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School of War

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 legislative director to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and spent seven years in the U.S. Marine

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All Episodes

42:01

Danger Lurks In J.D. Vance’s Negotiations with Iran

School of War ·

2026/04/09

Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of FDD, joins Aaron to discuss the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. What are the fears surrounding the talks? Where are the two sides close on the proposed ceasefire, and where are they miles apart? What should we look for to indicate how the talks are going? Looming over everything is the question of whether the negotiating table can, at times, be more dangerous than the battlefield.Times: 02:03 Nature of the ceasefire 04:22 Do we have the upper

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57:31

Is the Strait of Hormuz Closed Forever? with Sal...

School of War ·

2026/04/07

Sal Mercogliano, associate professor of history at Campbell University and host of the What’s Going on with Shipping YouTube channel, joins us to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the complexities of navigating the Strait under normal and elevated circumstances. The conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the impact on global shipping, and the broader implications for international trade and security. What are the challenges posed by

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43:40

America’s Incredible Rescue of its Downed Airmen in...

School of War ·

2026/04/06

Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, join the show to breakdown the dramatic events of the weekend and take a look at the road ahead in the Iran War. We discuss the American F-15E shot down in Iran, and the subsequent rescue of its crew by special operations forces near Isfahan. The conversation delves into the details of the rescue operation, President Trump's demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential actions

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53:35

Trump Says We’re ‘Winning’ in Iran. It’s More...

School of War ·

2026/04/03

The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran’s nuclear program survives. And while the regime has been weakened, it remains intact. So what has President Trump accomplished—and what comes next in the war? Today on School of War, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of sitting in the interviewer’s chair, as I usually do – I’m the one being interviewed. I joined Rafaela Siewert of The Free Press to talk through my current thinking on the war in Iran.▪️ Times 02:03 Trump’s speech 05:22

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50:54

Even as America Fights Iran, It’s Not Ready for...

School of War ·

2026/03/31

Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, joins the show to explain the complexities of deterrence against China, the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the implications of the wars in Ukraine and Iran for Taiwan. We break down China’s plausible gray-zone tactics like quarantine and coercive mobilization, and how these tools, if unchecked, could lead to a total economic or military break. Where are the

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43:48

How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer

School of War ·

2026/03/27

John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast, joins the show to break down how the U.S. and Israel are executing a 'neurological' campaign—using precision, targeted strikes on the Iranian Regime and its center of gravity. A strategy that’s as old as Clausewitz but more relevant than ever. How are the U.S. and Israel balancing the psychological impact of their precision strikes in tandem with the more traditional

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57:38

Are We About to Send the Marines Into Iran? With Rich...

School of War ·

2026/03/23

Rich Goldberg, senior advisor at FDD, and Garrett Exner, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute, break down what’s really happening behind the headlines — from covert strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to the fragile possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. How are the U.S., Israel, and Iran navigating the negotiations, and are there any operational knock-on effects? What are the realities and complexities of potential ground invasions, targeted raids, and covert operations that could shape the next

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58:15

Did Trump Miscalculate on Iran? with Niall Ferguson

School of War ·

2026/03/20

Sir Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and columnist at The Free Press, reveals how geography and choke points have always been pivotal in global conflicts and just like the Dardanelles during WWI, today’s hotspots like the Straits of Hormuz and Taiwan remind us that some strategic challenges never change. What exactly are chokepoints and why do they matter? How do the lessons of Gallipoli and Ukraine apply to the war with Iran? How is the current situation

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36:41

Can Trump Beat China by Winning In Iran? with Zineb...

School of War ·

2026/03/17

Zineb Riboua, research fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace andSecurity in the Middle East, joins the show to talk about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, focusing on China's interests and involvement. How dependent is China on the region's energy resources? How does China project power in the Middle East and in Africa? Is China benefiting or suffering from the current war? What are the geopolitical and strategic considerations for both Beijing and D.C.?Times02:19 Going badly

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55:52

Did the Iranian Revolution Succeed? And Can It...

