School of War

The Free Press

China

World War II

Ukraine

John Boyd

Artificial Intelligence

Maneuver Warfare

OODA Loop

Hamas

World War I

Iran

Gaza

Russia

Gulf War

Israel

Chinese Communist Party

Military Strategy

Russian Federation

American Deterrence

Nuclear Strategy

Manstein

In School of War, CBS News National Security Analyst and Free Press columnist Aaron MacLean sits down with secretaries of state, top military historians, war planners, and key political decision-makers to help understand the lessons of war. Tune in as School of War takes you to the front lines. Aaron MacLean is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor and legi... more

1.2k ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	298	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	BooksHistoryArts

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Latest Episodes

How Trump’s Blockade of Iran Actually Works with Sal Mercogliano

Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins the show once again to discuss the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz imposed by United States Central Command. How ... more

Yesterday • 43 min

YouTube

The Strategic View From the Baltic Sea with General Michael Claesson

General Michael Claesson is Sweden’s Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. How did Russia’s annexation of Crimea change Sweden’s global strategy? Is Russia weaker than it appears? How strong is the American allianc... more

14 Apr 2026 • 47 min

Danger Lurks In J.D. Vance’s Negotiations with Iran

Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? Wh... more

9 Apr 2026 • 42 min

YouTube

Is the Strait of Hormuz Closed Forever? with Sal Mercogliano

Sal Mercogliano, professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins us to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait ... more

7 Apr 2026 • 57 min

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Aaron MacLean

CBS News National Security Analyst and Free Press columnist; host of School of War

The Free Press / CBS News

Episode: Trump Says We’re ‘Winning’ in Iran. It’s More Complicated.

Eyck Freymann

Hoover Institution fellow, author of Defending Taiwan, a Strategy to Prevent War with China

Hoover Institution

Episode: Even as America Fights Iran, It’s Not Ready for China—with Eyck Freymann

John Spencer

Executive Director of the Urban Warfare Institute, retired U.S. Army Major

Urban Warfare Institute

Episode: How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer

Rich Goldberg

Navy Intelligence Officer, Senior Advisor at Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Navy Reserve

Episode: Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich Goldberg and Garrett Exner

Garrett Exner

Marine Corps veteran, Adjunct Fellow at Hudson Institute

Hudson Institute

Episode: Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich Goldberg and Garrett Exner

Niall Ferguson

Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution; columnist at The Free Press; biographer of Henry Kissinger

Hoover Institution; The Free Press

Episode: Did Trump Miscalculate on Iran? with Niall Ferguson

Zineb Riboua

Research Fellow, Hudson Institute Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East

Hudson Institute

Episode: Can Trump Beat China by Winning In Iran? with Zineb Riboua

Ray Takeyh

Senior fellow with expertise on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations

Episode: Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh

Mark Montgomery

Rear Admiral, United States Navy, retired

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Episode: How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery

Host

Aaron MacLean

Host with a background as a foreign policy advisor and legislative director, with experience in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings

Great conversation s
I’m new to this pod so I have a lot to catchup on.
The conversation with Zineb Riboua was amazing. She’s incredibly well thought out.
Apple Podcasts
5
SchipperkeFan
United Statesa month ago
Smart, detailed, thoughtful, interesting
Thanks Aaron. Your podcast is an invaluable source of real news, smart analysis, and nuanced perspectives typically unavailable elsewhere.
Apple Podcasts
5
AU/AG
United Statesa month ago
Apocalyptic Awareness
What is the line between nation-state and proxy. Mark Montgomery claims Iran has killed 1,000 Americans. How many Americans have been killed via domestic business (pollution), domestic crime (politics), and our military in training (power)? Seems like it is obvious, and it’s way over 1,000. A war with our own businesses, citizens, and military seems crazy, but it’s worth it with Iran for these reasons?! Aaron, you got a company man on your podcast who would go down with the ship before being cri... more
Apple Podcasts
2
WilderLander
United Statesa month ago
Interesting and informative.
Smart guests and knowledgeable interviewer. Never disappointing.
Aaron MacLean has really come into his own with choice of topics and guests.
Latest episode with David Shedd is absolutely fascinating.
Apple Podcasts
5
Peb Pab
United States3 months ago
Obama/Trump Redline Iranian Government Should Not Violently Crackdown Against Protesters
I’m afraid that the US encouraged Iranian civilians to protest, President Obama during the Arab Spring and now with PresidentTrump.
I think the Iranian Theocracy’s talks are a delaying tactic so they can violently put down the anti-government protesters.
So far the Iranian government has already killed about 560 protesters as of 1/12/2026. How many more have to die before the President feels the Iranian government crosses the redline?
No boots on ground, but bombing as many Iranian Revolut... more
Apple Podcasts
5
another RJF
United States3 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners describe the show as highly informative with insightful guests and thorough analyses of military history and current events.

