Yesterday’s, Today’s, and Tomorrow’s Small Wars
In the inaugural article for Small Wars Journal’s newly revamped website, now hosted by Arizona State University, IWI Project Air & Space Power Director Richard Newton and Advisor Kerry Chávez delve into the evolution of small-scale conflicts. They further explore their historical roots, contemporary dynamics, and potential future developments
Beyond Binaries: Cyber Force Generation and the SOCOM-like Model
This article is part of Project Cyber, which explores and characterizes the myriad threats facing the United States and its allies in cyberspace, the information environment, and conventional and irregular spaces. Please contact us if you would like to propose an article, podcast, or event environment. We invite you to
Space, Speed, and Sovereignty: China's Growing Space Footprint in Latin America
As the U.S.-China rivalry extends into space, national security concerns are intensifying. In a recent JGI Policy Pulse podcast, Florida International University Professor Leland Lazarus discusses these developments with Guido Torres, Executive Director of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, and Laura Delgado Lopez, a former Visiting Fellow at the
“I Want to Live”: Psychological Warfare for the Modern Era
In the evening of August 6, 2024, the smartphones of Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast lit up with messages decrying “the flames of war unleashed by Putin” that “have spread to the Kursk region” and the “senseless bloodbath in Ukraine.” They called on Russian troops to “extinguish this fire” by
Adapting to the Unpredictable: Climate’s Impact on Irregular Warfare
Episode 117 examines the intersection of climate change, national security, and irregular warfare, with a particular focus on how environmental changes are reshaping global security challenges from the Arctic to the Pacific Islands. Our guests begin by exploring pivotal moments in the evolution of environmental security and its impact on
Israel, Hezbollah, and Arab Hostility
Israel is conducting extensive attacks against Lebanon—for the sixth time in their shared history—after months of a military back-and-forth with the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah. In late September, Israel assassinated Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Hasan Nasrallah, as part of a systematic offensive against dozens of Hezbollah military sites
Ukraine's Railway Wars: How to Sabotage Russian Military Logistics
Editor’s Note: This article is a part of Project SOF in Competition. The project explores the intersection among irregular warfare, SOF, and broader national security challenges. We invite your participation and engagement as we embark on this project. If you would like to contribute to the Special Project, please
SOF and Influence Activities
Episode 116 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the role of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in influence activities, featuring insights from Professor Martijn Kitson and Major General Ron Smits. The guests discuss the value proposition of SOF in influence operations, emphasizing their ability to integrate various capabilities for maximum effect.
Bridging the Gap: Why Conventional Forces Need Irregular Warfare Training
The Army is undergoing a major transition as it refocuses toward its pacing threat and modernizes for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) against a near-peer adversary. In preparing for this future possibility, it should not forget the lessons of the past 20 years nor fall into the post-Vietnam trap of
Partners in Peril: Hybrid Threats Come for Jordan
This article is part of Project Proxies and Partners, which explores the promises and pitfalls of security cooperation in war, at peace, and in between. We invite you to contribute to the discussion, explore the difficult questions, and help influence the future of proxies and partners. Please contact us if
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
