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Artwork for School of War

School of War

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

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 weeklyEpisodes361Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for School of War

Latest Episodes

Is it a plane or a helicopter? The MV-22 Osprey has features from both, but that’s not what makes it one of the most controversial aircraft in the American military. Its history of deadly crashes has earned it a reputation as a dangerous machine, but... more

YouTube

Reporting from northern Israel, Aaron sits down with two unidentified Israeli army officers and Druze community leader Tamir Murad to explore the threats facing the country’s northern frontier. From drones changing the battlefield to the plight of Sy... more

YouTube

Will Iran cost Republicans the midterms? What happens when half of the GOP turns against Israel? Middle East expert Mike Doran returns to School of War for a wide-ranging discussion of these questions as the midterms threaten to widen divisions on th... more

“It feels like an election where the nature of the country, the future of this foundational ethos of solidarity, is at stake,” says Haviv Rettig Gur. The Free Press Middle East analyst and host of Ask Haviv Anything joins Aaron MacLean in Jerusalem t... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Doran
Senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute
Episode: Why Another Iran Strike Looks Inevitable
Haviv Rettig Gur
Middle East analyst at The Free Press and host of Ask Haviv Anything
The Free Press
Episode: What Israel’s Election Is Really About, with Haviv Rettig Gur
Johan Wennström
Historian, writer and research fellow at the Swedish Defence University
Swedish Defence University
Episode: Sweden’s Secret Army
Mick Ryan
Retired Australian Army major general, author and writer of the Futura Doctrina newsletter
Futura Doctrina
Episode: Can Ukraine Win Without America?
Joseph Torigian
Senior Fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; author of The Party's Interests Come First, The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: The Making of Xi Jinping
Michael Cadenazzi
Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy
U.S. Department of Defense
Episode: Rebuilding America’s War Machine
Marshall Billingslea
Senior fellow at the Hudson Institute; former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control
Hudson Institute
Episode: What Happened Inside Russia’s Plague Lab?
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

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
  • What happened?

    This was excellent before it started to overflow with establishment figures, apparently in the wake of joining the CBS ecosystem. This used to be one of my favourite podcasts and deliciously recondite. The new mainstream remake will undoubtedly have broader market appeal however, which should please the suits at CBS.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Hi

    I don‘t like this

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DieAFDkriegtMeineEierInsMaul
    Germanya month ago
  • 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 States3 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 States3 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
#106
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#107
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#111
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
France/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Israel’s Election Is Really About, with Haviv Rettig Gur
Q: What really matters in your view in this election? And what do you hope happens?
Gur identifies tribal and religious divisions, security concerns, judicial reform, democratic checks, and national solidarity as central stakes. He does not endorse a candidate, but explains the competing arguments voters weigh.
What Israel’s Election Is Really About, with Haviv Rettig Gur
Q: What is Zionism? What is the movement that led to this?
Gur describes Zionism as a family of religious, socialist, liberal, cultural, and other movements, connected by the idea of Jewish self-determination as a rescue project amid rising nationalism and antisemitism.
Why Another Iran Strike Looks Inevitable
Q: So Mike, how are Turkey and Israel to be balanced, and where does Syria fit into all of this?
Doran says the United States should work through both countries as strategically capable allies and use diplomacy to make Syria a buffer between them, including security assurances and monitoring arrangements.
Why Another Iran Strike Looks Inevitable
Q: How do you think American strategy might evolve after election day?
Doran says plans for strikes could be implemented before or after the midterms, but argues that Trump may also continue the blockade or pursue a deal that stops short of resolving Iran's capabilities.
Can Ukraine Win Without America?
Q: How are the Ukrainians moving? What are they actually doing that's facilitating maneuver?
Ryan describes deep drone strikes against Russian drone centers, artillery and other targets, combined with deception and operational security. These measures suppress and misdirect Russian forces to make maneuver possible.

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. Modern War Institute
3. Irregular Warfare Podcast
4. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
5. What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

How many episodes of School of War are there?

School of War launched 5 years ago and published 361 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. Mike Doran
2. Haviv Rettig Gur
3. Johan Wennström
4. Mick Ryan
5. Joseph Torigian
6. Michael Cadenazzi
7. Marshall Billingslea
8. Michael Oren

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