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School of War

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

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 weeklyEpisodes355Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

During the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Communist Party purged Xi Jinping’s father and subjected him to 16 years of persecution and imprisonment—so how did the current president of China emerge more devoted to the party than ever? “It’s like a co... more

In the Baltics, war with Russia is no abstraction. Putin could take Lithuania’s capital if he achieved surprise, the nation’s army commander told Aaron MacLean. This week, Aaron travels through Lithuania and Latvia to speak with Brigadier General Ner... more

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America is running low on munitions, its shipyards can’t keep pace, and the materials its weapons depend on too often run through China. Michael Cadenazzi is the Pentagon official charged with turning that around, putting billions of dollars behind t... more

A young researcher in Siberia has died under mysterious circumstances, raising questions about a potential lab leak. Russia won’t say how it happened. Marshall Billingslea, former Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control, says Moscow has scrubbed ... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Oren
Former Israeli ambassador to the United States; historian and author
Israel
Episode: Michael Oren: October 7 and the Cost of Defending Israel
Alexander Bick
Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School; Miller Center fellow; Hoover Institution fellow; author of Minutes of Empire
University of Virginia; Miller Center; Hoover Institution
Episode: What the Dutch Empire Reveals About America Today
Simon Sebag Montefiore
Author of The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East
Author
Episode: How the Middle East Got So Screwed Up, with Simon Sebag Montefiore
Alex Wong
Global Chief Strategy Officer
Hanwha Group
Episode: America’s Aging Shipyards Are a Crisis Waiting to Happen
Imtiaz Tyab
Senior Foreign Correspondent for CBS News
CBS News
Episode: The Middle East After America?
Ian Brown
War game analyst and author of A New Conception of War, John Boyd, The US Marines and Maneuver Warfare
Author and analyst
Episode: Why John Boyd Still Matters
HR McMaster
Lieutenant General, former National Security Advisor
Hoover Institution; Arizona State University
Episode: ‘We Are Going to War’: H.R. McMaster Remembers 9/11
Dr. Zach Krevor
President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratolaunch
Stratolaunch
Episode: Ten-Minute Warning: The Hypersonic Threat
Brendan Simms
Founder and Director of the Center for Geopolitics at Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
Episode: What to Expect When You’re Expecting Great Power Conflict

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 1.4k ratings
  • Not Just for the Military

    I’ve never served and I’m not a particularly keen student of military history, but despite the title that doesn’t affect my enjoyment of the show. Aaron and his guests break things down in a way that someone like me can understand. It’s also a history show, too! Fascinating content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedbirdCraig
    United States2 months ago
  • Disappointed in new direction

    Have been listening to this show for a couple of years, and while unsurprising, I am disappointed in the Bari Weissification of this show that has occurred. The show has become overtly partisan in favor of neoconservative views and maximalist interventionist policies rather than focusing on what should be non-partisan military affairs, history, and technology. I will not be continuing to listen to this show if the blatantly partisan slant of allowing partisan actors a mouthpiece with zero pushba... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Zachattack895
    United States2 months ago
  • Sliding into propaganda

    The show started strong years ago. Became a propaganda machine over the last year. I’m sure money is a driver.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ben1736372
    United States2 months ago
  • No analysis at alll

    Just listened to the Ted Cruz episode. What happened to examining the subject? The interviewer just accepted Cruz’s long list of nonsense, the ‘Democrats are Communist’, how to stop the Iran war….arm the protesters. How can we do that, well no idea because the interviewer just accepted his rambling and carried on. That episode wasn’t serious journalism or research, stick to history you’re way batter at that.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    lemon_jelly
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • The Stuff of Legends

    Thoughtful and interesting analyses of military history cogently applied to the present day. This podcast is exceptionally good.

    Aaron’s verbal abstemiousness is noteworthy: “School of War” is a unicorn—a programme genuinely centred upon the guests, whom Aaron actually lets speak. His follow-ups are well-judged, often taking listeners in interesting directions. To his credit, vanishingly few podcasters have the restraint and personal humility to carry all this off (more often they find some way... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom3 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
#57
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#113
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#156
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#131
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#19
Israel/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What the Dutch Empire Reveals About America Today
Q: What lessons from the Dutch model are relevant to modern U.S. policy?
Key lessons include the fusion of commercial and military aims, the value of state participation in guiding major strategic enterprises, and the importance of maintaining legitimacy and governance structures that integrate private initiative with public objectives, while being mindful of transparency and accountability.
What the Dutch Empire Reveals About America Today
Q: What was the governance structure of the West India Company and how did it interact with the Dutch state?
The company combined private merchant interests with state oversight, featuring a board that included representatives from various provinces and a States General representative, which allowed the state to influence strategic decisions while merchants managed day-to-day operations, albeit with debates over centralized control and the balance of power.
Michael Oren: October 7 and the Cost of Defending Israel
Q: What has changed about Israel since October 7th, 2023, and what has stayed the same?
Israel has undergone deep security and political transformations, including a hardening stance against large terrorist threats at its borders, a re-evaluation of conscription for ultra-Orthodox communities, and a shifting regional posture. However, the fundamental imperative to defend the state and safeguard its people remains constant, shaping both policy and public will.
The Middle East After America?
Q: How did the experience of reporting on Afghanistan shape your view of the Taliban and the future for Afghan girls?
Tyab reflects on the persistent courage of Afghan girls in secret schools, the symbolism of letters to the world, and the ongoing tension between the Taliban's governance and the rights and safety of women and girls, emphasizing that the horizon of possible progress remains fragile but real.
The Middle East After America?
Q: What is the Mecca Pact and how might it reshape regional security?
Imtiaz Tyab explains that the pact involves cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, with each country pursuing its own strategic interests while signaling a tougher, more independent regional posture that could still rely on US weapons and technology but seeks to reduce the US footprint.

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

How many episodes of School of War are there?

School of War launched 5 years ago and published 355 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. Michael Oren
2. Alexander Bick
3. Simon Sebag Montefiore
4. Alex Wong
5. Imtiaz Tyab
6. Ian Brown
7. HR McMaster
8. Dr. Zach Krevor

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