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Artwork for School of War

School of War

The Free Press
China
Iran
World War II
United States
Ukraine
Russia
Israel
Taiwan
Vietnam War
Hamas
Venezuela
Military History
Iraq War
Geopolitics
National Security
Middle East
Trump Administration
U.S. Military
Strait Of Hormuz
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 senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He has worked as a foreign policy advisor and legi... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes331Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for School of War

Latest Episodes

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, returns to School of War to analyze the latest military developments across the world... more

Ben Milligan, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, Bronze Star recipient, and author of By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs, joins School of War to discuss the origins and evolution of one of America's most storied special operations forces. H... more

Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times, joins School of War to discuss the reporting behind his new book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, co-authored with Maggie Haberman. How does Donald Trump mak... more

YouTube

James Diggle, emeritus professor of Greek and Latin at Cambridge University, and John Underhill, professor of geoscience and energy transition at the University of Aberdeen, join School of War to discuss their decades-long search for the real Ithaca ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Mike Doran
Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute
Episode: America’s Iran Problem Isn’t Going Away, with Mike Doran
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
Edward Fishman
Senior Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: How Choke Points Became Weapons of War, with Edward Fishman
Richard Bell
Historian and professor at the University of Maryland; author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
University of Maryland
Episode: The American Revolution Was a World War, with Richard Bell
John Mitani
Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan
University of Michigan
Episode: Why Chimpanzees Go to War, with John Mitani
Mamuka Mamulashvili
Commander of the Volunteer Formation, the Georgian Legion
Georgian Legion (Ukraine)
Episode: From Teenage Soldier to Commander in Ukraine, with Mamuka Mamulashvili
Rye Barcott
Co-founder and CEO of With Honor, author of Courage Can Save Us
With Honor
Episode: Can Courage Save America? With Rye Barcott

Host

Aaron MacLean
Host of the show; CBS News National Security Analyst and Hudson Institute fellow

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 Statesa month ago
  • Zionist propaganda

    Garbage

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jdfnbekeuf fm
    Canadaa month 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.

Audience appreciates thoughtful, expert analysis on defense and security.
Some feedback cites perceived bias and political framing by the host.
Balanced, nuanced discussion with high-caliber guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#87
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#92
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#118
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#222
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lindsey Graham: The Last of the ‘Three Amigos’ with Vance Serchuk
Q: How did the Three Amigos function together on pivotal issues like the surge in Iraq and the Russia challenge?
They shared a deep set of convictions about American leadership and the role of hard power, traveled together to oversee wars, and leveraged their varied backgrounds to push for a policy path they believed was right, even amid partisan headwinds.
Lindsey Graham: The Last of the ‘Three Amigos’ with Vance Serchuk
Q: What were your first impressions of Lindsey Graham when you joined the Senate team?
Graham came across as incredibly politically shrewd and quick-witted, with a talent for delivering concise, memorable lines that could define a moment in the debate.
Four Years Fighting Russia: An American Soldier’s Testimony
Q: Tell me a little bit about the American side of your story and what motivated you to join.
The guest describes a family tradition of service, personal conviction to protect others, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully that outweighed concerns about the risks, leading to his involvement and ongoing participation in the conflict supporting Ukrainian forces.
America’s Iran Problem Isn’t Going Away, with Mike Doran
Q: Why is the MOU still a live issue in this conversation?
Because both sides read the clause about safe passage and 60 days of no charges differently, and the ambiguity around who controls routes under the MOEO keeps the dispute open and unstable rather than resolved.
America’s Iran Problem Isn’t Going Away, with Mike Doran
Q: What is the most important strategic problem in the Iran situation right now?
The core challenge is the drones and ballistic missiles, and the difficulty of eradicating that capability, which constrains what kind of military or coercive options can realistically work without provoking a larger, more destructive response.

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?

This show centers on military history, strategy, and current security policy with a focus on real-world implications of warfare, geopolitics, and defense technology. Episodes pair seasoned military historians and policy experts with a probing interviewer to unpack lessons from past conflicts, contemporary great-power competition, and how emerging tech—like AI, drone swarms, and data networks—shapes modern warfighting. Notable threads include mass-producible weapons versus high-end systems, deterrence in the Strait of Hormuz and the Baltic region, and the evolving defense industrial base. The program frequently features guests from think tanks, military academia, and government or allied militaries, offering rigorous, forward-looking analysi... more

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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. NatSec Matters

How many episodes of School of War are there?

School of War launched 5 years ago and published 331 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. James Diggle
2. John Underhill
3. Mike Doran
4. Vance Serchuk
5. Edward Fishman
6. Richard Bell
7. John Mitani
8. Mamuka Mamulashvili

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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