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.
Ukraine's Railway Wars: How to Sabotage Russian Military Logistics
Editor’s Note: This article is a part of Project SOF in Competition. The project explores the intersection among irregular warfare, SOF, and broader national security challenges. We invite your participation and engagement as we embark on this project. If you would like to contribute to the Special Project, please
Bridging the Gap: Why Conventional Forces Need Irregular Warfare Training
The Army is undergoing a major transition as it refocuses toward its pacing threat and modernizes for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) against a near-peer adversary. In preparing for this future possibility, it should not forget the lessons of the past 20 years nor fall into the post-Vietnam
Partners in Peril: Hybrid Threats Come for Jordan
This article is part of Project Proxies and Partners, which explores the promises and pitfalls of security cooperation in war, at peace, and in between. We invite you to contribute to the discussion, explore the difficult questions, and help influence the future of proxies and partners. Please contact us if
Applications For The 2025 IWI Non-Resident Fellowship Are Now Open!
We are looking for the next group of scholars and practitioners who are committed to IWI's foundational mission. If you are committed to bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars and practitioners, we encourage you to apply. Fellows' obligations include bimonthly virtual participation in engagements with senior
Decapitating The Hydra: Iran’s Response Options To Israel’s Offensive
Israel’s recent decisive operations targeting Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), and the Houthis signal a bold attempt to dismantle Iran’s proxy networks. These strikes raise critical questions about Tehran’s response options in the context of irregular warfare. For Iran, these groups form the backbone of its regional influence,
Call for Submissions: Policy Recommendations for the New Administration
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. The Irregular Warfare Initiative invites you to contribute fresh,
Boxing with Shadows: Drawbacks in US Counterstrategies Against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Russian Wagner Group
This article is part of Project Proxies and Partners, which explores the promises and pitfalls of security cooperation in war, at peace, and in between. We invite you to contribute to the discussion, explore the difficult questions, and help influence the future of proxies and partners. Please contact us if
Shining a Light: Highlighting Successes in US Counterstrategies Against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Russian Wagner Group
This article is part of Project Proxies and Partners, which explores the promises and pitfalls of security cooperation in war, at peace, and in between. We invite you to contribute to the discussion, explore the difficult questions, and help influence the future of proxies and partners. Please contact us if
Autonomous Ghosts are Reshaping Irregular Warfare and Maritime Security
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 Maritime Submission” and
Uprooting the Enemy: A New Paradigm for Irregular Warfare Analysis
Editor’s Note: This article and accompanying report are a part of Project SOF in Competition. The report, Integrated Understanding: Re-Thinking the Human Environment of Military Operations, is the first of the Irregular Warfare Initiative's occasional paper series. If you would like to contribute to this Special
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
