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Irregular Warfare Initiative reposted this
New Irregular Warfare Initiative Podcast! It was a real pleasure getting to have a conversation with Sean McFate, PhD and Ed Croot about Irregular Warfare and the Pacific. As always both these men provide some thought-provoking takes on a difficult topic. Thanks to Don Edwards for co-hosting. Kyle Atwell Benjamin Jebb Frank Struzinski Adam DS Julia McClenon
🌏 New Podcast Episode Alert: Sneaky Wars in the Indo-Pacific 🎙️ In today's fast-evolving security landscape, irregular warfare is reshaping the Indo-Pacific. Tune into Episode 119 of our podcast, where we sit down with Dr. Sean McFate and COL Ed Croot to explore: 💡 The concept of 'Sneaky War' ⚔️ Blurring lines between conventional and irregular warfare 🛡️ Countering global powers like China with unconventional strategies 🕵️♂️ The rise of private military groups like Wagner 📢 Combating disinformation in the modern era Our Guests: 🎓 Dr. Sean McFate: National security expert, author of The New Rules of War, and professor at Georgetown, NDU, & Syracuse. 🎖️ COL Ed Croot: Special Operations veteran and former Operations Director for Special Operations Command – Pacific. 🔗 Don’t miss this insightful discussion. Listen now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePgFWVkT Let’s rethink the rules of warfare together. How can irregular strategies shape a more secure future? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇 #IrregularWarfare #IndoPacific #NationalSecurity #Podcast #Leadership #Defense
🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Irregular Warfare Initiative! 🦃🍂 This Thanksgiving, we extend our gratitude to our global community of scholars, practitioners, and supporters who are committed to advancing understanding and dialogue of Irregular Warfare. As we reflect on the year, we are thankful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and contribute to the collective knowledge in this ever-evolving field. Wishing you and your loved ones a day filled with warmth, connection, and gratitude. Together, we strengthen the bonds that drive innovation and collaboration. #Thanksgiving #IrregularWarfare #Community #Gratitude #Collaboration
💥 #ICYMI: Decapitating The Hydra: Iran’s Response Options To Israel’s Offensive 💥 Israel's bold strikes against Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis have sent shockwaves through the Middle East, dismantling key elements of Iran’s regional influence. With high-profile commanders eliminated and operations disrupted, Tehran is grappling with how to respond without risking further instability at home or provoking a direct confrontation with Israel and its allies. Key takeaways: 🔹 Hezbollah’s Leadership Hit Hard: Israeli tactics forced Hezbollah into a defensive posture, leaving its command vulnerable and severely weakened. 🔹 Regional Proxy Network Crippled: Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have all lost key figures, creating operational vacuums difficult for Iran to fill. 🔹 Iran’s Credibility on the Line: With its proxies hesitant to retaliate and internal unrest mounting, Tehran faces a dilemma—how to maintain influence without escalating into a war it can’t win. Now with the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire taking hold and Israel's strategy reshaping the balance of power in the region, the question remains: Can Iran recover its foothold, or is its proxy network irreversibly damaged? Let us know in the comments below. 🔗 #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel #IrregularWarfare https://lnkd.in/ecjmnP9b
🌍 #ICYMI: Irregular Warfare Podcast - Episode 118 In this episode, we explore the critical role of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in defining and addressing modern conflict. Featuring insights from: 🎙️ The Honorable Chris Maier (Asst. SecDef for SOLIC) 🎙️ COL Patrick Nelson (Commander, 7th Special Forces Group) Key topics include: ✅ SOF's unique value in preparing the theater and setting conditions for success. ✅ Building capable and credible forces through specialized skills and human talent. ✅ The importance of permissions, mandates, and authorities in SOF operations. Hosted by Frank Struzinski and Don Edwards, this episode is part of the SOF Special Project. 📢 Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of SOF! Listen now and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gA_q552u #IrregularWarfare #SpecialOperations #Leadership #NationalDefenseStrategy
Irregular Warfare Initiative reposted this
Stay tuned for an upcoming Irregular Warfare Initiative podcast about the future of special operations featuring USSOCOM GEN Bryan Fenton, CSM Shane Shorter, and me discussing the Useful Fiction Joint Special Operations University #FICINT anthology THE FOURTH AGE OF SOF... Thanks to Benjamin Jebb and Louis Tobergte for the invitation. Their podcast is on my regular "must-listen" list, so recording in person at Modern War Institute at West Point the allowed me an up-close chance to see behind the scenes. While technology lets us close massive distances in real-time, there is nothing better than being able to sit down in person and see where the conversation goes... We covered a range of topics tied to the "Fourth Age of SOF" themes within the anthology, from the project's genesis, the importance of story within the special operations community, how SOCOM's past influences its future, the traits of future special operators, the present shift to large-scale combat operations, and more. As a launching point for any change-oriented discussion, there's nothing better than fiction. While this anthology features stories by Peter W. Singer and me inspired by each of the historical "three ages," the most important voices are the narratives written by personnel from within the SOCOM community like Steve Ferenzi Kaley Scholl Scott Simeral Brendan Dunne Isaiah (Ike) Wilson III Ahead of the podcast, check out the anthology. Then listen. Discuss. Innovate. Create. Shape SOCOM's future. https://lnkd.in/eCpi7kWR.
