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The Secrets of Statecraft

Hoover Institution
China
Iran
Russia
Ukraine
World War II
Brexit
Korean War
Hamas
Human Nature
Social Media
U.s.-Israel Relations
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Economic Growth
North Korea
Protectionism
Covid-19
Hezbollah
Marxism
Doug Macarthur

Secrets of Statecraft​ is a bimonthly podcast hosted by Distinguished Visiting Fellow Andrew Roberts that explores the effect that the study of history has had on the careers and decision making of public figures. The podcast also features leading historians discussing the influence that the study of history had on their biographical subjects. The title is taken from Winston Churchill’s reply on C... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes83Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Secrets of Statecraft

Latest Episodes

How did Britain’s diplomats help win World War II—and shape the world that followed? Lord Peter Ricketts, former head of Britain’s Diplomatic Service and its first National Security Advisor, discusses the extraordinary men and women of the wartime Fo... more

YouTube

Historian and author Lord Conrad Black joins Secrets of Statecraft _to discuss the third volume of his monumental _Political and Strategic History of the World, covering the turbulent years from the reign of Louis XIV to the outbreak of the First Wor... more

Andrew Roberts speaks with David Yelland, former editor of The Sun and co-host of BBC Radio 4’s popular podcast “When It Hits the Fan,” about the hidden machinery of modern power: public relations, political messaging, media influence, and crisis man... more

Author and columnist Tomiwa Owolade joins Secrets of Statecraft to discuss his bestselling book This Is Not America and why Britain’s conversation about race has become increasingly shaped by American ideas and assumptions. He argues that importing U... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Peter Ricketts
Former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office; first National Security Advisor
British Government (Foreign Office)
Episode: The Secrets of Churchill’s Diplomats with Lord Peter Ricketts | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Conrad Black
Author and historian; subject of the interview
Conrad Black (as discussed)
Episode: The Rise and Fall of Empires with Conrad Black | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
David Yelland
Former editor of The Sun; co-host of BBC Radio 4's When It Hits the Fan
Kitchen Table Partners (founder)
Episode: Secrets of Spin with Media Maestro David Yelland | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Tomiwa Owolade
columnist at The Times of London and author of This Is Not America
The Times (London) / Author
Episode: This Is Not America: A British Conversation On Race with Tomiwa Owolade | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Hugo Vickers
Writer, lecturer and broadcaster; royal biographer
Author of Queen Elizabeth II, A Personal History
Episode: Monarchy as Statecraft: Lessons from Elizabeth II with Hugo Vickers | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Catherine Ostler
journalist, former editor, author of The Renoir Girls
Journalist and author
Episode: France’s Original Culture War: The Dreyfus Affair | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Dan Hannan
Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, columnist for the Sunday Telegraph
Institute of Economic Affairs
Episode: Dan Hannan and The Case for Capitalism | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Chris Brose
Chief Strategy Officer, Anduril Industries; author of The Kill Chain
Anduril Industries
Episode: Anduril’s Chris Brose on Fighting The Next War | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Shay Khatiri
Researcher at the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis; Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute
Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis; Yorktown Institute
Episode: Is Iran at the Tipping Point? with Shay Khatiri | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution

Host

Andrew Roberts
Host of Secrets of Statecraft (Hoover Institution).

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 247 ratings
  • This would be good…

    … If one only removed “Lord” Andrew Roberts from the programme entirely. The man is a dinosaur and, like Labour and his liberal Tory peers, he deserves much blame for the miserable mess in which modern Britain finds itself. Neither an overrated and fawning biography, nor an unearned title, is a valid substitute for good sense. Though their numbers have dwindled, a true Thatcherite would have been a more natural and worthy fit for Hoover.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Great Discussion

    Greatly enjoyed the discussion with Condoleezza Rice. A very intelligent and well-read woman for whom I have a great deal of respect. Would love to see her as POTUS someday.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linda499
    Canadaa year ago
  • Exclusively interviews never trumpers

