Conflict of Interest
In Series 2 of Conflict of Interest, celebrity guests ask the simple questions about the world’s most complex conflicts from the Cold War era. What actually was the Cold War? Who was fighting in Vietnam? Where are the Falklands Islands? Guided by an IWM curator, our guest is taken on a journey through the Imperial War Museum and HMS Belfast in London, discovering the objects, people and stories which bring a conflict to life.
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Ukraine, with Sophie Duker
08/22/2022
Ukraine, with Sophie Duker
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. But what is the history behind this devastating war, and where did it all begin? In this special episode of Conflict of Interest, we explored Ukraine’s recent past, from the collapse of the Soviet Union to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Guests in this episode were comedian Sophie Duker, Ukrainian journalist, expert and activist Olga Tokariuk, academic and historian Samir Puri and senior IWM curator Carl Warner. ——— CLIPS: Bird's-Eye View Of 'Euromaidan' Protests In Kyiv - Ukraine: 'Full scale invasion' by Russia under way: Ruslana - Wild Dances (Ukraine) - LIVE - 2004 Eurovision Song Contest - Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution | Flashback | NBC News: Ukraine gun battle caught on camera:
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The Falklands Conflict, with Katherine Parkinson
05/18/2022
The Falklands Conflict, with Katherine Parkinson
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. But why did the United Kingdom, steered by Margaret Thatcher, send its Navy to defend the Falklands, a tiny group of islands over 8,000 miles from Britain? Why were the islands so important to Argentina and its government? And what are the prospects for reconciliation forty years later? In this episode we were joined by actor and comedian Katherine Parkinson.
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The Vietnam War, with Cerys Matthews
05/11/2022
The Vietnam War, with Cerys Matthews
The Vietnam War is one of the twentieth century’s most well-known conflicts. It has become a buzzword for military failure, synonymous with the most horrific aspects of irregular warfare between states and guerilla forces, and has had a profound impact on politics and popular culture in the United States and around the world. But why did America get involved in the first place? Who were the Viet Cong and the Viet Minh? Why were there mass peace protests back in the US? And what lessons, if any, can be learned from the conflict? In this episode we were joined by Cerys Matthews - singer, songwriter, author, and BBC Radio 6 broadcaster, alongside Phan Thi Kim Phuc, better known as the ‘Napalm Girl’, and renowned photographer Don McCullin. —------ CREDITS: Excerpt from ‘Eisenhower Two Vietnams’ Excerpt from Lyndon B. Johnson-Speech on Vietnam (September 29, 1967) Excerpt from Kennedy Speaks On Vietnam (1962): Excerpt from Behind The Viet Cong Lines (1965) Excerpt from NBC News Special Report, January 31, 1968 Excerpt from President Richard Nixon Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam, November 3, 1969 Exerpt from 50 years ago: Walter Cronkite calls for the U.S. to get out of Vietnam
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The Korean War, with Eddie Izzard
05/04/2022
The Korean War, with Eddie Izzard
Why is Korea divided between North and South? Who was Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sun, and what did he want? Why did the United Nations intervene in Korea? And did the Korean War really almost go nuclear? In this episode we were joined by celebrated stand up comedian, writer, actor and activist Eddie Izzard, in a special recording that took place on the ship HMS Belfast. ---- Excerpt from Combat footage, Korean war - newsreel (1950): Excerpt from Korean War: President Truman Reports - June 1950: Excerpt from Inchon Landings - First Pictures (1950) -
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The Mau Mau Uprising, with Nikita Gill
04/27/2022
The Mau Mau Uprising, with Nikita Gill
The Mau Mau Uprising was another lesser-known conflict that took place during the end of the British Empire between Kenyan insurgents and British forces. We ask questions like, What does Mau Mau actually mean? What happened in Britain’s detention camps? What was decolonisation? And what is the legacy of the conflict today? In this episode we were joined by renowned poet and writer Nikita Gill. This episode contains references to racism and sexual violence in conflict. Some listeners may find descriptions distressing. ----- CLIPS: Excerpts from CNN ‘UK settles with Mau Mau victims in Kenya’ Excerpts from 'Mau-Mau (1955) | Early Grindhouse Exploitation Documentary'
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The Malayan Emergency, with Phil Wang
04/20/2022
The Malayan Emergency, with Phil Wang
Few are aware of the secretive conflict that took place in the jungles of Malaysia in the 1940s and 1950s between British colonial forces and communist guerillas. So what tactics were used by both sides? Why was it called an Emergency and not a War? What happened to ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire? And why did this conflict become so important for future counterinsurgency campaigns? In this episode we were joined by stand up comedian Phil Wang. -------------- CREDITS: Excerpt from "Malayan Jungle Patrol Aka Malaya Report (1953)" Excerpt from "Malayan jungle fighting in 1952" Excerpt from "Sir Eden introduces new Malaya High Commissioner (1952)"
