The Trident
The Trident is a podcast from the U.S. Naval War College's Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups (CIWAG). Hosted by Director Dave Brown, Col. (Retired), it features conversations with professionals, academics, and other experts. The show examines threats and challenges in the international security environment. These discussions focus on issues directly and indirectly connected to irregular warfare.
Episodes
Episode 24: The Race to Mukalla, Arabian Elite Forces and the War Against Al-Qaeda - (book II in a series with Michael Knights)
Guests Michael Knights and co-host Jane Stokes re-join Dave Brown to discuss the second book in Knight’s series detailing the outcome of a set of modern irregular warfare operations over control of Southern Yemen in 2015. The first book (25 Days to Aden) detailed the Yemeni Houthis’ attempts to take over the port of Aden in their coup against the UN-backed government of the country. Now in the sec
Episode 23: Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022 - Implications for the Changing Character of War
Guest Dr. John Pennell and co-host Dr. Heidi Lane join Dave Brown to discuss Pennell’s book Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022, which examines Russia’s broader approach to war—one that blends political warfare, military force, influence operations, and strategic intent.Co-Host/Guests:Heidi Elizabeth Lane, Ph.D. is a professor of strategy and policy and director of the Great
Episode 22: Resilience and Resistance: Interdisciplinary Lessons in Competition, Deterrence, and Irregular Warfare
Guests Robert Burrell and John Collison join Dave Brown to discuss this comprehensive volume which provides the first canon for SOF, interagency, and conventional forces to understand irregular warfare, and the emerging areas of Resilience and Resistance within international competition, and deterrence. The book highlights the asymmetric strategies of adversaries to subvert the international order
Episode 21: Casting Shadows on Darkened Fleets; the Maritime Irregular Fight for International Sanctions Enforcement
Guests Michelle Bockmann, John Driscoll, and Tomer Raanan join Dave Brown to discuss the so-called ‘shadow fleet’, describing the large, and growing unregulated network of aging oil tankers and cargo ships, (often older than 15 years), that use deceptive practices like turning off maritime tracking systems, faking identities (false flags/names), and using shell companies to operate outside interna
Episode 20: Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects
Guest Craig Whiteside and co-host Tim Hoyt join Dave Brown to discuss a recent book on Special Operations capabilities being developed by violent non-state actors, including various militants, mercenaries, and even criminal organizations. Join us for this discussion on the growing and emerging capabilities of the dark side of international security, as we examine the recent book, Non-State Special
Episode 19: Maritime Sabotage: The Hidden War Underseas
Guests James Langan, Andrew Rolander, and co-host Jahara ‘Franky’ Matisek join Dave Brown to discuss Maritime Sabotage; the deliberate targeting of undersea, pipelines, ports and energy hubs. It’s a story of hidden infrastructure, high stakes and shadowy actors who operate just below the threshold of open war – i.e., maritime irregular warfare.Articles:What is known a
Episode 18: 25 Days to Aden; The Unknown Story of Arabian Elite Forces at War (a book series with Michael Knights)
Guests Michael Knights and co-host Jane Stokes join Dave Brown to discuss the first book in a series detailing the outcome of a set of modern irregular warfare operations over control of Southern Yemen in 2015. The first book details the Yemeni Houthis’ attempts to take over the port of Aden in their coup against the UN-backed government of the country. The opposing f
Episode 17: The Janus Protocol: Drones – The New Face of Warfare
Guests Nolan Peterson and Kateryna Bondar join host Dave Brown to discuss the rapid expansion of drone warfare across numerous conflict zones. Janus, the Roman God of new beginnings, symbolizes the change from one condition to another and from past to future. The two faces of Janus also represent transitions because he could see into the past with one face, and toward the future with the other. Th
Episode 16: Tangled Tensions; Is Syria the Next Threshing Floor On the Counter-Terrorism Landscape?
