Insider: Short of War
Irregular Warfare Initiative 100 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Insider: Short of War is a podcast from the Irregular Warfare Initiative that adapts its articles into audio form. It connects scholars, practitioners, and policymakers through analysis and expert commentary on irregular warfare. The show offers in-depth discussion of current issues and insights from leading voices in the field.
Episodes
Close the Davidson Window: A Strategy of Distributed Deterrence for Taiwan
In this deep dive episode, we explore a critical shift in U.S. defense strategy regarding a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Moving away from the rigid 2027 timeline known as the "Davidson Window," we unpack the concept of "distributed deterrence." Join us as we discuss the vital roles of Special Operations Forces, civil resistance networks, autonomous systems, and a secure defense industria
A Time for Cool Heads and Firm Resolve
This deep-dive discussion unpacks "A Time for Cool Heads and Firm Resolve," analyzing why NATO’s reliance on Cold War paradigms, legacy weapons platforms, and escalating spending targets fails to address modern battlefield realities. The hosts explore the limitations of the nuclear umbrella in conventional conflicts, compare Western defense budgets against Ukrainian battlefield cost-efficiencies,
Are US Security Partnerships Poisoned Chalices? Implications for US Strategy
Join us for a focused deep dive into the complex strategic dynamics of US security partnerships. Drawing from the article "Are US Security Partnerships Poisoned Chalices? Implications for US Strategy," this episode unpacks the theory of intertwined security dilemmas, examines why extending military assistance to misaligned regimes can invite adversary subversion, and outlines how Washington can re
Beyond Kinetic Dominance: “Cognitive Coherence” in Irregular Warfare
In this deep dive discussion, we explore the critical concept of cognitive coherence in irregular warfare. Drawing on case studies from the fall of the Afghan National Security Forces to the evolving conflict dynamics in Colombia, this episode unpacks why tactical military dominance is rarely enough to secure long-term victory. Tune in to understand how aligning military action, institutional mess
Defense Industrial Mobilization Needs More than Startups and Drones
In this episode based on the article "Defense industrial mobilization needs more than startups and drones," we examine the balance between emerging defense tech startups and foundational procurement institutions. We explore why cheap drones and venture capital are insufficient for sustaining long-term military capability, analyze recent policy trends across major and middle powers, and discuss pra
To Disrupt Russia’s Shadow War, Follow the Money
In this deep-dive episode, we explore how Russian illicit finance has evolved into the operational backbone of Moscow’s irregular warfare strategy. From Bulgarian spy rings in English seaside towns to crypto-fueled sabotage gig-economy schemes across Europe, we break down how state intelligence services leverage criminal laundromats, stablecoins, and non-state actors to bypass Western sanctions. T
Ukraine’s Drone Diplomacy: Turning Battlefield Expertise into Strategic Leverage
Explore how Ukraine is converting years of high-intensity counter-UAS combat into powerful diplomatic, economic, and strategic leverage. In this deep dive, we break down the operational lessons learned from Iranian-designed drone swarms, the defense foresight gaps facing Western militaries, and how Kyiv's cost-effective defense innovations are creating new global security partnerships from Europe
25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
In this deep dive episode, we examine the evolution of global terrorism a quarter-century after September 11. Despite decades of U.S. counterterrorism pressure, al-Qaeda and its global affiliates are reconstituting, expanding their reach, and continuing to influence Western political dynamics. We break down the group's global footprint, its ideological resilience, and why the United States cannot
Before Rogers' Rangers: Legitimacy, Partnership, and the Limits of External Sponsorship
In this deep-dive episode, we unpack the structural dynamics of irregular warfare partner forces through the historical lens of 18th-century French-Canadian partisans and their sovereign Indigenous allies. Moving beyond the popular military legacy of Rogers' Rangers, we examine why local legitimacy, mutual interest alignment, and lateral accountability dictate partner force success far more than m
Mind the Gap: Asymmetric Maritime Warfare in Southeast Asian Chokepoints
In this episode, we unpack the strategic potential of asymmetric maritime warfare across Southeast Asia's maritime chokepoints. Analyzing lessons from recent low-cost drone operations and sea-line interdictions, this deep dive explores how uncrewed surface vehicles, partner network integration, and tailored operational pathways can disrupt supply lines and impose disproportionate costs on major ad
Cornered, Not Conquered: Turkish Intelligence and the End of the PKK Insurgency
In this episode, we explore the convergence of high-tech surveillance, targeted strikes, and political off-ramps that led to the dissolution of the PKK insurgency. Analyzing Türkiye's intelligence-strike loop alongside political negotiations, this discussion examines why persistent military pressure alone cannot end an insurgency—and why political pathways are essential to closing a conflict.
