Corporate Transparency Act in Limbo: The National Security Risks of Anonymous Shell Companies
The cat-and-mouse game between regulators demanding greater corporate transparency and companies resisting new regulations is nothing new. Indeed, US corporate anonymity laws have long been exploited by criminals, terrorists, and kleptocrats to obfuscate their illicit financial activities and evade detection via shell companies. However, the modern era of
Theory vs. Practice: What is Irregular War?
Episode 122 examines a unique theory on Irregular War that challenges both historical and contemporary frameworks on the topic. The guests conduct an in-depth discussion and debate over the complexities of Irregular War and its implications for the U.S. in future conflicts throughout the globe. Our guests define
Ethics, Integrity, and the Toll of Modern Irregular Warfare: A Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Dave Philipps
Editor’s note: This article is part of Project Maritime, which explores modern challenges and opportunities in the maritime dimension at the intersection of irregular warfare and strategic competition. We warmly invite your participation and engagement as we embark on this project. Please send submissions with the subject line “Project
Leverage Afghan Special Forces to Strengthen US Defense
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 readers to
Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned, Paths Forward
2024 in Review: A Glimpse Ahead The global security environment in 2024 proved as unpredictable as ever—yet, beneath the headlines, several clear themes and patterns emerged. A review of our articles published throughout the year reveals deeper insights into how irregular warfare is evolving across multiple fronts, from the
Below the Threshold: China's Strategy of Armed Coercion
Episode 121 explores China's use of armed coercion and its implications for irregular warfare with James Siebens and Jimmy Wang. Our guests begin by examining how China employs both military and paramilitary forces to advance its territorial claims in disputed areas. They then discuss how psychological warfare, lawfare,
How to Challenge China's Military Deception Tactics
The United States’ pivot from counterinsurgency to peer conflict over the past decade has exposed a critical vulnerability: a diminished focus on detecting deception by operational and tactical level practitioners. Throughout history, US military strategy has adapted to specific threats. During the Cold War, the AH-64 Apache helicopter was
Culture, Access, Influence: The FAO Advantage in Irregular Warfare
Episode 120 explores the critical role of Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) in irregular warfare and strategic competition with Mike Burgoyne and Jim Marckwardt. Our guests examine the foundational aspects of the FAO program and its evolution, highlighting how FAOs serve as "Pentagon diplomats" maintaining critical defense relationships worldwide.
The Emergence of Two Distinct Jihadist Ways of War
On November 27, the jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria initiated an offensive against the regime of embattled dictator Bashar al-Assad. In a matter of 11 days, HTS forces advanced more than 50 miles east and 200 miles south from its bases in the northwest Idlib
The Age of Decentralized Information Warfare is Here
Since February 2022, Russia has focused its war effort across numerous fronts, one of which is informational warfare. Throughout the past two years, Russia has found success in spreading disinformation to undermine support for Ukraine in the West. The information battlefield is equally as important as the physical battlefield, as
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
