How Hamas Built an Army
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and its allies entered Israeli territory to commit atrocities against civilian communities near the Israel-Gaza border. With about 1,200 dead, including children and the elderly slaughtered in their beds or burned to death, and at least 239 abducted to Gaza
Theories of Victory: Israel, Hamas, and the Meaning of Success in Irregular Warfare
Two months in, what does the war between Israel and Hamas tell us about victory and defeat in irregular warfare? There is no difficulty in identifying those who have lost the most through this conflict: the civilian victims, caught up in a hellish devastation not of their making. In contrast,
Irregular Warfare in the Post-Soviet Space: The Republic of Moldova
Eastern Europe has historically served as an epicenter for influence operations, with a number of actors – particularly Russia – using influence tactics to shape political narratives and public opinion in the region. Hosted by Irregular Warfare Initiative's Project Europe, this virtual panel brought together the foremost experts on Eastern
Active Defense: China’s Military Strategy Since 1949
This week’s episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines the historical arc of Chinese Military Strategy from 1949 until today. Our guests begin by explaining how the Chinese military’s revolutionary roots have influenced its strategy over the last century. They then address how technological innovations, changes in the
Maritime Maneuvers: Navigating Irregular Warfare in Yemen’s Civil War
Before the 2018 National Defense Strategy recognized Irregular Warfare (IW) as a key competency for the Joint Force, a unique cell of Navy Surface Warfare and intelligence officers, an Army Civil Affairs Team (CAT), and Royal Navy (UK) personnel initiated a maritime irregular warfare campaign in the early stages of
The Defense of Europe: The Trans-Atlantic Relationship After Two Years of War
Episode 94 examines the current state of European defense policy and the state of the trans-Altantic relationship after two years of war in Ukraine. This episode has been created in collaboration with Foreign Policy and the Foreign Policy Live podcast. Our guests begin by framing the current state of European
Not Just ‘Mowing the Grass:’ Unconventional Warfare in Somalia
By Colin Robinson In June 2022, US Army captain Sean O’Brien wrote that “mowing the grass” — continual degradation of Al-Shabaab leaders, effectively via airstrikes and small swift raids (in military doctrinal terms, direct action, or DA) — was the most useful option to avoid threats to US interests in Somalia.
Empowering Chinese Diaspora Messaging
In January 2023, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published a report of multiple wargames focused on a People’s Republic of China (PRC) invasion of Taiwan. In the more pessimistic scenarios, the US and Japan lost 645 combat aircraft, 28 vessels, and tens of thousands of service
IWI Responds: The Israel-Hamas War
When Hamas launched its attack across the Gaza border on Oct. 7, the Irregular Warfare Initiative sprang into action, publishing industry-leading articles and podcasts analyzing the conflict and its ramifications. On the two-month anniversary of the beginning of the latest hostilities, we take stock of our work so far. Commentary
Under the Radar: Weaponizing Maritime Transponders in Strategic Competition
Throughout the summer and fall of 2023, People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels have repeatedly blockaded Filipino shoals and naval outposts in the South China Sea, restricting freedom of movement and preventing resupply efforts. The CCG continues to employ water cannons, lasers, and floating
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