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School of War

The Free Press
Iran
China
World War II
Ukraine
United States
Russia
Israel
Taiwan
Vietnam War
Venezuela
Military History
Hamas
Strait Of Hormuz
Iraq War
Geopolitics
National Security
Trump Administration
U.S. Military
Middle East
U.S. Marine Corps

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 former senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor a... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes336Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for School of War

Latest Episodes

Is the tank obsolete? As drones and precision strikes transform modern battlefields, some have predicted that armored vehicles may soon meet the fate of the cavalry charge. Today on School of War, Colonel Jose A. Reyes and Lieutenant Colonel David “C... more

As war in Ukraine grinds towards its fifth year and tensions strain the transatlantic alliance, former British prime minister Boris Johnson says he remains convinced that the West has the power to prevail: “Putin has got to lose.” Today, Johnson join... more

As the American right and left are increasingly pulled toward their ideological extremes, many politicians have chosen to appease the loudest voices in their coalitions even when those voices flirt with or openly embrace antisemitism. Senator Ted Cru... more

YouTube

Yuri Fedorenko has spent four years turning a volunteer rifle company into the 429th “Achilles” Brigade, one of the most lethal units in Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Today, he joins School of War to discuss how the battlefield has evolved since Russia’... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2019-2022)
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Episode: Boris Johnson on Why Europe and America Still Need Each Other
Ted Cruz
Senator from Texas, chair of the Commerce Committee
United States Senate
Episode: Ted Cruz’s Plan to Bring Down Iran’s Regime—and Tucker Carlson
Yuri Fedorenko
Commander of the Achilles Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Force (Ukraine)
Ukrainian Defense Forces, Achilles Brigade, Unmanned Systems Force
Episode: Ukraine’s Top Drone Commander on What the Pentagon Keeps Missing
Aidan Stretch
CBS News international reporter based in Kyiv, Ukraine
CBS News
Episode: What It’s Really Like Inside Ukraine in 2026, with Aidan Stretch
Ben Milligan
Navy SEAL veteran, historian, and author of By Water Beneath the Wall, The Rise of the Navy SEALs
Author and historian
Episode: The Rise of the Navy SEALs, with Ben Milligan
Jonathan Swan
White House reporter for The New York Times covering the Trump administration
The New York Times
Episode: How Trump Decided to Go to War with Iran, with Jonathan Swan
James Diggle
Emeritus Professor of Greek and Latin, Cambridge University
Cambridge University
Episode: ‘The Odyssey’ and the Search for Historical Truth, with James Diggle and John Underhill
John Underhill
Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Transition; Professor in Geoscience and Energy Transition
Aberdeen University
Episode: ‘The Odyssey’ and the Search for Historical Truth, with James Diggle and John Underhill
Vance Serchuk
Executive Director of the KKR Global Institute; former Senior National Security Advisor to Senator Lieberman
KKR Global Institute; Hoover Institution
Episode: Lindsey Graham: The Last of the ‘Three Amigos’ with Vance Serchuk

Host

Aaron MacLean
CBS News National Security Analyst and former Hudson Institute fellow; host of School of War, focusing on lessons of war and contemporary strategic dynamics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • School of Battle, War & Peace

    We can win the existential battles & wars - Civil War & WWII.

    Korea was a tie.

    We do not have a bipartisan national grand strategy for non-existential wars. Which shows our bad record of winning all the battles but losing the war (& peace): WWI, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq…Iran?

    We excel in the military part of diMe, but the M without coordination with the other elements d, i & e of national power, is not enough to win the war.

    We need to excel at the 3 other elements of national power - d... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    another RJF
    United States2 months ago
  • Zionist propaganda

    Garbage

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jdfnbekeuf fm
    Canada2 months ago
  • Interesting Conversations, Insanely Hawkish

    Compared to other podcasts that discuss defense related issues, the guests of this show seem to always advocate for maximalist approaches that advocate for use of force as a solution to almost all problems. It’s a lot of knowledgae and interesting conversation underscored by a bevy of assumptions and ideology that feels very black and white. Worth a listen, but take everything with a grain of salt.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TheWatchGuard1
    United States2 months ago
  • Great show

    Yeah, they’re great show, but Jake Sullivan is not worth listening to. He does not understand how to deal with Iran and he got to prove that for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevinneedstheword
    United States2 months ago
  • School of Poor

    Good luck buddy, our lunch has been eaten, it will take a big push.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    WilderLander
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Great guests and rigorous questioning that draws out actionable ideas.
Can be polarizing depending on guest viewpoints, but consistently informative.
Engaging and thoughtful, though some episodes feel very policy‑heavy for casual listeners.
High level of expertise; guests consistently illuminate complex security issues.
Insightful, balanced discussion with strong historical context.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#74
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#132
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#48
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#110
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#147
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ukraine’s Top Drone Commander on What the Pentagon Keeps Missing
Q: What should the American audience understand about the war in Ukraine that they may not appreciate from a distance?
He stresses the need for a multi-domain approach beyond drones, including air defense and missiles, and argues for international support in experienced personnel and effective technology transfer to sustain Ukraine's defense.
Ukraine’s Top Drone Commander on What the Pentagon Keeps Missing
Q: What are the most important tools or mechanisms that allow Rubicon to win, and how are you thinking about defeating them as this fight develops?
He outlines Rubicon's emphasis on logistics disruption and reconnaissance, the advantages of greater personnel and equipment, and the ongoing duel with their subunits, with Ukraine focusing on proactive positioning and countermeasures to regain initiative.
Ukraine’s Top Drone Commander on What the Pentagon Keeps Missing
Q: You seem like a young guy. Tell me about yourself. Tell me what you were doing before the war.
Fedorenko explains his background, including serving in the National Guard and his path into politics and military leadership, culminating in his role commanding the Achilles Brigade before and during the war.
Ted Cruz’s Plan to Bring Down Iran’s Regime—and Tucker Carlson
Q: What is your stance on regime change and how should the U.S. approach Iran going forward?
He states that the objective should be regime collapse, supports continuous economic warfare and military pressure, opposes military occupation, and advocates arming protesters as a pathway to change, while warning against empowering theocratic regimes with vast new revenues.
One Battle of Hormuz After Another, with Sal Mercogliano
Q: What do you see as the major scenarios for the second half of 2026 in relation to the Strait and global shipping?
Expect a continuation of competition between Iran's control of the Strait and international trade, with trade volumes likely remaining below pre-war levels but with more expensive, guarded routes and increased defense spending by Gulf states; the US may reevaluate its naval presence while Europe and Asia adjust to higher costs and risk in global shipping.

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?

Across recent episodes, the show offers high‑level national security and geopolitical analysis with a focus on great‑power competition, defense policy, and modern warfare. Conversations frequently cover Ukraine, Iran, naval strategy, and the geopolitics of choke points, often weaving in historical context and practical policy implications. Noteworthy is the mix of former officials, military historians, and policy experts, plus sponsor integrations that underscore tech and defense applications. The host's interviewing style aims to extract actionable takeaways for policymakers, defense professionals, and informed listeners who want to understand how strategy plays out on the front lines and in global markets.

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Which podcasts are similar to School of War?

These podcasts share a similar audience with School of War:

1. Irregular Warfare Podcast
2. War on the Rocks
3. Breaking History
4. Modern War Institute
5. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics

How many episodes of School of War are there?

School of War launched 5 years ago and published 336 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on School of War?

Recent guests on School of War include:

1. Boris Johnson
2. Ted Cruz
3. Yuri Fedorenko
4. Aidan Stretch
5. Ben Milligan
6. Jonathan Swan
7. James Diggle
8. John Underhill

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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