Talking Strategy

About Talking Strategy

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, military and business leaders are seeking to maximise the value they gain from scarce resources by becoming more 'strategic'. Standing on the shoulders of the giants of strategy from the past helps us see further and more clearly into the future. This series is aimed at those looking to learn more about strategy and how to become more strategic – leaders, practitioners and scholars. 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, where they came from and what shaped those whose ideas shape us now. By exploring the concepts in which we and our adversaries think today, the episodes will shine a light on how we 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.

Publisher

Royal United Services Institute

Category

history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jul 2022

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

46 of 103 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   S7E2: What Does a Return to Realpolitik Mean? With Professor John Bew

   Host [Host Name] interviews Professor John Bew CMG of King's College London about the true origins and modern implications of "realpolitik" in international relations.

2. 

   22 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   S7E1: Avoiding Strategic Surprise: Lessons from NATO with Dr Florence Gaub

   NATO expert Dr. Florence Gaub explains how strategic foresight helps anticipate and avoid surprise, offering actionable insights for navigating uncertainty.

3. 

   14 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   S6E22: Delivering National Security Strategies

   Sir Mark Lyall Grant, former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor, explains how fracturing international order challenges Western security strategy delivery in this interview.

Inside a recent episode

S7E2: What Does a Return to Realpolitik Mean? With Professor John Bew

Published 6 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And then there are obvious heroes or anti-heroes, depending on your perspective in that story. You could talk about Machiavelli, you could talk about Cardinal Richler, you could talk about Castlereagh and Metternich at the time of the Congress of Vienna, Bismarck, right through to the 20th century figures like Henry Kissinger or George Kennan. And by the way, interestingly, people like Henry Kissinger and George Kennan reflected on some of that history and thought back there. So there's an obvious tradition of statecraft that's sometimes set up as a counterbalance to a more universalist or values-led approach to statecraft. […]

Who has been a guest on Talking Strategy

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Bew
• Florence Gaub
• Mark Lyall Grant
• Jack Watling
• Olivier Schmitt

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

27 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

96 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

92

Contact Talking Strategy

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Talking Strategy