    I like his books and have read several (napoleon, George, and Churchill). But his podcast is not inclusive of pro trump voices. There was a veritable political earthquake in America when only the serving president in HIsTORY was elected to non consecutive terms, yet Andrew is apparently completely (and I mean COMPLETELY) uninterested in interviewing somebody sympathetic to his platform. How about Stephen miller? Bannon? Charlie Kirk? You debase yourself, sir.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hyhuhyhianb
    United Statesa year ago
  • Latest offering

    The interview with David Samet was a great listen. David is clearly a very talented historian. Bravo, Bravo, David. Andrew as brilliant as always.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Too old to be a back
    Canadaa year ago
  • Brilliant

    This podcast series is both substantive and entertaining. Andrew makes it fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    taco casa 1979
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

People note the high quality of guests and the historical framing of complex topics.
Listeners frequently commend the show's rigorous, source-driven discussions.
Some critics wish for broader ideological balance and more diverse perspectives.
Guests and host are described as engaging and intellectually disciplined.
One listener praises the host for insightful interviews and deep scholarship.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#242
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#222
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#135
United Arab Emirates/History
Apple Podcasts
#189
Mexico/History
Apple Podcasts
#196
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#200
Hong Kong/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Secrets of Churchill’s Diplomats with Lord Peter Ricketts | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Q: How did the Foreign Office help shape the post-war world and the UN?
Diplomats anticipated long-term peace by building organizational structures like the UN, setting up a Brussels-style security framework, and ensuring Britain maintained influence through a limited but strategic leadership role.
The Secrets of Churchill’s Diplomats with Lord Peter Ricketts | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Q: Could you explain what the job of Permanent Under-Secretary consisted of?
It is the top civil servant in a government department, the interface between the ministers and the officials, coordinating policy implementation and ensuring continuity when political leadership changes.
The Rise and Fall of Empires with Conrad Black | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Q: What is the central theme tying these empires together across 250 years?
Empires are portrayed as guardians of world order through large, multinational governance, yet their internal dynamics, leadership choices, and interactions with rising powers determined whether they preserved peace or sparked conflict, with human agency playing a critical role.
This Is Not America: A British Conversation On Race with Tomiwa Owolade | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Q: What is your critique of progressive anti-racism in the UK?
He criticizes a victim-focused framing and the view of Black people as a monolithic group, urging a canon that includes Western literature and a more nuanced, non-reductive approach to identity and inequality.
This Is Not America: A British Conversation On Race with Tomiwa Owolade | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Q: How does the UK race conversation differ from the American one, and why is it important to focus on British context?
Owolade argues that many broad racial generalizations are inappropriate in the UK because the Black British experience has different historical roots than the American one, notably the lack of a systemic Jim Crow era and the different immigrant history, so policy and discourse should be tailored to Britain's specifics.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Secrets of Statecraft

What is The Secrets of Statecraft about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historically focused podcast exploring how past empires, statecraft, and geopolitical shifts shape today's public decisions. Conversations center on long-term patterns in power, diplomacy, and leadership, often featuring renowned historians and policy thinkers who tie archival insight to contemporary issues. Noteworthy are deep-dive readings of specific figures, counterfactuals, and nuanced takes on empire, diplomacy, and technology's role in shaping global politics. Listeners can expect rigorous historical analysis, candid debates, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from academia, think tanks, and journalism. The show stands out for its scholarly rigor, breadth of guests, and its emphasis on how history informs modern decision-making. Th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Secrets of Statecraft?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Secrets of Statecraft:

1. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
2. Uncommon Knowledge
3. Today’s Battlegrounds
4. School of War
5. Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke

How many episodes of The Secrets of Statecraft are there?

The Secrets of Statecraft launched 4 years ago and published 83 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 The Secrets of Statecraft?

Recent guests on The Secrets of Statecraft include:

1. Peter Ricketts
2. Conrad Black
3. David Yelland
4. Tomiwa Owolade
5. Hugo Vickers
6. Catherine Ostler
7. Dan Hannan
8. Chris Brose

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