The return of war in Europe and its fallout on the European security architecture highlighted the need for EU member states to invest more and better in harmonising their national defences. As security becomes one of the EU's most strategic areas of engagement, common defence policies are a priority to ensure the bloc's resilience and effectiveness in facing our century's most pressing security challenges.
StrategicALLY is a podcast by Finabel, a European think tank promoting the cooperation and interoperability of land forces among its member states. Joined by their guests, Gaia Durante Mangoni and Patricia Bernardo break down the latest European defence and security developments by fostering a common European understanding of defence issues.
Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Publisher
Finabel - The European Land Force Commanders Organisation
On this episode of the StrategicALLY podcast Finabel Director, Mr Mario Blokken sat down with DG EUMS, Lt. General Michiel Van der Laan for an eye-opening discussion regarding the military capabilities of the European Union, its present situation, and its future goals. Finabel was invited to the EEAS Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) branch by the Director General of the European Union Military Staff (DG EUMS) to discuss the upcoming European military exercise, MILEX 26, taking place across Europe with a live exercise, LIVEX 26, in Spain in the coming week.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Jul 2025
Innovation Meets Operations: AI, Unmanned Systems, and European Defence Readiness
In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Livia Perrulli and Simon Perrin de Brichambaut are joined by Yves Augustus, founder of the European defence tech company STARK and former officer in the Belgian Army. With a background spanning engineering, defence, and business development, Mr. Augustus brings a unique perspective on how Europe can bridge capability gaps through innovation.
We explore how the private sector can better respond to the operational needs of armed forces, the potential of AI-powered unmanned systems, and what capabilities are still lacking across European defence. Mr. Augustus also shares his views on transatlantic innovation gaps, lessons from U.S. initiatives like the Replicator program, and how EU defence investments could reshape industrial readiness.
Tune in as we discuss how responsible innovation and military insight can drive strategic resilience and strengthen Europe’s position in a competitive global landscape.
Podcast edited by Livia Perrulli.
For more information about STARK and its work, visit their website (https://stark-defence.com/) and follow Yves Augustus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvesaugustus/) on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Finabel by visiting the official website (https://finabel.org/) and following us on our social media platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 May 2025
Wargames and Beyond: How NATO Prepares for Modern Conflict
In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Livia Perrulli and Nicola Bonsegna are joined by Major Stephen Nelson, Simulation Officer at the U.S. Army Futures Command and former Program Director for NATO’s Next Generation Modelling and Simulation. Together, we explored the strategic use of modelling, simulation, and wargaming in NATO.
We discuss how these tools support defence foresight, operational readiness, and multinational cooperation. Major Nelson shares insights on NATO’s efforts to build a common synthetic environment, enhance interoperability among Allies, and embrace new technologies such as AI, digital twins, and cloud-based platforms.
Tune in as we unpack how simulations and wargames help prepare commanders for modern conflict and inform real-world decision-making.
Podcast edited by Livia Perrulli.
For more information abour wargaming and M&S, follow Major Nelson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-n-3435681bb/) on his LinkedIn.
Learn more about Finabel by visiting the official website (https://finabel.org/) and following us on our social media platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Apr 2025
The Role of Space in European Security and Defence
In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Doğa Sultan Önaçan and Manuel Dias are joined by Colonel Marcin Mazur from the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) to explore the evolving role of space in European security. We discuss space warfare, dual-use technologies, and the EU's path to strategic autonomy in space. Colonel Mazur shares valuable insights on the challenges Europe faces in protecting space assets and advancing space capabilities. Topics covered include the weaponization of orbital debris, the development of military space vehicle technology, and the EU's efforts in achieving autonomous space access. Tune in as we discuss how Europe is positioning itself to secure the future of its space domain.
Podcast edited by Livia Perrulli.
For more information on the Polish Space Agency, visit POLSA's official website (https://polsa.gov.pl/en/).
Learn more about Finabel by visiting Finabel's official website (https://www.finabel.org/) and following us on our social channels.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Jan 2025
European Military Support for Ukraine
In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Zsigmond Tar and Katharina Brzuska discuss with Gustav Gressel, an expert in Eastern Europe, Russia and in military affairs, the European military support for Ukraine. Drawing from valuable experience at the Austrian Ministry of Defence and the European Council on Foreign Relations, he offers details on the current situation in Ukraine and explains how the war has evolved through nearly three years. As we address areas such as the coordination of arms deliveries, the role of advanced weapons and drone warfare, this episode aims to provide insight into the challenges Ukraine faces in maintaining its defence and sovereignty. The sounds for this podcast were edited by Irina Antonescu.
