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
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
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
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
IW Lessons from Gaza: Lawfare, Humanitarian Crises, and Urban Combat
Episode 93 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines irregular warfare in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Our guests begin by delving into Hamas and its hybrid strategy in Gaza before addressing Israel’s traditional counterterrorism approach in the Middle East. They then discuss the risks associated with an invasion of
The Maritime Dimension to the Conflict in Israel
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 to submissions@irregularwarfare.org with
How the Islamic State Propaganda Machine is Exploiting the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Since the Hamas raid on Israel on Oct. 7, the Islamic State (IS) has been attempting to exploit the resulting conflict to inspire its followers to commit acts of terrorism. Working through its central command apparatus, branches, and affiliates, as well as its legions of online supporters, IS seeks to
Dealers and Brokers in Proxy Wars: Exploring All Means Available
Episode 92 examines conflict delegations and the roles of intermediary actors within proxy conflict. Our guests introduce the idea of intermediaries and pull from academic and practical experience to set the stage. Along with other historical examples, they examine the role Pakistan played as a key go-between from the
Independence Through Information War: Chechnya's Story and Ukraine Connection
Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, dubious videos have surfaced across social media platforms depicting intense combat operations of Chechen forces loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov uses online platforms to showcase Chechen soldiers fighting against Ukrainian forces, a move seen as a
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
