# Sounds Strategic We are a world-leading authority on global security, political risk and military conflict. We were founded in 1958, and have offices in London, Washington, Singapore and Bahrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Page: Feed: --- ## [NATO 3.0: The Ankara Summit Unpacked](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/nato-30-the-ankara-summit-unpacked) _2026-07-14_ The episode examines the gap between NATO's 5% GDP spending commitments and the delivery of real military capability, the challenge of sustaining support for Ukraine as US stockpiles face pressure from the Iran conflict and Türkiye's growing defence industrial ambitions and the political significance of hosting the summit. The conversation also addresses NATO's structural three-front problem,… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/6a55081508f5afd13413046c/media.mp3) ## [IISS Shangri-La Dialogue: Reflections](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-shangri-la-dialogue-reflections) _2026-06-09_ Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Veerle Nouwens, Darshana M. Baruah, Morgan Michaels and Dr Daniel Salisbury to reflect on the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, which was held in Singapore from 29–31 May 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/6a27d7886642088a10a01d37/media.mp3) ## [Rethinking Asia-Pacific Security in an Age of Disruption](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/rethinking-asia-pacific-security-in-an-age-of-disruption) _2026-05-21_ Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts to preview the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2026 ahead of its launch next week. Together, they discuss rising defence spending, evolving military doctrines, land force modernisation, nuclear risk and the race to shape quantum security governance in an increasingly contested region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/6a0ed5e2d7997e788c448073/media.mp3) ## [IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026: Reflections](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-stockholm-civil-defence-forum-2026-reflections) _2026-04-29_ In this episode of Sounds Strategic , IISS experts reflect on the inaugural IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum and unpack the findings of the Strategic Dossier Civil Defence in Europe: An Initial Assessment . The discussion explores how European countries are adapting to emerging security threats, from protecting critical infrastructure and countering foreign information manipulation to financing… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/69f1bac8f8c66377378dc728/media.mp3) ## [UAVs: ISR, Deterrence and War](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/uavs-isr-deterrence-and-war) _2026-04-02_ In this episode of Sounds Strategic , IISS experts unpack the findings of the Strategic Dossier UAVs: ISR, Deterrence and War , exploring how uninhabited aerial vehicles are reshaping military operations in peace and conflict. From Europe’s long-running capability gaps to lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, the discussion examines how UAVs are changing intelligence gathering, decision-making… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/69ce5164d2e95f5131490b53/media.mp3) ## [The Military Balance 2026](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/the-military-balance-2026) _2026-02-24_ Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Henry Boyd, Fenella McGerty, Ester Sabatino and Ruben Stewart to discuss the 2026 edition of The Military Balance . The Military Balance reveals a world of accelerating defence transformation. From Europe’s structural spending surge and procurement bottlenecks, to institutionalised drone warfare, Gulf industrial localisation and intensifying… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/699da523e58ea9113884ac7d/media.mp3) ## [IISS Manama Dialogue 2025: Reflections](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-manama-dialogue-2025-reflections) _2025-11-14_ Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Air Marshal (Retd) Martin 'Sammy' Sampson, Dr Hasan Alhasan, Wolf-Christian Paes and Asna Wajid to reflect on the IISS Manama Dialogue 2025, which took place in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 31 October–2 November 2025. Together they discuss how the Dialogue reflected shifting regional alignments, the implications of global power competition for… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/691719381029ec1feddf65ea/media.mp3) ## [IISS Prague Defence Summit 2025: Reflections](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-prague-defence-summit-2025-reflections) _2025-09-16_ Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Dr Ben Schreer, Fenella McGerty and Ester Sabatino to reflect on the 2nd IISS Prague Defence Summit, which was held on 3–5 September 2025. Meia, Ben, Fenella and Esther discuss the major takeaways from the Prague Defence Summit, including: Secretary General Mark Rutte’s call for stronger European defence production in the face of closer… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/68c96bc6fcf4ee5e37869d1f/media.mp3) ## [IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: Reflections](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-shangri-la-dialogue-2025-reflections) _2025-06-06_ Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Veerle Nouwens, Morgan Michaels and Darshana Baruah to reflect on the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, which was held on 30 May–1 June 2025. Meia, Veerle, Morgan and Darshana discuss key takeaways and topics include: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his landmark speech on the US’ new ambitions for the Indo-Pacific; President Macron’s… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/6842c161f47b55b37a2a57a8/media.mp3) ## [Dissecting Series A Rounds (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/5MRKff1VcldG) _2025-06-06 · **Sponsored**_ Two real Series A cases: timelines, investor sequencing, and common founder mistakes. ## [IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025](https://shows.acast.com/sounds-strategic/episodes/iiss-shangri-la-dialogue-2025) _2025-05-23_ In this Sounds Strategic episode, podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by Veerle Nouwens, Evan A. Laksmana and Nick Childs to discuss the upcoming 22nd IISS Shangri La Dialogue, which will be held in Singapore from 30 May–1 June. This year’s dialogue is held against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, an intense US trade and tariff war with China, heightened tensions… [Listen](https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5eb41117570358cd673a3a85/e/68306db3381499796bcad4e3/media.mp3)