Check out the latest from our co-founder and chairman of the board ⬇️
U.S. Army Officer | Chair of the Board Irregular Warfare Initiative | Princeton Ph.D. Candidate | Atlantic Council Senior Fellow
New publication! Conventional and joint force commanders need to understand how to employ SOF in large-scale combat operations. SOF can provide a key shaping effort in major war. To understand the role of SOF in future LSCO, retired LTG Ken Tovo, 2LT Anthony Marco and I explore the role of unconventional warfare in major wars since World War I. We argue that joint force commanders employ SOF to SUPPLEMENT where conventional lines are thin, and to SUBSTITUTE in areas where conventional forces face political or physical constraints to operating. While SOF experts will find this interesting, our target audience is national security leaders who are less familiar with the historic role of SOF in major wars. Article here: https://lnkd.in/gg3jGkEd Justin Hufnagel William Krebs Mike Nagata General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.) Guido Torres Leo Blanken Colin Jackson Benjamin Jebb Tobias Bernard Switzer Sam Winter-Levy Doug Livermore Joseph Votel Stan McChrystal Heritier Diakabana Steve S. Steven Metz Alexandra Chinchilla David Doyle Tom Barron Benjamin Arbitter John Nagl Jonathan Bate Mark Hertling, DBA Ben Hodges Jordan Becker Vladimir Rauta James Kiras
OTD in Irregular Warfare History: On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was tragically assassinated. A leader who inspired a generation with his vision for a better America, President Kennedy championed peace, civil rights, and the pursuit of the impossible. His words—'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country'—continue to resonate as a call to service and unity. In the 21st century, assassinations are alive and well. #ICYMI read IWI's Doug Livermore's article on Russia's use of assassinations, and what the west can do to counter these acts of aggression. #JFK #Legacy #November22 #IWI #assassination https://lnkd.in/eybDmkpe
💵 Money Talks and Hunger Walks: Understanding State Influence through Aid In the latest article from the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Tom Johansmeyer explores the strategic use of economic tools like aid, loans, and trade to mitigate the influence of adversarial powers. Key Insights: • Economic Influence as a Weapon: State actors use aid, debt relief, and trade deals to build alliances and increase dependency. • Resisting Adversarial Influence: Allies can use targeted assistance to support governance, strengthen institutions, and counter malign efforts. • Strategic Recommendations: Policymakers must align aid with long-term security goals, ensuring sustainability and mutual benefit. • Real-World Examples: The author provides practical cases demonstrating successes and challenges in combating state-led economic coercion. Explore how #economicinfluence shapes the global security environment and what steps can be taken to build sustainable, effective alliances. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gqXSzGZi
🎧 Listen to yesterday's article "The Day After Nasrallah: Succession and Strategic Opportunities" on the go! IWI's second podcast Insider: Short of War turns our articles into podcasts so you can benefit from our expert contributors anytime, anywhere. #Podcast #IrregularWarfare https://lnkd.in/giMQdA6D