Home

A picture of MPs sitting in the Houses of Parliement where they are currently debating legislation on The Troubles.

Erasing accountability during The Troubles

Legislation that seeks to shield the British state from actions it took during The Troubles is currently snaking through Parliament. We took a look at the ideology underpinning it - and what it means for families still seeking justice.

Rogue heroes?

A counter-history of the SAS

Mutual militarisation. Chancellor holding his red case. Increased defence spending promises in the 2023 Spring Budget.

Mutual militarisation: the budget and NATO spending

Following the £11bn commitment to military spending in the Spring Budget, we asked Campaign Against Arms Trade's Sam Perlo-Freeman for his take on the mutual militarisation fuelled by Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Screenshot of British Army recruitment advert The Flood.

Unpicking British Army recruitment adverts

The latest British Army recruitment advert received widespread critique for innaccurate depictions of the military's role in domestic floods. We took a look at the advert and its place in the recruitment landscape.

Screenshot of the seating arrangement for the 2021 Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme graduation dinner. It shows six tables around which are seats MPs, ministers, military top brass and representatives from some of the worlds largest arms companies.

The MPs and the arms company reps

In our second analysis of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme we uncover how MPs dined with generals and arms company representatives.

From Militant to Military Labour

With the UK in the midst of wide spread industrial action we took a look at the historic use of the armed forces to break strikes and quell workers rights.

Warrior Nation podcast series 4: militarism and democracy

In the UK, the military is often viewed as an impartial and benign actor subordinated to a democratic leader. This season we examine the truth behind this commonly held view.

Since 2000 the civil-military gap has been narrowing as the UK military has sought to influence democracy and democratic institutions. With our hugely knowledgeable guests, each episode explores how militarism and the military impact on democracy and democratic processes in Britain.

Mar 23: The War Racket: reflections & predictions with Professor Paul Rogers
Our host Joe Glenton and Paul discuss the parallels and differences between the invasions of Iraq and Ukraine and key themes that have emerged from our militarism and democracy podcast series.

Support us on Patreon

Support the production of our Warrior Nation podcast from as little as £2 a month. If you donate a little more – £5 a month – you’ll get access to video content and a discount code for Housmans Bookshop.

The first 10 patrons at £8 a month will get a free copy of Veteranhood by Warrior Nation presenter Joe Glenton. You’ll also be able to join us for an exclusive webinar where we look back over the episodes with some of our guests and invite patrons to take part in the discussion.

Discover the amazing selection of books and events at Housmans Bookshop

get involved

Warrior Nation latest podcasts

The War Racket: reflections & predictions
Our host Joe Glenton speaks with Professor Paul Rogers on the parallels and differences between the invasions of Iraq and Ukraine and key themes that have emerged from our militarism and democracy podcast series.

War & police: linking the cops & the military
Reflecting on how the police have become more militarised, Joe talks to academic and activist Chris Rossdale about how the institutions of the police and military are built from the same foundations.

A material world: think-tank funding and defending the status quo 

Joe talks with Rethinking Security coordinator Richard Reeve and academic Kjølv Egeland, experts in the multifaceted world of defence and security think-tanks

See details of all episodes.

Should the armed forces encourage young people to interact with weapons and military vehicles?  We explore why this is happening and how can it be challenged?