The Fourth Age: The SOCOM Commander's Vision for the Future
Episode 124 explores the evolution and future of Special Operations Forces (SOF) through the lens of "The Fourth Age," a work of fictional intelligence examining future SOF capabilities and missions. Our guests discuss how SOF has evolved through distinct eras since World War II and examine how emerging
To Beat China’s Navy to the Punch, Defend Forward in Taiwan
The US cannot keep pace with China’s exponential growth in naval power. Ship for ship, the People’s Liberation Army Navy outnumbers the US Navy, and this disparity will only grow with time. This makes conventional naval power an unreliable means by which the US could deter or combat
Lessons from the Frontlines: Ukrainian SEAD Operations and Their Implications for Western Special Operations Forces
Set to the backdrop of rock music, a video originating from the 14th Ukrainian Special Operations Regiment cuts sharply between shots of Russian military vehicles. At the 25-second mark, precision strikes—likely from rocket artillery—light up the screen, followed by secondary explosions, burning wreckage, and wounded personnel. The
Dominating Conflict’s Leading Edge: Five Principles for an Assertive Irregular Warfare Doctrine
A new US president took office on January 20th, and will confront a dangerous national security environment shaped by Irregular Warfare (IW) challenges. From cyber warfare and gray zone conflicts to terrorism and insurgency, these challenges demand immediate, actionable solutions. As 2024 came to a close, the Irregular Warfare Initiative
Enhancing US Special Operations Forces Capacity to Foster Resistance: Aligning Authorities and Resources to Win the Gray Zone
Introduction US Special Operations Forces (USSOF) provide a unique advantage to the Joint Force with their responsiveness, adaptability, and specialized skills. USSOF capabilities—from cyber expertise to civil affairs—enable them to shape and stabilize regions and preempt threats before they escalate. USSOF is incredibly impactful in Irregular Warfare, where
Training for Victory: Lessons for Security Force Assistance
Episode 123 explores the critical role of security force assistance (SFA) and identifies the key factors that influence the effectiveness of building foreign armies. Our guests start by situating SFA within the broader context of Washington’s national security strategy. They then analyze the variables that impact the success of
How to Counter Russian Occupation: Building Multinational Resistance Networks Before a Crisis
The resurgence of Russian aggression has reignited the importance of preparing for occupation and resistance, particularly for nations on NATO’s eastern flank. History shows that Russian occupation consistently involves at least three key elements: forced deportations, population control, and the systematic dismantling of leadership to suppress resistance movements. Drawing
The Necessary Evolution of U.S. Grand Strategy: Learning from the Past to Address Modern Challenges in the Era of Strategic Competition
Introduction In an era of increasing global complexity and competition, the United States faces unprecedented challenges that require a fundamental reassessment of its grand strategy. As defined by Sir Basil Liddell Hart, the role of grand strategy is, “to coordinate and direct all the resources of a nation, or band
A New Playbook for Irregular Warfare: How the United States Can Win Without Fighting
During the final stretch of the 2024 American presidential election, the Department of Justice seized 32 web domains linked to ‘Doppelganger,’ an aggressive Russian disinformation campaign to influence American voters. Meanwhile, China has continued to exploit the US sanctions regime to promote its own currency, the renminbi, as a viable
Assembling the A-Team: Creating an Interagency Office to Counter Irregular Warfare
When a new American president takes office on January 20th, they will confront a dangerous national security environment shaped by Irregular Warfare (IW) challenges. From cyber warfare and gray zone conflicts to terrorism and insurgency, these challenges demand immediate, actionable solutions. In September, the Irregular Warfare Initiative invited our readers
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
