Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: How Scotland Fought for Freedom with Professor Michael Brown

We're heading back to medieval Scotland in this episode of Why Wars Happened. Our guest, historian Michael Brown from the University of St. Andrews and author of The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371, takes us deep into the real story behind the Scottish Wars of Independence. From the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce to shifting alliances, brutal battles, and the roots of the Stewart dynasty, this isn’t just about war—it’s about identity, language, and survival. We also talk about Scotland’s climate, trade, and regional differences that shaped its long struggle for autonomy. If you think you know this chapter of history, think again.

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast

00:48 Meet Michael Brown: Expert on Scottish History

01:20 The 13th Century in Scotland: Alba vs. Scotland

02:02 Language Transition in Medieval Scotland

03:35 Population and Clans in Medieval Scotland

07:22 The Role of Lords and Nobles in Scotland

11:34 The Anglo-Scottish Relationship and Wars of Independence

14:10 Challenges of Historical Research

16:51 Debates and Controversies in Scottish History

19:21 Internal Changes in Scotland: 13th to 14th Century

23:06 Adapting to Change: Agriculture and Colonization

23:18 Impact of the Plague on Population and Colonization

25:08 Warfare and Population Movements

26:38 Robert Bruce's Tactics and Legacy

28:03 Hypothetical Scenarios in Scottish History

32:37 The Rise of the Stewarts

34:59 Misconceptions About Medieval Scotland

38:17 Conclusion and Upcoming Works

#historypodcast

#Whywarshappened

#whywarshappen

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: President Bush Biographer on the Iraq War - Robert Draper

Welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History podcast! In this episode, we dive into the causes and events of the Iraq War with our special guest, acclaimed New York Times journalist and author Robert Draper.

Draper, who had direct access to members of the Bush administration, including President George W. Bush himself, shares insights from his book 'To Start a War: How the Bush Administration Took America into Iraq.' We discuss the historical backdrop of Saddam Hussein's regime, the impact of 9/11, the controversial weapons of mass destruction, and the complex post-war consequences.

Tune in as Draper provides a comprehensive look into the intricate layers of war planning, intelligence failures, and the lasting repercussions of the Iraq War. This is an episode packed with detailed analysis and behind-the-scenes perspectives you won't want to miss.

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happen History Podcast

00:49 Interview with Robert Draper: Access to Sources

02:32 The Gulf War and Its Impact on the 2003 Iraq War

06:17 Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Iraq Survey Group

15:40 Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda: Unraveling the Myths

21:38 Post-War Planning: Departmental Conflicts

27:12 The Legacy of the Iraq War and Bush's Reflection

28:57 Conclusion and Upcoming Projects

#IraqWar

#WarinIraq

#CoalitionoftheWilling

#OperationIraqiFreedom

#MilitaryHistory

#WarHistory

#USArmy

#ColonelKevinBenson

#WhyWarsHappened

#whywarshappen

#DefenseStrategy

#WarPlanning

#WarfarePodcast

#HistoryPodcast

#ModernWarfare

#InsiderMilitary

#MilitaryLeadership

#911History

#CatastrophicSuccess

#MilitaryDecisionMakers

#AmericanHistory

#GlobalConflict

#MilitaryOperations

#Bushwar

#post911warfare

#WeaponsofMassDestruction

#WMDs

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: Mastermind of Operation Iraqi Freedom Col. Kevin Benson joins us in a candid talk

Welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History podcast! In this special episode, we are joined by a very distinguished guest, Colonel Kevin Benson, a retired and highly decorated US Army veteran who played a pivotal role in making decisions during the Iraq War.

Join us as we delve into the causes and outcomes of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the extensive planning involved, and the concept of 'catastrophic success.' Discover the strategic decisions and meticulous preparations from someone who was at the helm of one of the most significant military campaigns of our time. Don't miss this rare opportunity to gain an insider's perspective on warfare and history!

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happen History Podcast

00:45 Meet Colonel Kevin Benson

01:30 Operation Iraqi Freedom Overview

04:52 Challenges and Planning of the Iraq War

08:11 Historical Context and Naming of Operations

09:31 Colonel Benson's Military Experience

17:52 Impact of 9/11 on Military Operations

20:28 Logistics and Planning Complexities

27:19 Introduction to Snowflakes

30:35 Challenges in Planning and Execution

31:50 War Gaming and Tactical Adjustments

41:13 Exit Strategy and Post-War Planning

44:07 Catastrophic Success and Logistical Challenges

49:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

#IraqWar

#WarinIraq

#CoalitionoftheWilling

#OperationIraqiFreedom

#MilitaryHistory

#WarHistory

#USArmy

#ColonelKevinBenson

#WhyWarsHappened

#whywarshappen

#DefenseStrategy

#WarPlanning

#WarfarePodcast

#HistoryPodcast

#ModernWarfare

#InsiderMilitary

#MilitaryLeadership

#911History

#CatastrophicSuccess

#MilitaryDecisionMakers

#AmericanHistory

#GlobalConflict

#MilitaryOperations

#Bushwar

#post911warfare

#WeaponsofMassDestruction

#WMDs