China’s Digital Yuan and the Fight for Southeast Asia’s Financial Infrastructure
While China’s Belt and Road Initiative often emerges in headlines, a far less visible but potentially more critical campaign is underway in the digital domain. Across Southeast Asia, Beijing is expanding its financial infrastructure reach through the digital yuan, operating firmly in the gray zone by leveraging emerging technology
What I Learned from Being a Planner in an Advisory Command: Reflections from the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine
✉️ Email header below is auto-generated from this post’s author tag. It only appears in the newsletter — please don’t edit or delete it. “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” General Eisenhower’s famous words echoed in my mind as I embarked on a challenging six-month stint
The Colombia Case Study: Legitimacy, Naming, and Irregular Warfare
“Conflict does not end… it reclassifies.” Abstract Information and influence operations are often described as modern capabilities shaped by post‑9/11 irregular warfare doctrine. In practice, they represent a longstanding function of statecraft that predates current terminology and frequently persists long after formal conflict ends. This article uses Colombia
Drone Warfare in Ukraine: Myths and Reality
The European Programme of the Irregular Warfare Initiative is proud to present another episode of the Notes from the Eastern Front: Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War series. The discussion is hosted by Ukraine Hub Lead, Armenak Ohanesian, and Dr Olga R. Chiriac, Europe Programme Director. Our guest is Ivan
Northern Approaches: Finland, Sweden, and the Growing Opportunities for Allied Irregular Warfare
“Irregular warfare enhances posture and options to counter an adversary’s gray zone activities and their counterintervention strategies” -Senate Armed Services Committee testimony of former Assistant Secretary of Defense Christopher Maier and GEN (R) Bryan Fenton, 10 April 2024 Galvanized by Russia’s war of conquest in Ukraine, the two
Competitive Intervention, Proxy War, and Military Assistance: Anderson, Eyre, and Kuhlman
Episode 146 examines the impact of external military assistance on civil wars. Summary This conversation delves into the complexities of competitive intervention in civil wars, exploring the types of military aid provided, how external support influences conflict dynamics, and implications for practitioners and policymakers. The discussion highlights the prevalence of
American Samoa is America’s Strategic Hub in the South Pacific
American Samoa is home to Pago Pago Harbor, a rare natural deepwater port in the South Pacific. One hundred twenty-five years ago, Samoan leaders agreed to place American Samoa under US Navy jurisdiction for its own security, and it later became a US territory. The island played a vital
Schrödinger's Security Partner: The Paradox of Measuring Security Force Assistance
U.S. security cooperation
Emerging Technology and Irregular Warfare: Launching a New Focus Area
Technology Is Redefining Irregular Warfare. Here's What That Means There's no agreed-upon playbook for emerging technology in the gray zone, and no consensus on what's next. Experts debate competing timelines. The policy community commissions studies that become outdated before publication. And those working
The Role of Foreign Fighters in a Taiwan Resistance Scenario
"Taiwanese veterans who fought in Ukraine’s International Legion against Russia have returned with a stark warning: Taiwan is not ready for war with China." While diplomatic efforts and military deterrence strategies dominate headlines on Taiwan, a less explored area is the potential role of foreign fighters should
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
