War on the Rocks

Ryan Evans built War on the Rocks into one of the most respected names in defense and security commentary, and the podcast lives up to that reputation. Running since 2013 with over 300 episodes and a 4.6-star rating from more than a thousand reviews, this show sits at the intersection of military strategy, foreign policy, and national security in a way that feels genuinely informed rather than performative. The format is straightforward: Evans brings on analysts, former generals, congressional staffers, and regional specialists for conversations that typically run 40 to 55 minutes. These aren't softball interviews. Evans knows his subject matter cold, and he pushes guests to get specific about things like defense acquisition problems, NATO burden-sharing, or the tactical realities of the Ukraine conflict. A recent run of episodes covered Iranian regime stability, U.S. military readiness gaps, Korean Peninsula tensions, and Latin American security challenges -- all within a few weeks. What sets this apart from other policy podcasts is the depth of expertise in the room. You'll hear from people who actually ran operations or wrote the policy memos, not just commentators reading the news. The tone stays serious without being stuffy, and Evans has a knack for making dense strategic debates accessible to listeners who might not have a defense background. There's also a paid membership tier with bonus content, but the free episodes alone offer more substance than most full news programs. If you care about understanding why militaries make the decisions they do and how power actually works between nations, this belongs in your rotation.