Guests Gen (Retired) Joseph L. Votel, and Dr. Colin P. Clarke join host Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Heidi Lane to discuss the U.S. mission in Syria and the implications for U.S. counter-terrorism in the region and continuing to prevent the re-emergence of ISIS.Articles:In Syria, America Should Be Ruthlessly Focused on the Islamic State, J. Votel & E. Dent, WOTR, 17 Jan 2025Trump
Episode 15: Sun Tzu’s Imperative – to Win Without Fighting; A Strategic Approach
Guests Rebecca Patterson, Susan Bryant, Ken Gleiman, and Christian Trotti join host Dave Brown to discuss the subject of their recent book "Winning Without Fighting: Irregular Warfare and Strategic Competition in the 21st Century."“This book presents a framework for an American grand strategy that extends beyond traditional military conflict, focusing on irregular warfare methods th
Episode 14: Unraveling the Gordian Knot; the Power of Network Engagement
Guest Reyes Cole joins host Dave Brown to discuss the subject of Network Engagement, a growing area of doctrinal importance for various types of operational analysis, and one that underpins nearly every operational mission set, as well as every one of the currently identified Irregular Warfare activities.Articles:Outmatched - Shortfalls in Countering Threat Networks, D. Doran, NDU Press, JFQ
Episode 13: The Dolus Deception: Deepfake Technology and the Fight Against Falsehood & Disinformation
Guests Dr. Hany Farid and Ted Schlein join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Tim Schultz to discuss deepfake technology and the challenge of the proliferation of fake news and disinformation. One of Aesop’s fables was titled Prometheus and Dolus, or sometimes alternatively titled, On Truth and Falsehood. In the fable, Prometheus can bring to life the figures he creates, and so he make
Episode 12: Playing with Fire: Election Violence in the U.S. in 2024 & Beyond
Professor Jacob Ware joins host Col. Dave Brown and Dr. Timothy Hoyt to discuss both current manifestations of and potential future episodes of election violence in this presidential election cycle. Quoting from one of Professor Ware's recent articles, "counterterrorism scholars and analysts have predicted for [some time] that the 2024 presidential election would provide a particularly volatile fl
Episode 11: Viribus Mari Victoria: The U.S. Naval War College – 140 Years of Excellence
In this special episode, on the occasion of the 140th Anniversary of the U.S. Naval War College, we take a break from the annals of Irregular Warfare and focus on the historical legacy and significance of this storied institution. Viribus Mari Victoria: or from the Latin (Victory thru Sea Power) is the motto of the college, and Dr. John Hattendorf and Dr. John Maurer join host COL Dave Brown as th
Episode 10: Shadows of 9/11: Simmering Threats & Dormant Dangers
Marking the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, guests Dr. Tim Hoyt and Dr. Craig Whiteside join host Col. Dave Brown as they revisit their policy roundtable 2019 article, “Retrospect and Prospect: On Endless War,” and continue their discussion and analysis of not only how American thinking and counter-terrorism efforts have evolved, but that the simmering threats of Al-Qa'ida and the Islamic St
Episode 9: The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf
In conjunction with the 2024 Maritime Symposium: Exploring Our Maritime Strategies II, guests Royal Navy Commodore Adrian Fryer (Ret.) and Mr. Evan Curt join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Jon R. Huggins to discuss security threats to shipping, particularly energy exports sailing through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Listen to this episode to gain an overview of the security threats
Episode 8: The Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea
In conjunction with the 2024 Maritime Symposium: Exploring Our Maritime Strategies II, guests Capt. Joe Baggett, Nadwa Al-Dawsari, and Evan Curt join host Col. Dave Brown to discuss the Houthi attacks on global shipping vessels and U.S. warships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in the Red Sea. Listen to this episode to gain an overview of the threat to this critical maritime region.Articles:DIA R
Episode 7: Dire Straits – Maritime Attacks in the Red Sea & the Persian Gulf
In anticipation of CIWAG’s 2024 Maritime Symposium: Exploring Our Maritime Strategies – II, scheduled for June 24-25, Guest Dr. Ian Ralby joins host Col. Dave Brown to discuss the two great maritime straits in the Middle East. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf currently share several things; both are under threat and both have tremendous implicati
Episode 6: Navigating Arctic Ambitions - Frozen Water & Warming Seas
Guests Dr. Lawson Brigham and Dr. Rebecca Pincus join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Walter Berbrick to discuss the growing importance of the Arctic Sea as an area of economic resources, Trans-Arctic shipping routes, and a potential zone of international security concerns. This episode will touch upon items relating to the Arctic Council, Arctic development, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine
Episode 5: Wagner - The Rise and Fall of a Russian Mercenary Group
Guests Dr. Colin Clarke and Raphael Parens join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Christopher Faulkner to discuss the Wagner Group’s rise and fall, as well as what’s happened to the group since the death of its leader in August 2023. Private military companies (PMCs) have been around for decades, but Russia’s use of these private military entities has become an increasingly
Episode 4: Against All Enemies – Foreign and Domestic; the Growth of Far-Right Extremism in America
Guests Dr. Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Timothy Hoyt to discuss the modern growth of Far-Right terrorism in the United States; its definitions and distinctions, historical roots, major groups, recruitment, connections to U.S. military services, international expansion, and policy options in confronting these emerging militant movements.
Episode 3: Blue Water Horizon: Building Maritime Capacity in the Indo-Pacific
Guests Jada Fraser and Dr. Scott Edwards join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Curtis Bell to analyze the continuing and growing need for broad and comprehensive maritime collaboration to protect shared commerce and increase security across the vastness of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.Articles:The Quad, AUKUS, and I2U2 formats: Major lessons from mini-laterals;
Episode 2: The Edge of Tomorrow: Analyzing Emerging IW Trends
Guests LTG David Barno and Dr. Nora Bensahel join host Col. Dave Brown and co-host Dr. Timothy Hoyt to analyze emerging trends in the character of Irregular Warfare (IW), as seen in the on-going conflicts in both Ukraine and Gaza.Article: Learning from Real Wars: Gaza and Ukraine - War on the Rocks, D. Barno & N. Bensahel, War on the Rocks, Dec 6, 2023.------
Episode 1: Words Matter: Irregular Warfare Definitions and Constructs
Guests Robert S. Burrell, Richard Tilley, and David H. Ucko join host Col. Dave Brown to discuss the definition of Irregular Warfare (IW), its changing construct in DoD, and its overall utility. The group touches on the broader dimensions of the “competition” space indirectly affecting both IW and the larger international security environment.Article: A Full Spectrum of Conflict Des
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