Russian Psychological Operations and Informational Warfare in the Middle East and North Africa
In this episode, we unpack how Russian psychological operations and information warfare are deployed across the Middle East and North Africa. From RT Arabic and Sputnik to targeted disinformation campaigns surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, we explore Moscow’s strategic playbook, its exploitation of anti-Western sentiment, and the complex challenges of countering these deeply entrenched di
Terrorism After Ideology
In this episode, we unpack how state proxies, transactional violence, and hybrid tactics are reshaping security across Europe. We explore the operational shift from traditional, ideology-driven movements to disposable terror networks and fluid online radicalization. Join us as we examine why current legal and intelligence frameworks struggle to keep pace with these evolving threats and what struct
Meaning, Myth, and Force Design in U.S. Special Operations
A deep-dive conversation exploring how strategic demand, historical mythology, and institutional feedback reshape U.S. Special Forces force design. This episode examines whether the Green Berets drifted from their unconventional warfare roots or evolved into an indispensable instrument of modern political warfare.
A Case for Cyber Privateering
In this episode, we unpack the strategic argument for employing private cyber actors ("cyber corsairs") to deter state-sponsored cyber aggression. We analyze historical 17th-century maritime privateering parallels, economic asset recovery mechanisms, constitutional precedents under Article I, Section 8, and a proposed federal interagency oversight framework.
What Iran's Crypto Insurance Proposal Means for Irregular Warfare and Shipping in Asia
In this episode, we explore Iran’s "Hormuz Safe" proposal—a Bitcoin-backed insurance mechanism for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. We discuss how Tehran uses digital assets, geography, and legal ambiguity to execute grey-zone coercion without initiating kinetic conflict, and examine the compliance challenges this poses for global shipping.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal is Becoming More Vulnerable
Explore a deep-dive discussion on how the escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict and shifting geopolitical dynamics are straining Pakistan’s nuclear security. This episode breaks down the weakening custodial buffers, the rise of insider threats, recent command restructuring, and why preventing extremist access to tactical warheads remains a critical global priority.
Why Iranian Propaganda Is Getting Uncomfortably Good
In this deep-dive episode, we unpack how state messaging transitioned from rigid revolutionary rhetoric into fluent, algorithm-optimized digital content. We explore the cognitive warfare tactics behind viral Lego-style animations, the role of weaponized satire, and how open digital ecosystems remain vulnerable to real-time emotional manipulation.
Mexico’s Network War—Without a Network Strategy
In this episode, we unpack why Mexico’s two-decade security campaign against organized crime has operated as irregular warfare without a true network strategy. We discuss why capturing cartel leaders causes fragmentation and violent competition rather than stability, and why dismantling political protection networks is only part of the solution. Discover how engaging civil terrain—from searching m
AI in Cyber Conflict: Short-term Offensive Opportunities, Long-term Defensive Advantage
Join us for a deep dive into "AI in Cyber Conflict: Short-term Offensive Opportunities, Long-term Defensive Advantage." This episode unpacks the complex automation gap between cyber offense and defense. We explore why AI's struggle with deception hinders offensive operations, while its pattern recognition strengths empower defenders, offering a nuanced look at the future of irregular warfare.
The Future of Conflict and Special Operations Forces
This episode explores how rapid technological shifts, persistent gray-zone competition, and accelerating innovation are dissolving traditional military advantages. It argues that Special Operations Forces (SOF) must shed legacy habits to serve as vital "coherence agents" and "adaptation engines" capable of navigating the critical seams between emerging systems, strategy, and human judgment.
Irregular Warfare Is Not A Thing
This episode argues that "irregular warfare" is an artificial construct rather than a cohesive concept, which has led to muddled doctrinal definitions that create strategic and policy confusion. To resolve this, author JP Clark proposes breaking the term down into four distinct, practical conversations centered on real-world problems: managing irregular adversaries, forces, situations, and methods
The Afghan Army: What Advisors Couldn’t See and Officers Couldn’t Change
The collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces was not a conventional military defeat, but the inevitable culmination of two decades of systemic institutional failure and deep-seated corruption. This internal rot—characterized by pervasive patronage, diverted supplies, and "ghost soldiers"—was masked by superficial readiness metrics, leaving the military structurally dependent on
What Makes a Weapon Too Horrific to Use?
