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.

The Balkans Model and Conditions for Peace in Ukraine

Editor’s note: This article is part of Project Europe which focuses on European and European-adjacent security issues to deter and defend against irregular threats, develop IW knowledge, and advance the American understanding of allied, partner and competitor practices of IW. We invite you to contribute to the discussion,

Why IWI Project Europe?

To deter and defend against irregular threats. Editor's note: This article is part of Project Europe which focuses on European and European-adjacent security issues to deter and defend against irregular threats, develop IW knowledge, and advance the American understanding of allied, partner, and competitor practices of IW.

Twelve Essential Irregular Warfare Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List

Spring buds may have only just started to sprout, but with Memorial Day behind us, it’s officially summer. As you prepare for some well-deserved R&R, the Irregular Warfare Initiative has you covered with some stellar summer reading recommendations. And what pairs better with relaxation than diving

D-Day's Bodyguard of Lies: Intelligence and Deception in Normandy

https://irregularwarfareinsider.podbean.com/e/d-day-s-bodyguard-of-lies-intelligence-and-deception-in-normandy The heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, eighty years ago today, faced a rainstorm of gunfire as they disembarked from their landing crafts. Over 4,000 lost their lives

IWI Fireside Chat with LTG (Ret.) Ken Tovo

On March 5, 2024, the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) Project Europe hosted a virtual Fireside Chat with LTG (Ret.) Ken Tovo. The event focused on European security issues, aiming to deter, defend, and enhance resilience against irregular and hybrid threats. The conversation began with an exploration of the historical evolution

IWI Fireside Chat with GEN David Petraeus

Join us for an insightful discussion on the transformation of warfare over the decades, led by GEN David Petraeus, as he delves into his latest book, "Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine".

Two Years On: Russia's Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine and the Continuing Lessons for the Future of Irregular Warfare

Introduction – Russia's Invasion of Ukraine in Context Russia’s escalating war against Ukraine, especially the past two years since the full-scale invasion in 2022, has highlighted several critical lessons regarding irregular warfare and its broader implications for global security and stability. While irregular warfare is widely understood

Irregular Warfare in the Post-Soviet Space: The Republic of Moldova

Eastern Europe has historically served as an epicenter for influence operations, with a number of actors – particularly Russia – using influence tactics to shape political narratives and public opinion in the region. Hosted by Irregular Warfare Initiative's Project Europe, this virtual panel brought together the foremost experts on Eastern

Snakes, Stamps, and Javelins: How Ukrainian Information and Influence Operations Brought the Fight to Russia

Daniel Grobarcik On the cusp of a springtime counteroffensive, Ukraine has defied expectations in its defense against Russia’s invasion. From predictions of an imminent Ukrainian collapse on the eve of invasion to a Ukrainian army that is now set to receive Abrams tanks, foreign aid has bolstered Ukrainian forces

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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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The following organizations support IWI's mission to advance the study of irregular warfare.

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