What we have been listening to: February 2026
As this month wraps up, the Defence Research Network has been listening to podcasts on the legacy of Afghanistan, power dynamics within China’s military, Russia’s energy war against Ukraine, US Ukraine policy, and Britain’s preparation for war.
This month, our playlist explores military readiness, strategic culture, and the aftershocks of recent conflicts. We begin with reflections on the US evacuation of Afghanistan, hearing from the Marines who led it and considering what four years’ distance reveals. We then turn to China, examining power and paranoia within the People’s Liberation Army and what this means for Beijing’s military posture. The focus shifts to Ukraine: Russia’s energy terror and its coercive logic, alongside an analysis of Donald Trump’s Ukraine policy and its broader implications. We conclude with a discussion of Britain’s preparation for war and what readiness means today. Whether your interest lies in strategy, civil–military relations, or Western preparedness, these episodes offer plenty to consider. Here’s what we’ve been listening to this month:
War on the Rocks | The Marines That Led the Evacuation of Afghanistan, Four Years Later
War on the Rocks | Power, Paranoia, and the People’s Liberation Army
UkraineWorld | Russia's energy terror against Ukraine
UkraineWorld | Decoding Trump’s Ukraine policy
RUSI Talking Strategy | Britain's Preparation for War