Public support for military force is heavily driven by the legitimacy of the weapon type and the prevention of civilian harm, rather than tactical effectiveness alone. Because of this, individuals consistently favor precise options like cyber and conventional strikes over indiscriminate systems like WMDs and cluster munitions, even when those precise options carry a much higher risk of operational
Floating Liabilities: Aircraft Carriers in the Age of Precision Strike and Irregular Warfare
This podcast explores how aircraft carriers have transitioned into highly vulnerable, conditional instruments of power, as demonstrated by mid-tier adversaries using low-cost drones and advanced precision missiles to force these multi-billion-dollar assets out of combat range during the 2025–2026 Middle East conflict. To counter these strategic and financial liabilities, it highlights critical nav
Thin Margins, Strategic Effects: Irregular Warfare and Contested Logistics in the Arctic
This episode explores how adversaries like Russia and China can exploit Alaska’s highly concentrated, commercially dependent logistics systems through below-threshold irregular warfare, and why building civil-military resilience across the state is the ultimate foundation for Arctic deterrence.
Kurdish Underground Resistance and Civil Disobedience Against the Iranian Security State
An in-depth, analytical discussion exploring the strategic shift of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from armed confrontation to organized civil disobedience. This episode breaks down how clandestine networks, Starlink satellite mesh technology, and localized strikes circumvented state telecommunications blackouts, while examining the broader geopolitical tensions between Washington, Tehran, and
Gray Zone Contestation Between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea
An analytical deep dive into North Korea's shifting strategic paradigm. This episode explores the emerging risk of gray zone operations in the West Sea following Pyongyang’s abandonment of its unification policy. We break down the historical friction surrounding the Northern Limit Line, examine how fishing fleets can be used to alter boundaries incrementally, and outline the necessary joint respon
Information Disorder and Irregular Warfare: Three Things to Know
In this episode, we dive deep into how "information disorder"—an environment of low barriers to content creation, rapid spread of falsehoods, and algorithmic amplification—is reshaping modern irregular warfare. We unpack three critical lessons for defense planners and security scholars: how digital manipulation hands authoritarian regimes an asymmetric advantage, the ways online falsehoods degrade
Between Scylla and Charybdis: The Gulf’s Irregular Tomorrow
In this episode, we dive deep into the shifting security paradigm of the Arabian Gulf. As traditional U.S. security guarantees face unprecedented strain following key regional events , Gulf states are left navigating a complex dilemma regarding Iran's future. Join us as we unpack the strategic realities of an emboldened versus a fragmented Iran , and explore the rising necessity of an indigenous,
Protocol Insurgency: Winning the War of Conditions in the Digital Age
In this deep-dive discussion, we explore the evolving digital landscape of modern irregular warfare. Shifting from physical battlegrounds to the intangible infrastructure of rules and data standards, we examine how competitor nations build system dependencies and how the U.S. can fight back. We unpack core concepts like protocol insurgency and Technical Foreign Internal Defense (Tech-FID), offerin
Hidden Costs of Precision: What Drone Strikes Actually Do to Civilians
In this deep dive discussion, we explore the groundbreaking empirical research behind the non-lethal fallout of precision warfare. Using billions of cellphone records, this episode reveals how drone campaigns trigger massive civilian displacement and rapid information cascades, creating severe strategic and humanitarian costs that never appear on the official military ledger. Tune in to understand
A Bed-ROC-k for Total Defense: Building a Practical Manual to Disrupt Hybrid Threats and Deter War
In this episode, we unpack the strategic necessity of a practical Total Defense manual designed to counter hybrid threats operating below the threshold of armed conflict. Moving beyond the post-occupation focus of the Resistance Operating Concept (ROC), we explore how modern societies can institutionalize whole-of-society preparedness during peacetime. From the historic operational success of Finl
Is Cognitive Warfare Dead on Arrival?