References:
Gressel, G. (2024, January 18). “Beyond the counter-offensive: Attrition, stalemate, and the future of war in Ukraine”, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
https://ecfr.eu/publication/beyond-the-counter-offensive-attrition-stalemate-and-the-future-of-the-war-in-ukraine/#how-europeans-can-assist-ukraine (https://ecfr.eu/publication/beyond-the-counter-offensive-attrition-stalemate-and-the-future-of-the-war-in-ukraine/#how-europeans-can-assist-ukraine)
Gressel, G. (2024, November 15). Der Untergang: As Trump returns, Putin will reap the rewards of Europe’s inaction on Ukraine. ECFR; European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
https://ecfr.eu/article/der-untergang-as-trump-returns-putin-will-reap-the-rewards-of-europes-inaction-on-ukraine/ (https://ecfr.eu/article/der-untergang-as-trump-returns-putin-will-reap-the-rewards-of-europes-inaction-on-ukraine/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Dec 2024
AI and Geoeconomics: Understanding Europe’s Security Landscape
StrategicALLY hosts Belén Padrón Salinas and Zsigmond Tar interview Heiko Borchert, a leading expert on geoeconomics and AI, to uncover the modernization of European militaries and the implications for defense industries.
21 Nov 2024
European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy
RAND Europe's Paul van Hooft shares expert insights on the evolving dynamics of European security, NATO enlargement, and the shifting focus of American foreign policy in an increasingly multipolar world.
9 Jul 2024
Is Conscription Returning to Europe?
Since the end of the Cold War, most European countries have suspended compulsory military service, reducing their militaries to a relatively small force of volunteers. The consequences of the cuts to military budgets have become more apparent following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While only 9 out of the 27 Member States of the EU have compulsory military service today, developing highly professional armed forces capable of conducting multinational complex operations has become a huge challenge.
In the second episode of StrategicALLY, Gaia Durante Mangoni is joined by Sophia Besch, a Senior Fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They discuss whether we are witnessing a comeback of mandatory military service in Europe and the main conscription challenges for European countries. They explore how states are reshaping their military service models to make them more attractive and fit for this new era of collective defence. They also look at concrete examples of how conscription is particularly successful today, including Finland and Sweden.
For more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out Sophia Besch's latest publication on Europe’s Conscription Challenge: Lessons From Nordic and Baltic States (https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/07/europes-conscription-challenge-lessons-from-nordic-and-baltic-states?lang=en).
The news clips in this episode are taken from: video “Compulsory military service back on the table in Europe as war rages in Ukraine” published on the Youtube channel of FRANCE 24 English on 28 May 2024; video “Denmark announces compulsory military service for women too” published on DW News’ Youtube channel on 15 March 2024.
Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Jun 2024
Does Diplomacy Still Have a Chance in Ukraine?
Between the 15th and the 16th of June 2024, delegations from nearly 100 countries gathered in Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland to discuss a path to peace in Ukraine. While Russia and its key ally China were not there, most participants reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the core principles of international law in the final communique.
In the second episode of StrategicALLY, Gaia Durante Mangoni and Patricia Bernardo are joined by Andreas Umland, Senior Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies and a research fellow at the Swedish Institute for International Studies, to talk about the outcomes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland and its significance for future diplomatic efforts. They assess how successful this conference was for Kyiv and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s efforts to rally the support of as many countries as possible for its peace formula. They also analyse the current situation on the battlefield and the implications of Ukraine's Western allies easing restrictions on the use of certain weapons. Finally, they examine the nuclear risks of this war and Russia’s peace plan.
Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Jun 2024
Will these European elections build the momentum for a European common defence?
As we enter the 2024 European elections voting weekend, defence and security is one of the main campaign issues for voters.
In the first episode of Finabel’s brand-new podcast, the hosts Gaia Durante Mangoni and Patricia Bernardo are joined by Thomas Tindemans, chairman of the strategic communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton, to discuss why European common defence and security should be on every European citizen’s mind when heading to the polls. Thomas, Gaia and Patricia explain why a vote that recognises the potential of a more coordinated military approach is important. They also stress why having representatives in the European Parliament who promote interoperability can overall improve the EU’s effectiveness in navigating an increasingly volatile security environment.
Edited and produced by Gaia Durante Mangoni.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact StrategicALLY
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of StrategicALLY?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