The diversity of guests contributes to rich content, making it valuable for those interested in understanding military strategy and history.

The host is praised for deep knowledge and engaging interviewing style, but some express concern about perceived biases in the discussion.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify	#46	United States/History
Apple Podcasts	#32	United States/History
Apple Podcasts	#61	Canada/History
Apple Podcasts	#70	United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts	#62	Australia/History
Apple Podcasts	#68	Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump Says We’re ‘Winning’ in Iran. It’s More Complicated.

Q: What were the main takeaways from the president's speech about escalation or de-escalation?

The guest suggests the speech left questions about timing and scope, signaling potential escalation if no deal is reached, while also leaving room for diplomatic channels to persist, with a focus on the Strait of Hormuz as an enduring flashpoint.

Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh

Q: Could there be a Venezuela-style reform or a renewed revolution?

A Venezuela-like deal is conceivable as a diplomatic exit, but it would require meaningful concessions and verification; a full overthrow seems unlikely given the regime's multi-layered, decentralized structure, but ongoing protests and elite defections could still destabilize the system and redraw the balance of power over time.

Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh

Q: How might Mojtaba survive as the new leader, domestically and internationally?

Mojtaba inherits an economy and political system strained by corruption and protests; his lack of broad political experience and religious erudition could lead to a weaker initial consolidation, with potential for coalition governance and reliance on the Revolutionary Guards, while international factors—such as American and Israeli pressure—will shape how durable any transition proves to be.

Did the Islamic Revolution Succeed? And Can It Survive? with Ray Takeyh

Q: What was the Islamic Revolution about?

The revolution grew from a mix of economic inequality, elite corruption, and a failure of the monarchy to address popular demands, but it was sustained by a broader cultural and religious revival and a decisive move by security organs and segments of the state to shift loyalty away from the Shah, allowing the uprising to cascade into regime change.

Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad

Q: I want to start with how a nice young man growing up in Israel, studious, interested in the world, joins the Mossad. How does that come to pass?

The guest explains a personal arc from a religious family, through military service and an undercover recruitment process, to joining Mossad and eventually rising to leadership, highlighting how early experiences shaped his approach and the agency's emphasis on mission clarity and persistence.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About School of War

What is School of War about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content primarily revolves around military history, strategic theory, and foreign policy as informed by historical precedents. Through in-depth interviews, the discussions explore the decisions made by key figures in governmental and military contexts, focusing on both ancient and modern conflicts. Unique insights are drawn from notable guests including historians, policymakers, and former military leaders, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of how historical events shape contemporary strategies. There's a clear emphasis on analyzing contributors to wartime decision-making, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of history, military strategy, and policy analysis.

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Which podcasts are similar to School of War?

These podcasts share a similar audience with School of War:

1. War on the Rocks
2. Irregular Warfare Podcast
3. Modern War Institute
4. NatSec Matters
5. Net Assessment

How many episodes of School of War are there?

School of War launched 5 years ago and published 298 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact School of War?

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What guests have appeared on School of War?

Recent guests on School of War include:

1. Aaron MacLean
2. Eyck Freymann
3. John Spencer
4. Rich Goldberg
5. Garrett Exner
6. Niall Ferguson
7. Zineb Riboua
8. Ray Takeyh

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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