Is cognitive warfare a revolutionary breakthrough or just a flashy rebranding of psychological operations? In this deep-dive podcast discussion, we unpack the national security hype surrounding "cog war" and explore the four fatal problems threatening its institutional success: measurement, norms, politics, and organizational structure. Discover why emerging AI targeting systems like Lavender and
Winning the Systems War: Why the Army Should Reorganize Itself for Modern Combat
In this episode, we dive deep into the urgent need for the U.S. Army to reorganize for modern combat. We break down the critical shift from traditional warfighting functions to integrated warfighting systems, examining how China's systems confrontation warfare targets American vulnerabilities and exploring historical blueprints for successful structural military reform.
Operationally Detached: Why Decentralization, Not Consolidation, Is the Future of U.S. Army Special Forces
Explore the deep institutional debate over the future of U.S. Army Special Forces in this episode based on the article, "Operationally Detached". We break down why Special Forces decentralization , persistent forward presence , and human networks outvalue high-tech consolidation in the gray-zone steady state. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of historic detachment models and the true value pro
We’ll Go No More Enriching
In this episode, we dive deep into the core arguments of the groundbreaking article "We’ll Go No More Enriching" to explore the hidden mechanics of counterproliferation. While conventional military strikes dominate global news headlines by shattering centrifuges and collapsing deep tunnels , the real, long-term battle centers squarely on human capital—the small, highly specialized cadre of scienti
A New Vision for Special Forces
In part two of this provocative deep dive, we shift our focus from diagnosing the problem to exploring a radical blueprint for the future. The modern battlefield of mega-cities, drone swarms, and advanced electronic warfare requires an entirely new breed of operator. We analyze the proposed Special Forces restructuring—including a bold plan to consolidate specialized units under JSOC and turn rema
The Last A-Team: Special Forces Aren't Special Anymore
In this deep-dive audio discussion, we explore the provocative argument that U.S. Army Special Forces have lost their strategic edge. Originally built for the analog, rural challenges of the 1950s , the modern Green Berets face an existential crisis in today's hyper-surveilled, digital battlefield. This episode breaks down the institutional inertia, the trap of prioritizing mere presence over actu
From Coal to Code to Reactors: How Wyoming’s State and Local Decisions Shape Irregular Warfare
In this deep-dive discussion, we explore why subnational decisions in Wyoming are critical to American strategic advantage. We examine how Cheyenne’s data centers and advanced nuclear reactors in Kemmerer prove that local zoning and utility boards are the unsung actors in modern irregular warfare.
Mercenaries, Private Security, and the Civilian Cost of Outsourced Coercion
In this deep dive, we explore the rise of marketized coercion. We break down how states use private actors to navigate the "gray zones" of modern conflict , the three regulatory blind spots that enable them , and why the current focus on "who" instead of "what" is failing to protect civilians.
Neutrality as Vulnerability: Russia’s Hybrid Playbook in Moldova
This episode features an article exploring how Moldova’s constitutional neutrality has become a strategic vulnerability against Russian hybrid threats. From digital disinformation campaigns and electoral interference to direct military pressures involving Transnistria and the war in Ukraine , this recording examines Chișinău's necessary shift toward Western integration and defense modernization.
Economic Warfare Reimagined: Insurance as a Tool of U.S. Strategic Influence
In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking concept for U.S. strategic influence: "insurance as economic security" (IAES). We discuss how parametric insurance can be weaponized as "insurfare" by civil affairs teams to deliver rapid relief during natural disasters and economic shocks. Tune in to understand how this cost-effective strategy can help the U.S. counter adversary influence in the Global
Conflict Has Memory: Why Local Wars Follow Distinct Trajectories
In this episode, we explore the concept that conflict has memory. We examine why local wars follow distinct trajectories. We also discuss how moving beyond basic incident maps can transform irregular warfare strategy.
Al-Hol’s Collapse: How Syria’s Detention Crisis is Enabling Islamic State Resilience
In this verbatim audio version of "Al-Hol’s Collapse: How Syria’s Detention Crisis is Enabling Islamic State Resilience," we listen to an in-depth analysis of the security transition in northeastern Syria. This episode explores how the fracturing of the detention system provides the Islamic State with opportunities to exploit contested narratives and rebuild its networks.
