Europe

Analyzing how irregular warfare defines Europe's security environment, from national resilience and societal defense to lessons from the front lines of hybrid conflict.

Iran, Ukraine, and the Realities of “Resistance” & “Regime Change”

This article, published in Small Wars Journal in mid-2025, examines the limits of externally driven regime-change strategies through a comparative analysis of Iran and Ukraine. Drawing on Ukraine’s experience of bottom-up resistance, the authors argue that durable political transformation depends on long-term civic mobilisation rather

The Northern Ireland Peace Process: From Armed Conflict to Brexit, by Eamonn O’Kane

Editor's Note: This article is a book review of The Northern Ireland Peace Process: From Armed Conflict to Brexit by Eamonn O’Kane, examining the author’s analysis of how peace in Northern Ireland has evolved long after the Good Friday Agreement. When did the conflict in Northern

Understanding Hybrid Threats: Insights from the Belgian Cyber Force Commander

This IWI Project Europe Fireside Chat examines Belgium’s perspectives on hybrid warfare, with a particular focus on cyber-attacks and information warfare. To do so, we welcomed one of Belgium’s key figures in the cyber domain: Major-General Pierre Ciparisse. Appointed in September, General Ciparisse serves as Commander

Pirates or Proxies? The Uskoks of Senj and Their Lessons for Irregular Warfare

The Uskoks were Christian refugees who transformed into maritime raiders operating on behalf of the Habsburg Empire, though often only loosely controlled by it. While they certainly were pirates in the classic sense, they were also strategic actors in an early modern proxy conflict between the Habsburgs and the Ottoman

Sabotage as a “New Normal”

“Efforts will be made in such countries to disrupt national self-confidence, to hamstring measures of national defense, to increase social and industrial unrest, to stimulate all forms of disunity.” -George Kennan, The Long Telegram Since 2022, there has been a spate of high-profile sabotage attacks across Europe: a

Proxies in Hybrid Operations: Insights from the Partnership for Peace Consortium Workshop | Helsinki, Finland, August 2025

From August 5-7, 2025, the Partnership for Peace Consortium’s (PfP-C) Irregular Warfare and Hybrid Threats Working Group met at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (HCOE) in Helsinki, Finland to examine the theme of “Proxies in Hybrid Operations.” The workshop gathered academics, practitioners, and

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

Fireside Chat: The Future of Total Defense

Rethinking Resilience & Resistance in Europe As the Russian threat persists, and European democracies navigate mounting internal and external pressures, this fireside chat asks a foundational question: Who should own the burden of national defense—governments, or society itself? Overview The Irregular Warfare Initiative brings together a panel of senior

Past, Present, and Beyond: Belgian Perspectives on Irregular Warfare

This IWI Project Europe Fireside Chat takes a closer look at Belgium’s experiences and perspectives on Irregular Warfare. We do so by inviting two key figures within the Belgian Special Operations Forces community: the Director of the Belgian Special Forces Command (Colonel Wim Denolf) and the Commander of the

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:

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Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.

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IWI in Europe Program examines how irregular warfare defines the continent’s security environment and connects practitioners and academics to shape practical responses. Our mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering a shared understanding of the unconventional threats facing Europe today.

Through our Resistance Hub, we study the foundations of national resilience and societal defense, drawing on the diverse experiences of European states that have adapted to deter and resist hybrid threats. Our Ukraine Hub provides insight into the ongoing conflict, generating lessons on irregular and hybrid warfare at the frontlines of Europe’s defense. Together, these hubs create communities of interest that advance both scholarship and applied strategies.

IWI in Europe Program hosts fireside chats, workshops, and publications that bring policymakers, scholars, and military professionals into conversation. These forums provide candid, forward-looking dialogue on the irregular dimensions of deterrence, competition, and war in Europe.

By convening across borders and disciplines, IWI Europe delivers value as a connector: turning academic research into practical insight, and practitioner experience into shared lessons that strengthen Europe’s collective resilience.

Meet the Team

Dr. Olga R. Chiriac Dr. Olga R. Chiriac Director, Europe
Armenak Ohanesian Armenak Ohanesian Ukraine Hub Lead, Europe
Dr. John A. Pennell Dr. John A. Pennell NATO & European Partnerships
Dr. Martijn Kitzen Dr. Martijn Kitzen Special Advisor, Europe
Dr. Nicholas Krohley Dr. Nicholas Krohley Resistance Hub Lead
Michael Fazio Michael Fazio Special Advisor

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