School of War ·

2026/03/12

Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, joins the show to talk about the origins, evolution, and possible future of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What forces produced the 1979 revolution, and how did it reshape Iran’s political and religious order? What are the psychological and sociological impacts of this revolution? How have the regime’s leaders interpreted and sustained

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49:36

How the War in Iran Actually Works with Mark Montgomery

School of War ·

2026/03/09

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the

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40:38

General Frank McKenzie on the War in Iran

School of War ·

2026/03/06

General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr, USMC (ret.), commanded US Central Command from 2019-2022. Gen. McKenzie led a distinguished 42 year career in the US Marine Corps, commanding at multiple levels and serving on the Joint Staff. In this in-depth conversation, General McKenzie shares his insights on the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, strategic mistakes by Iran, and the prospects for regime change. He gives a full breakdown of Iran's military capabilities, regional dynamics, and

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45:28

Ep 282: Fred Kagan on the Iran War, Drone Defense,...

School of War ·

2026/03/03

Fred Kagan, senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the war, what Ukraine can do to help the Gulf with drone defense, and the future of the Islamic Republic.▪️ 01:51 Updates 03:29 Iranian strikes 09:15 Munitions crisis 14:28 Innovation 18:45 Isolated and weak 25:12 Arming the opposition 30:55 A dangerous game 36:22 10/7 40:21 Turkey Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube

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50:26

Ep 280: Mike Doran on the Iran War

School of War ·

2026/03/02

Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to bring us the latest breakdown on the war and how long this may go on. ▪️ Times 01:52 Where are things going? 05:45 Rational strikes 09:56 A weakened positioned 16:33 Lasting change 20:13 What comes next? 26:40 Regional war 30:28 Integration 38:30 The Decider 47:32 Futures Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube

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32:04

Ep 279: Mark Dubowitz on U.S.-Israel War with Iran

School of War ·

2026/02/28

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times 01:19 Iranian leaders targeted 04:48 10/7 roots 07:39 Ambitious war aims 12:41 Scope 15:59 Regime change 20:11 Iranian response 23:42 Playing with fire 28:13 Partnership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

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51:02

Ep 278: Yossi Cohen on The Mossad

School of War ·

2026/02/27

Yossi Cohen, served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021 and is the author of The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. ▪️ Times 01:27 Joining the Mossad 16:02 Serving behind

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49:49

Ep 277: Behnam Ben Taleblu—Will There Be a War with...

School of War ·

2026/02/23

Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime.▪️ Times 02:04 U.S. build-up 05:46 Timing 11:08 “Decisive and different” 24:41 Iranian retaliation 30:03 Targets 35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader 41:36 A Trump JCPOA 45:46 Regime change by air Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube

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49:17

Ep 276: Charlie Laderman on Regime Change in Iran

School of War ·

2026/02/20

Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today.▪️ Times 02:45 Comparing Iran and Poland 05:56 Reagan’s plan 10:15 Reheating the Cold War 12:26 ’81 coup 15:53 Sanctions and pressure 20:19 Constant agitation 27:38 End of the Cold War 34:45 The violence of the Iranian regime 37:55 Structural

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43:52

Ep 275: Michael Baumgartner on Marco Rubio’s Speech...

School of War ·

2026/02/17

Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Washington State’s 5th Congressional District joins the show to give his key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference.▪️ Times 01:34 Getting to Munich 05:22 European attitude 14:20 AOC and recalibration 17:50 Germany returns 23:59 Rubio’s speech 30:23 Ukraine 39:22 Iran and a “good” deal Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast

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54:22

Ep 274: Lawrence Freedman on Strategists and Ukraine

School of War ·

2026/02/13

Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024, joins the show to talk about a lifetime among strategists, and to give an update on the war in Ukraine.▪️ Times 02:34 Essay writing 07:49 Michael Howard 18:42 Colin Gray 23:06 Timeless aspects of strategy 26:00 The goal of SDI 36:40 Tactics 41:20 Differences between tactics and strategy 45:01 Ultimate objectives 50:08 Sensible uses of

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296 results

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