The Limits of Leadership Decapitation: Strategic Consequences of Overreliance on Military Force for Political Transformation
In this verbatim audio version of "The Limits of Leadership Decapitation: Strategic Consequences of Overreliance on Military Force for Political Transformation," we explore the strategic shortcomings of targeting individual leaders to achieve regime change. Through analyzing case studies like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Venezuela, this episode demonstrates why dismantling broader coercive and financial
How Irregular Forces Exploit Commercial Pathways for Advanced Weapons
In this episode, we explore how irregular forces bypass traditional arms controls to acquire advanced military capabilities. Through the lens of the Libyan conflict, we unpack the commercial pathways—joint ventures, software unbundling, and integration hubs—that enable proxy forces to field precision drone strikes while state sponsors maintain deniability. Tune in to understand why intelligence an
The Insurance Weapon: How Commercial Risk Logic Became an Irregular Warfare Tool at Hormuz
In this latest article, Dr. John George Hatzadony explores how the insurance weapon irregular warfare mechanism closed the Strait of Hormuz in 2026. This audio version details how commercial risk logic converts limited kinetic action into systemic economic disruption.
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Friendly Cyber Fire: How Much Did NotPetya Cost Russia?
In this episode, we explore the true cost of the NotPetya cyberattack—often labeled the most destructive cyber incident in history. While billions in damages affected companies worldwide, far less attention has been paid to the unintended consequences for Russia itself, the attack’s attributed origin. This episode walks through the economic data, methodology, and strategic implications of cyber “s
The Strategic Use of Drones in Pakistan–India Irregular Warfare
In this episode, we break down Dr. Tahir Mahmood Azad’s analysis of India-Pakistan drone warfare, exploring how cheap precision and autonomous systems are rewriting the rules of the "grey zone". We discuss the fallout of the May 2025 crisis, the "cost-asymmetry" of modern defense, and whether these unmanned platforms are pushing nuclear-armed rivals toward a dangerous tipping point.
Arming Kurdish Resistance Fighters in Iran with Drones
In this episode, we examine how Kurdish resistance drones in Iran could transform the battlefield in an irregular conflict with the Iranian regime. Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s drone warfare and global insurgencies, the article explores how affordable unmanned systems could provide Kurdish resistance forces with air support, intelligence, logistics, and psychological leverage. The discussion als
Precision-Guided Predictions: Intelligence Risk in Prediction Markets
In this episode, we read Peter Burns' article on the intelligence risk in prediction markets. We explore how high-liquidity platforms like Polymarket democratize signal intelligence, potentially allowing individuals with inside knowledge to leak state intent. Tune in to hear about real-world examples, from Venezuela to Israel, where prediction markets compromised operational security.
China’s Digital Yuan and the Fight for Southeast Asia’s Financial Infrastructure
This episode analyzes China’s digital yuan as a tool for irregular warfare, exploring how Beijing’s state-controlled currency competes with Japan and South Korea’s stablecoin models for dominance over Southeast Asia’s financial infrastructure.
What I Learned from Being a Planner in an Advisory Command: Reflections from the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine
In this episode, we explore the unique challenges and adaptations of military planning within the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (SAG-U). From shifting mission analysis priorities to the "Four Ways of Seeing" framework, Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Stumpf shares vital reflections on conducting advisory military planning in a complex environment without direct command and control over partne
Northern Approaches: Finland, Sweden, and the Growing Opportunities for Allied Irregular Warfare
Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has significantly bolstered the Alliance's capabilities, adding 15 million people and doubling the NATO-Russia land border to 1,584 miles. This development enhances irregular warfare (IW) opportunities, both defensively and offensively, by leveraging the Nordics' strong militaries, societal resilience, and geographic
American Samoa is America’s Strategic Hub in the South Pacific
American Samoa is a strategic hub in the South Pacific, yet its importance is often overlooked in U.S. defense planning. This episode explores how Pago Pago Harbor’s unique geography, rising Chinese influence, illegal fishing, and illicit trafficking intersect with America’s maritime security challenges. Drawing on history, regional geopolitics, and current infrastructure gaps, the episode makes t
Schrödinger's Security Partner: The Paradox of Measuring Security Force Assistance
U.S. security force assistance is trapped in a “Schrödinger’s Cat” paradox: the very metrics used to measure partner military success distort reality and create the illusion of effectiveness. By relying on easily quantifiable indicators—troop numbers trained, equipment delivered, units certified—the U.S. incentivizes performative behavior by both advisors and partner forces, producing polished rep
NATO’s Latest Doctrine on Security Force Assistance: What’s New?
