Kyle Atwell
The Future of War Part III: Strategic Sabotage in an Era of Great-Power
Episode 144 of theIrregular Warfare Podcast continues our four-part Future of War series with a focused examination of strategic sabotage, indirect action, and deterrence below the threshold of armed conflict. This episode centers on “Special Delivery,” a near-future short story by author and futurist August Cole, set in
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
Is Resistance Working in Ukraine?
Episode 141 examines what the role of resistance operations are in the context of the broader war in Ukraine. Our guests begin by discussing whether resistance in occupied Ukraine is working. They argue that “Random Acts of Resistance” are not effective. Instead, resistance activities are most impactful when well synchronized
South America in Competition Conference: Bonus Episode 2
Episode 140 is a bonus episode built out of conversations held with panelists from the 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative and Special Operations Association of America South America in Competition Conference. The South America in Competition Conference brought together over 250 researchers, practitioners, and members of industry for two days at
Five Years of IWI: From Podcast to Platform
Episode 128 marks a special milestone as the Irregular Warfare Podcast celebrates its five-year anniversary. Our guests reflect on the journey from a simple podcast idea in a graduate school classroom to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 70 volunteers worldwide. They share the origin story of
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
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
What is Irregular Warfare? (Partnered with the Joint Special Operations University)
This panel was a joint collaboration between the Joint Special Operations University and the Irregular Warfare Initiative. Moderator: MAJ Kyle Atwell Panel: Dr. Jake Shapiro, Dr. Seth Jones, LTC Katie Crombe, and LTG Ken Tovo
The Cyber-SOF-Space Triad and the Future of Army Special Operations
Episode 78 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the evolution of Army special operations forces (ARSOF) and the ways that ARSOF can contribute to future irregular warfare campaigns around the world. Our guests begin by addressing current geopolitical trends and future threats to the United States and its allies. They
The Digital Bear in Ukraine: Russian Cyber Operations Since 2014
Episode 77 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, which is also the second installment of the IWI Project on Cyber, explores cyber operations in the war in Ukraine. Our guests examine the use of cyber warfare and digital information operations in Ukraine since 2014. They begin by highlighting the differences between
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
