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.
Strategy Through Action: Harriet Tubman as an Underappreciated Forebearer to Special Operations
“I grew up like a neglected weed, - ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it. Then I was not happy or contented.” Harriet Tubman, 1855 Just over 160 years ago, Harriet Tubman was building intelligence relationships in a foreign territory, developing networks to provide information, and securing access to important
Harnessing AI to Understand China's Grand Strategy
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long concealed its strategic vision behind a great information wall. Western views of Chinese strategy often blend Sun Tzu’s antiquated platitudes with designs for revenge following the Century of Humiliation. Although these ideas are relevant to the philosophy informing the ideology
Intro Letter from the New Editorial Director
In its most recent newsletter, IWI announced that I was rejoining the organization as its Editorial Director. I am replacing Tobias Switzer, who led IWI’s publications through its four-year anniversary and continued IWI’s remarkable growth since 2020. Kate Espinosa has served admirably as Acting Director and graciously
The UK’s New Take on Cyber
From its 2010 inception to its most recent 2022 publication, the primary focus of the United Kingdom's National Cyber Strategies (NCS) evolved from a security-focused approach to a broader, more ambitious vision of ‘cyber power.’ The United Kingdom views cyber power as the projection of cyber security.
The Fall of Assad’s Regime Shakes Iran’s Proxy Network Across the Middle East
Not long ago, Iran wielded significant influence across the Middle East, extending its reach from Baghdad to Beirut and Damascus to Sanaa. Through a network of proxies, it encircled its regional adversaries, Israel and Saudi Arabia, creating what many referred to as a “ring of fire.” However, over the past
Letter from the Board of Directors
Editor’s Note: the IWI Board of Directors approved its first annual “IWI Strategic Plan: 2025-2035” on 01 September 2024. The plan articulates IWI’s organizational purpose, strategic goals and implementation through three phases, a market analysis, an overview of its services and operations, and its organizational and leadership
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
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.