This episode explores how NATO’s updated Security Force Assistance doctrine reflects lessons from Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Sahel. It examines shifts from counterinsurgency to great-power competition, the growing role of multi-actor SFA environments, training outside the host nation, improved assessment tools, and the integration of human security and international law. Listeners will ga
The Northern Ireland Peace Process: From Armed Conflict to Brexit, by Eamonn O’Kane
This podcast episode explores the Northern Ireland peace process through a close reading of Eamonn O’Kane’s The Northern Ireland Peace Process: From Armed Conflict to Brexit. Tracing events from the Good Friday Agreement through decommissioning, power-sharing, and Brexit, the episode examines how a violent conflict was transformed into a long, fragile political process. It highlights key decisions
Cognitive Warfare and the Indo-Pacific
This episode examines cognitive warfare in the Indo-Pacific and how the United States and its partners can counter PRC influence by shaping narratives, empowering local voices, and leveraging technology. Through real-world examples and a proposed cognitive warfare framework, the conversation explores how information, perception, and digital tools can deter aggression and uphold international norms
Q & A: Karl Marlantes on Vietnam, Leadership, and the Lessons America Still Hasn’t Learned
In this wide-ranging conversation, Karl Marlantes—Marine infantry officer, Navy Cross recipient, and author of Matterhorn—reflects on the Vietnam War and the enduring lessons America has failed to absorb. Drawing on combat experience, literature, and decades of reflection, Marlantes discusses leadership under pressure, moral injury, civil wars, warrior identity, postwar reintegration, and how mode
Angle of Attack: Apache Attack Helicopters in Unmanned Skies
The future of the AH-64 Apache is under intense debate as the U.S. Army balances manned attack helicopters with rapidly advancing unmanned systems. This episode examines the evolution of attack aviation, the rise of drone swarms, manned-unmanned teaming, and whether the Apache can adapt to remain relevant in modern and future conflicts. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, Israel, and decades of Army
Choke Points: Critical Minerals and Irregular Warfare in the Gray Zone
In this episode, Dino Garner explores how critical minerals and irregular warfare intersect in the gray zone. Moving beyond mining myths, the discussion reveals how China’s dominance of mineral processing and refining has become a strategic weapon—one that threatens Western defense supply chains, deterrence, and sovereignty. From rare earths to magnesium, this audio version walks through the indus
CFIUS: Thinking Creatively About National Security
In this episode, we explore how the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) operates at the intersection of economics and national security. From solar farms and hotels to dating apps and food supply chains, the discussion examines how foreign ownership of U.S. assets can create strategic vulnerabilities. Drawing on real-world cases involving China, critical infrastructure, an
The Cyber Wars that Weren't
In this episode, we examine the real-world effectiveness of offensive cyber operations in modern warfare. Using the Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and Israel-Iran conflicts as case studies, the discussion explores how cyberattacks were timed alongside kinetic operations, the role of hacktivists, and why cyber activity has failed to produce decisive battlefield effects. The episode also highlights k
Russian Maritime Sabotage: From Subcomponent of Special Operations to Evolving Form of Irregular Warfare
In this episode, we explore how Russian maritime sabotage has evolved from a niche component of special operations into a broader, scalable form of irregular warfare. Drawing on developments within GUGI, the GRU Spetsnaz, and Russia’s expanding use of uncrewed systems, this audio version examines the shifting threat landscape, the vulnerabilities of undersea infrastructure, and what this transform
Japan’s Strategic Challenges: Historical Lessons and the Imperative for Comprehensive War Understanding
Japan stands at a strategic crossroads. This episode examines how Japan’s postwar pacifism, historical memory, and aversion to war as strategy affect its ability to compete in an era defined by irregular warfare and great-power rivalry. Tracing Japan’s experience from World War II to today, the discussion explores why strategic literacy matters—and what reforms could better position Japan as a cap
Pirates or Proxies? The Uskoks of Senj and Their Lessons for Irregular Warfare
In this episode, we explore the dramatic rise of the Uskoks of Senj—refugees turned maritime raiders—and how they became one of history’s earliest and most revealing examples of proxy warfare. Drawing parallels between their 17th-century operations and modern irregular warfare doctrine, this episode examines their underground networks, guerrilla tactics, and volatile partnership with the Habsburgs
Strategic Disruption from Orbit: Space-Based Capabilities for Irregular Warfare in the Indo-Pacific
This episode covers a deep-dive exploration of how space-based capabilities for irregular warfare can transform security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The podcast examines how satellites, AI-enabled analysis, and commercial space data expose gray-zone activity, enhance maritime surveillance, strengthen partner resilience, and shape narrative competition. Listeners will hear how space tools—from
Gray Zone Clarity: Building Irregular Maritime Intelligence through Civilian-Linked Networks
This episode explores how civilian-linked maritime intelligence can shift the balance in gray zone competition. It explains why local observers, when connected to regional analytic hubs, can generate faster attribution, reduce ambiguity, and strengthen partner decision cycles. Through examples from the Pacific Fusion Centre to the 2024 Second Thomas Shoal crisis, the episode examines how community
Chance and Necessity: Evolving the Supporting Role of SOF to Cyber Operations
In this episode, we examine the evolving role of USSOF cyber operations. From lessons in Ukraine to integrating technology and industry partnerships, learn how Special Operations can enhance strategic outcomes and maintain relevance in modern conflict.
