Agile, Adaptable, AFSOC: Building Edge in Contested Skies
Episode 129 examines how Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is recalibrating for great-power competition while still answering today’s crisis-response and counter-VEO demands. Lieutenant General Michael E. Conley and Dr Kerry Chávez join the Irregular Warfare Podcast to unpack strategy, technology, and talent development at the sharp edge of
Five Years of IWI: From Podcast to Platform
Episode 128 marks a special milestone as the Irregular Warfare Podcast celebrates its five-year anniversary. Our guests reflect on the journey from a simple podcast idea in a graduate school classroom to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 70 volunteers worldwide. They share the origin story of IWI,
Letter from the Board of Directors
Editor’s Note: the IWI Board of Directors approved its first annual “IWI Strategic Plan: 2025-2035” on 01 September 2024. The plan articulates IWI’s organizational purpose, strategic goals and implementation through three phases, a market analysis, an overview of its services and operations, and its organizational and leadership structure.
Drones are Here to Stay: The Proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Systems Across the Spectrum of War
Episode 108 examines the use of unmanned aerial systems across the spectrum of conflict. This episode is part of IWI’s special project, Project Air and Space Power. Our guests explore the use of the full range of UAS technology by both state and nonstate actors. They unpack the democratization
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants
Episode 101 examines the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants. Our guests begin by introducing the concept of DDR and discussing how the DDR process plays a role in preventing the recurrence of conflict. They then discuss some common challenges of implementing and monitoring DDR efforts, providing some real-world
Armed Politics
Episode 97 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast focuses on a theory of armed politics as proposed by General Sir Nick Carter. We recorded this episode in late spring of last year during one of General Carter’s visits to Stanford University as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow. Our guests begin by
The Defense of Europe: The Trans-Atlantic Relationship After Two Years of War
Episode 94 examines the current state of European defense policy and the state of the trans-Altantic relationship after two years of war in Ukraine. This episode has been created in collaboration with Foreign Policy and the Foreign Policy Live podcast. Our guests begin by framing the current state of European
Dealers and Brokers in Proxy Wars: Exploring All Means Available
Episode 92 examines conflict delegations and the roles of intermediary actors within proxy conflict. Our guests introduce the idea of intermediaries and pull from academic and practical experience to set the stage. Along with other historical examples, they examine the role Pakistan played as a key go-between from the Soviet
Who's Watching the Watchmen? Congressional Oversight of Irregular Warfare
Episode 86 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines U.S. Congressional oversight of irregular warfare activities. Our guests begin by highlighting the difficulties associated with conducting congressional oversight of irregular warfare. They then unpack the complexities of the AUMF, the separation of Title 10 and Title 50 concerns, and the
The Digital Bear in Ukraine: Russian Cyber Operations Since 2014
Episode 77 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, which is also the second installment of the IWI Project on Cyber, explores cyber operations in the war in Ukraine. Our guests examine the use of cyber warfare and digital information operations in Ukraine since 2014. They begin by highlighting the differences between
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