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The Berlin Wall, with Russell Tovey
04/13/2022
The Berlin Wall, with Russell Tovey
The Berlin Wall was one of the most important symbols of the Cold War, signifying the division of Europe into communist East and capitalist West. But why was the Wall built? How did it affect the lives of ordinary Berliners? And how did it come crashing down in 1989? In this episode we were joined by Russell Tovey, renowned actor who has starred in Being Human, The History Boys and Him & Her. --------- CREDITS: Excerpt from Ronald Reagan: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!" Excerpt from John F. Kennedy's Speech at the Berlin Wall: Excerpt from Vollständige Pressekonferenz Günter Schabowski / Full press conference Günter Schabowski 1989: . Excerpt from Berlin Airlift - The Story Of A Great Achievement (1949) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nHdB1vJNsg&ab_channel=AIRBOYD Excerpt from Nikita Khrushchev's speech at the United Nations in 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8BZlTxRQuU&list=PLA50AB7N5S7dxS68CKFmhSkjRzCj-LSnd&index=17&ab_channel=jabarbadi Excerpt from David Bowie Heroes - Live front of the Reichstag in Berlin 1987 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCI9o5IErwc
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Conflict of Interest: Series 2
04/06/2022
Conflict of Interest: Series 2
In this brand new series of Conflict of Interest, high-profile guests ask the simple questions about the world’s most complex conflicts from the Cold War era.
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Before The War – Syria, with musician Jake Shuker
03/09/2022
Before The War – Syria, with musician Jake Shuker
Singer and guitarist Jake Shuker was nine when he first discovered death metal, despite the genre being banned in Syria. From that moment on he was hooked. He formed death metal band Maysaloon as a teenager living in Damascus, before being forced to leave the city as war escalated around him. If you’d like to see a visualisation of Jake’s story, . To learn more about the war in Syria, check out our main podcast feed.
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Before The War - Yemen, with artist Murad Subay
02/22/2022
Before The War - Yemen, with artist Murad Subay
In this special episode of Conflict of Interest, artist Murad Subay tells his story of Yemen before the war, finding art as a teenager before sparking a street art movement that saw men, women and children painting the streets of their homes. If you'd like to see a visualisation of Murad's story, head over to @thefakepan. You can find out more about Murad's work or via his To learn more about the war in Yemen, check out the episode on our main podcast feed.
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Before The War - Afghanistan, with artist Samira Kitman
02/15/2022
Before The War - Afghanistan, with artist Samira Kitman
In this special episode of Conflict of Interest, we hear what Afghanistan was like for a young girl growing up in Kabul before the Taliban retook power - a girl who dreamed of being a famous artist. Calligrapher and miniaturist Samira Kitman discovered art as a young woman, allowing her to travel the world before threats to her freedom and fear of violence forced her to flee her home. To see a visualisation of Samira's story in comic book form, . To learn more about the Afghanistan War and the September 11th attacks, check out the episodes on our main podcast feed
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9/11, with Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire (RedHanded)
09/09/2021
9/11, with Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire (RedHanded)
In this bonus episode of Conflict of Interest podcast, marking the twentieth anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we examine this monumental moment in history which profoundly impacted the world of war and conflict, and the way we live our lives today. Our guests Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, hosts of the true crime podcast RedHanded, ask the simple but important questions about the events of 9/11: Who were al-Qaeda and what did they believe? What actually happened on September 11th? How have the attacks shaped our current world and values? Answering these questions are IWM curator Amanda Mason and King’s College London terrorism expert Shiraz Maher. We are also joined by special guest Mohsin Hamid, author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Want the chance to win a £50 Amazon gift voucher? Just fill in this quick survey on what you thought of the podcast: . Terms and conditions apply. IWM is also inviting listeners to share their stories of how 9/11, and how the events that followed have impacted their lives today. Share your story here: ------------------- CREDITS: Excerpt from ABC 9/11 9:02 - 9:12 - ABC Live Coverage on September 11, 2001.