Resistance is Victory: Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report and Resisting Cognitive Coercion
In this episode, we explore Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report and its powerful shift toward national resistance, cognitive resilience, and irregular deterrence. Learn how Taiwan confronts PRC gray zone harassment, cognitive warfare, and narrative manipulation while strengthening societal resilience, military readiness, and whole-of-nation defense. This full-length reading presents a detailed,
Sabotage as a “New Normal”
This episode explores how Russian sabotage in Europe has evolved into a defining feature of the continent’s security landscape. Drawing on recent incidents—from attacks on undersea cables to arson targeting political figures—the narrative examines why sabotage offers Moscow a low-risk, high-reward strategy. We break down misleading trends, the gig-economy model of recruiting saboteurs, vulnerabili
Proxies in Hybrid Operations: Insights from the Partnership for Peace Consortium Workshop Helsinki, Finland, August 2025
In this episode, we explore insights from the 2025 Partnership for Peace Consortium workshop on proxies in hybrid operations. Hear how experts from 12 countries examine Russia’s evolving proxy strategies, regional case studies, and emerging hybrid threats. The discussion outlines a four-pillar framework for understanding and countering proxy activity and highlights the launch of a new collaborativ
The Pentagon Just Issued New Guidance on Irregular Warfare: What Does It Say and Why Should You Care?
This episode examines the Pentagon’s new irregular warfare instruction—what it says, why it was issued, and how it could reshape U.S. military strategy. We break down the updated definition of irregular warfare, explore its expanded scope across domains like cyber and space, and analyze the practical implications for the services, policymakers, and future conflict.
Review of “The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion” by Colin Freeman
In this episode, IWI's Chris Booth reviews The Mad and the Brave by Colin Freeman—a vivid account of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion. Discover how foreign volunteers shaped the war, the leadership missteps that limited their impact, and what their experiences reveal about modern irregular warfare.
Culture on the Front Line: Building Indo-Pacific Resilience through Cultural Property Protection Training
In this episode, we explore how Cultural Property Protection can serve as a powerful tool of irregular warfare in the Indo-Pacific—strengthening regional resilience, countering illicit trafficking, and building trust through shared heritage and preservation.
Media, Martyrdom, & Manipulation
In this episode, we explore how the Kosovo Liberation Army used propaganda, martyrdom, and media manipulation to shape Western narratives during the Kosovo conflict. Learn how perception management, strategic timing, and emotional storytelling influenced NATO’s decision to intervene and redefined modern warfare’s psychological front.
Kings, Usurpers, and Shadow Wars: Lessons on Irregular Warfare from Shakespeare
In this episode, we explore how Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Julius Caesar, Richard III, and Coriolanus offer surprising insights into the psychology and strategy of irregular warfare. From narrative control to the weaponization of public sentiment, Shakespeare’s dramas reveal how legitimacy, loyalty, and perception shape modern conflict more than firepower ever could.
Proxy Armies and Principal–Agent Problems: A Review of Militias in Eastern Ukraine
In this episode, we explore Martin Laryš’ Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine: From Leaderless Rebellion to Proxy Army. The discussion unpacks how Russia leveraged local militias in the Donbas through principal–agent dynamics, exposing the risks, costs, and fragmentation that shaped the early Russo-Ukrainian War. We examine how weak social ties, decentralization, and opportunistic leadership contrib
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