The war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict – it is a testing ground for the future of warfare and a frontline in the wider confrontation between authoritarian regimes and the West.

In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, Peter Apps is joined by Bob Seely, former Member of Parliament, reservist and author of The New Total War. Drawing on his unique background and family legacy, Bob shares how the war in Ukraine is reshaping modern conflict and what it reveals about Russia's strategy, from the battlefield to political warfare.

We discuss the rapid evolution of drone technology, why Ukraine has become the crucible of 21st-century ground warfare, and how the West risks falling behind in both readiness and resilience. Bob also explains how Russia's approach blends military and non-military tools-from propaganda to cyber operations-into a single, integrated form of warfare, and what that means for NATO, Eastern Europe, and the global balance of power.

What You'll Learn

- Modern Warfare Lessons: Why Ukraine and Russia are redefining ground tactics for the drone age.

- Russia's Strategy: How Moscow combines military force with political, economic, and information warfare.

- Global Implications: What this conflict means for NATO, Eastern Europe, and the risks of wider escalation.

Bob's insights remind us that Ukraine is not just fighting for its survival-it is showing the world the future of warfare, and the urgent need for us to be ready.

Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.