Quantifying the Gray Zone: A Framework for Measuring Hybrid Warfare Power Balances
Editor’s Note: this article is being republished with the permission of Small Wars Journal as part of a republishing arrangement between IWI and SWJ. The original article was published on 06.17.2025 and is available here. The contemporary security environment defies traditional categorizations of war and peace. We
Hezbollah’s Hybrid Model Under Strain: Relative Decline and the Evolving Dynamics of Irregular Warfare in Lebanon
Since its founding in 1985, Hezbollah has stood out as a prototype of the modern hybrid actor. Hezbollah seamlessly blended irregular warfare tactics, conventional capabilities, political participation, and a deep-rooted social service network. In irregular warfare theory, such actors derive their strength from asymmetry, population control, and strategically using
Exploring African Perspectives on Irregular Warfare
Across Africa, “conventional warfare […] is irregular and irregular warfare is conventional.” That is how a Nigerian general officer described the state of warfare in his region to the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Irregular Warfare Center (IWC). While key U.S. strategy documents call on U.S.
Irregular Warfare Initiative Writing Contest: "Irregular Allies: Strengthening Regional Partnerships through Unconventional Means"
Note from the Editor: This is our first writing contest emphasizing short responses to a tailored, real-world scenario. We hope this challenge will pull forward research ideas and professional observations, and focus them into actionable recommendations for policymakers or practitioners to take to the next level. We are also
Operation Spider’s Web and the Future of Asymmetric Warfare
Episode 130 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast takes listeners inside Operation Spider’s Web—Ukraine’s bold campaign of long-range drone strikes targeting Russian military and industrial infrastructure. Our guests begin by examining why Ukrainian defense planners opted for this unprecedented strike operation and how it was designed to
Comparative Insurgencies: Strategic Lessons for Myanmar’s Resistance from Syria’s Regime Collapse
Editor’s Note: this article is being republished with the permission of Small Wars Journal as part of a republishing arrangement between IWI and SWJ. The original article was published on 05.23.2025 and is available here. On the morning of December 8, 2024, the world was stunned by
Preparedness and Parallels: Lessons in Crisis Preparedness from Sweden and Latin America
Europe’s current geopolitical instability amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 has awakened fears of a larger war. The region’s growing complacency following decades of stability was largely a product of strong alliances, economic power, and NATO’s protective presence. But this period of calm
Once Upon a Proxy War: Chinese Support to the People’s Army of Vietnam (Book Review)
The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) Editorial Team is proud to present the third installment in our series featuring leading thinkers in the irregular warfare community critically engaging with recent IW-related publications. Curated by IWI editors Barbara Elias and Lewis Fraser, this series goes beyond traditional book reviews. Contributors are
Putting Operation Spider’s Web in Context
On June 1, 2025, the Ukrainian special intelligence services launched Operation Spider’s Web, a remotely triggered drone attack that may have damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian strategic aircraft at four air bases deep inside the Russian Federation’s borders. Spider’s Web was undeniably successful: Russia’s capacity
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
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