Facing Coming Storms: Talking International Defence

Conversation with Professor Nikolas Gvosdev.

The Curtain Falls: The Decline of America’s Global Consensus 

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Nikolas Gvosdev of the US Naval War College, a leading expert in European and Russian international relations. Two months into 2025, with a new US president in office, we explore the shifting global order as America rethinks its traditional role.

Nikolas offers sharp insights into how allies are adapting, while rivals like China wield their technological and shipbuilding strength to tip the scales. We discuss Ukraine’s defensive resilience, Europe’s push to lead—especially on Ukraine—and growing American scepticism about funding global security.

Key moments:

7:45 – US Policy Shift: Insights from Munich Security Conference

20:36 – Allies Adapting to US Retrenchment

27:48 – The ‘Iron Dome’: A New Era of US Defence Strategy

31:37 – Germany and Japan: Emerging Power Dynamics

36:44 – Ukraine’s Future Role in European Security

Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Podcast also available on PocketCasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and RSS.

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The Podcast

Facing Coming Storms is the new international defence podcast from the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research and the Project for the Study of the 21st Century.
From confrontation to conflict, join us each Monday for insightful discussions, conversations, and expert analysis.

Facing Coming Storms is produced by Urban Podcasts.

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