Alessio Patalano discusses the maritime dimensions of the Ukraine conflict and the shifting dynamics of naval strategy globally.

There are many lessons to be learned from the maritime dimension of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Alessio explores maritime security and resilience, assessing both the operational dynamics and wider economic implications of the war at sea. He examines the challenges faced by NATO members and the broader international community in adapting their naval capabilities. He talks about the future of maritime security, including advancements in undersea warfare and the evolving role of drones and other technologies in naval operations.

Alessio Patalano is Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia and Co-Director of the Centre for Grand Strategy at King's College London, where he specialises in maritime strategic issues.

British Army officer Major Jon Armstrong discusses how resistance networks are formed and utilised, particularly in the current Russo-Ukraine war.

From the makeshift resistance efforts seen in Ukraine to Sweden's carefully structured Total Defence approach, resistance networks can play a crucial role in a country's defence strategy. Armstrong talks about the different elements of resistance activities, focusing on Ukraine, and examines their successes and limitations. He addresses the challenges in controlling these networks, along with the potential post-conflict difficulties of reintegration; warning of the risk of civil strife if such groups are sidelined. As nations plan for future conflicts, Armstrong argues that they must not only build resistance networks, but also integrate them within the broader operational strategy.

Jon Armstrong is a British Army officer with over 20 years of experience. His research interests include land operations and irregular warfare. He holds a BA in War Studies and an MA in Military and Security Studies from King's College London.

The views expressed in this podcast are the authors', and do not represent those of RUSI or any other institution.

Paddy Walker and Elke Schwarz discuss the operational and ethical implications of autonomous systems in warfare.

Paddy and Elke highlight the gap between expectations and reality, arguing that while AI-enabled technologies are often marketed as revolutionary, their real-world effectiveness remains uncertain due to data limitations, technical vulnerabilities and the challenges of human–machine integration.

Dr Paddy Walker is an Associate Fellow at RUSI and a Senior Research Fellow at the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Buckingham. His latest book, War Without Oversight, was published in January 2025.

Professor Elke Schwarz is Professor of Political Theory at Queen Mary University of London and the author of Death Machines: The Ethics of Violent Technologies.