National Interests and Utopianism in Global Conflicts