Articles
Our articles cut through the noise on irregular warfare to connect strategic theory to operational reality and translate complexity into insight for practitioners and policymakers. No time to read? Check out our podcast, "Insider: Short of War," which transforms our articles into concise, engaging audio pieces you can listen to anywhere. Available directly in most of our articles and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
Space and Ice: Envisioning Special Operations Forces’ Role in Future Operational Environments
New frontiers of strategic competition beckon for immediate special operations forces (SOF) transformation to prevail in the space domain and the polar regions. Aligned with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Colby Jenkins’ call to think differently and work together, this article proposes two enhanced
Russia’s Rogue Warriors: A Paramilitary Legacy
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 06.24.2025 and is available here. A rather puzzling and dramatic event gripped the world's attention
Book Review - Into the Void: Special Operations Forces after the War on Terror
This book review was originally published by the US Army War College Press in the Summer 2025 issue of The US Army War College Quarterly, Parameters at https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters/vol55/iss2/1/ and in the online book review forum Parameters Bookshelf at https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters_
Development or Dependence? Rethinking China’s Economic Playbook in the Americas
Editor’s Note: This article was written in anticipation of the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s South America in Competition Conference, which will feature keynote speakers and expert panels examining the region’s role in strategic competition, including a focus on China's economic influence in Latin America. One of
Project Europe Summer Reading—2025
Summer is upon us—but are you still searching for a compelling poolside or beach-side read? If you’re interested in irregular warfare or European security, the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Project Europe has got you covered! Presenting the 2025 Summer Reading List, curated by the Project Europe Team:
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
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
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