Alisa Laufer
Iran, Ukraine, and the Future of Naval Warfare
Episode 156 examines what the U.S.-Iran War and Russia-Ukraine War reveal about how weaker states and irregular actors contest navies, maritime commerce, and global energy flows. Summary This conversation examines naval irregular warfare in an era of drones, shadow fleets, contested chokepoints, and attacks on commercial shipping. The
What the Hell Is Irregular Warfare Anyway?
Episode 152 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast grapples with the many definitions of irregular warfare used across the community of interest. In this episode, our guests discuss why the concept of irregular warfare has resisted a stable definition across decades of changing doctrine, and what that persistent confusion has cost
The Strategic Logic of Large Militant Alliance Networks
✉️ Email header below is auto-generated from this post’s author tag. It only appears in the newsletter — please don’t edit or delete it. Episode 148 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores why militant groups form alliances, and what the content of those alliances can tell us about their organizational
What Determines Success in Guerrilla Warfare?
Episode 143 examines what enables guerrilla and insurgent forces to develop military effectiveness on the battlefield. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pWsQqnILdT1Om2CXyaAFc Our guests discuss why ideological cohesion, social ties, and material resources are insufficient for insurgents to successfully implement guerrilla strategies. Drawing on historical examples and a detailed analysis
The Inheritance: America's Military After Two Decades of War
Episode 127 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the lasting impact of the Global War on Terrorism and what the United States has inherited—militarily, politically, and socially—after twenty years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our guests begin by examining how the U.S. military has historically navigated
Ukraine's Hidden Front: The Strategic Impact of Resistance Operations
Episode 125 examines the impact of Ukraine's irregular warfare and resistance operations on its broader strategic objectives. Our guests discuss how Ukrainian resistance activities have evolved throughout the conflict and evaluate their strategic importance in the war against Russia. Our guests begin by describing how Ukrainian resistance and
Drones, Automation, and how ARSOF is Adapting
Episode 106 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines how drones, robotics, and automation are changing the battlefield in Ukraine and how ARSOF has adapted. Our guests begin by outlining the significance of robotics and autonomous systems on the Ukrainian battlefield. From there, they delve into how US Special Operations formations
Cold War Lessons for a New Era: Connecting IW and Great Power Competition
Episode 103 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines the role that irregular conflicts played during the Cold War to inform today’s era of strategic competition. Our guests begin by explaining how irregular conflicts and capabilities play a role in strategic competition, despite policy structures in Washington that often silo
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants
Episode 101 examines the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants. Our guests begin by introducing the concept of DDR and discussing how the DDR process plays a role in preventing the recurrence of conflict. They then discuss some common challenges of implementing and monitoring DDR efforts, providing some real-world
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
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.