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Northern Ireland, with James Graham
07/07/2021
Northern Ireland, with James Graham
So far, Conflict of Interest has examined wars in far-flung parts of the world like Yemen and Afghanistan. But in our final episode, we'll explore one much closer to home. When did ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland begin, and what was it like to live through them? Who were the IRA, and what happened on Bloody Sunday? And with the Good Friday agreement bringing an end to the conflict, what does Brexit mean for the peace process today? In this episode we were joined by James Graham, playwright and screenwriter behind This House, Quiz and Brexit: The Uncivil War. *credits* © AP Archive. Excerpt from ‘Reverend Ian Paisley | The price of Peace | This Week | 1974 https://youtu.be/wOsde5z0XsM Excerpt from Gerry Adams - Panorama Interview [1982] https://youtu.be/wqsfxs8qHu8
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Yemen, with Munya Chawawa
06/30/2021
Yemen, with Munya Chawawa
Until recently, Yemen was seen as a remote part of the world that many Westerners knew very little about, perhaps beyond the book-turned-film 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' and a Friends episode where Chandler moves to 15 Yemen Road. But in the last few years, the conflict there has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing starvation. So why did the violence start? Who are the Houthis? What has been the true impact on Yemen’s civilian population? And what is Britain’s role in all of this? In this episode we were joined by comedian, rapper and satirist Munya Chawawa, as well as Yemen expert Iona Craig. Credits © AP Archive. Boris Johnson remarks, 2017. Excerpt from CNN - 'This war has to end': Watch Biden's Yemen announcement - https://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/02/04/joe-biden-foreign-policy-yemen-saudi-arabia-sot-vpx.cnn Audio clips from Iona Craig
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Syria, with Carey Mulligan
06/23/2021
Syria, with Carey Mulligan
The Syrian conflict is one of the most complex and catastrophic wars of recent memory. It has left more than 380,000 people dead and over 10 million people displaced, has destroyed entire cities and drawn interventions from multiple countries. But what are the roots of this conflict? Why has it been so chaotic? And is there any hope on the horizon for Syria’s devastated civilian population? In this episode we were joined by Carey Mulligan, award winning actor and star of ‘Promising Young Woman’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Waad al-Kateab, Syrian filmmaker and creator of ‘For Sama’. CREDITS: Maysaloon - Pillars Of Creation (Single Performance) | Live at The Imperial War Museum, London, UK (YouTube video clip by Maysaloon) For Sama, Courtesy of Channel 4 / ITN Productions US President Barack Obama in 'red line' warning to Syria over chemical weapons, The Telegraph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avQKLRGRhPU
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Libya, with Inua Ellams
06/16/2021
Libya, with Inua Ellams
Who was Muammar Gaddafi? What happened in the Arab Spring? What were the reasons behind Britain, France and America intervening in Libya in 2011? And why is there still fighting going on today? In this episode we’ll explain the story behind one of the most consequential (and confusing) conflicts of recent times. In this episode, we were joined by the renowned poet and playwright Inua Ellams, who has written plays including Barber Shop Chronicles and An Evening With An Immigrant. ----------------- CREDITS: Muammar Gaddafi - Zenga Zenga Song - Noy Alooshe Remix (YouTube video clip by Noy Alooshe) Clinton recalls night of Benghazi attack, © Associated Press British Foreign Secretary meets head of Libyan National Army, © Associated Press
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Iraq, with Rick Edwards
06/09/2021
Iraq, with Rick Edwards
The Iraq War is one of the most controversial events in recent history. But who really was Saddam Hussein? What was the rationale behind the invasion? What went so badly wrong after 2003? And what are the consequences of the War today? In this episode we were joined by Rick Edwards, TV presenter and former host of T4 and Tool Academy. © AP Archive. © Parliamentary Recording Unit Excerpt from ‘Iraq War Peace Protests (2003) | Footage’ LINK:
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Afghanistan, with Jamali Maddix
06/02/2021
Afghanistan, with Jamali Maddix
9/11. Osama Bin Laden. The Taliban. Helmand. IEDs. These are some of the phrases associated with the War in Afghanistan. But why did Britain, America and others intervene there in 2001? Why did troops stay after the intervention? And what has happened in the region since, in what became America’s longest running conflict? In this week's episode we were joined by comedian Jamali Maddix, presenter of Hate Thy Neighbour and guest on Taskmaster. This episode was recorded in November 2020. *credits*© AP Archive. Trump address to press, March 2020 © AP Archive. Blair reacts to US attacks in Afghanistan, October 2001
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The Yugoslav Wars, with Deborah Frances White
05/26/2021
The Yugoslav Wars, with Deborah Frances White
In the 1990s, countries like Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia saw some of the worst violence in Europe since the Second World War. So why did war break out in the former Yugoslavia, how did the conflict play out, and how far back does the story go? In this week's episode we were joined by Deborah Frances-White, host of podcast. Please be aware this episode includes descriptions of sexual violence that some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, please vist Women for Women International for more information and advice. ----------------- CREDITS: - Oj Alija Aljo - song by Koridor - The Fall of Žepa (Zenica) - video clip from United Nations Television (UNTV) Zagreb Collection, Yugoslavia (UNT 765 ©United Nations) - Excerpt from the Initial Appearance of Slobodan Milošević on 3 July 2001 - video clip from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) LINK: - Excerpt from ‘Gazimestan, 600th anniversary of the Kosovo polje battle’ LINK:
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What is Conflict Of Interest?
05/10/2021
What is Conflict Of Interest?
A new series from Imperial War Museums - subscribe now on your podcast app of choice.
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