Podcasts
The "Irregular Warfare Podcast" is the flagship program of the Irregular Warfare Initiative—and where it all started. Each episode brings together leading practitioners and scholars to unpack the complexities of modern competition, from proxy conflicts and statecraft to technology, economics, influence, and resilience. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
Aviation Advising: Access and Influence Through Air Power
Laura Jones and Jeff Phaneuf Episode 68 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores aviation advising and how airpower can be a critical aspect of building partner capacity. Our guests begin by highlighting past success of air advising and explaining aviation’s role in establishing access and influence with partner nations.
Transmitting Values: Can US Security Force Assistance Export Democratic Norms?
Benjamin Jebb and Kyle Atwell Episode 67 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the complicated relationship between US foreign policy and democratic values, and the risks and opportunities associated with exporting liberal norms through security force assistance. Our guests begin by describing the role that promoting liberal values, such as
Slow Burn: How US Security Cooperation Shapes Operational Environments
Benjamin Jebb and Barbara Elias Episode 66 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores how America’s security cooperation programs can help shape regional security environments by training foreign militaries. Our guests begin by addressing why America settled on a global strategy of exporting its security to allied and partner militaries.
From Street Fights To World Wars: What Gang Violence Can Teach Us About Conflict
Laura Jones and Benjamin Jebb Episode 65 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores why violence occurs from the local to the geopolitical level and how conflict can revert back to peace. Our guests today begin by asserting that peace—and not war—is the natural order of things for the
The Great Equalizer: Irregular Warfare In The City
Kyle Atwell and Benjamin Jebb Episode 64 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the interplay between urban spaces and irregular warfare. Our guests begin by examining how demographic and economic shifts are increasing the importance of urban centers around the globe. They then explore the realities of urban combat and
After Mali: Learning From The French Experience Of Irregular Warfare In The Sahel
Laura Jones and Kyle Atwell Episode 63 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the French experience with irregular warfare in the Sahel since 2013. Our guests begin by explaining why the French were involved in combat operations in the Sahel region of Africa and how their forces were organized against
Time, Space, And Material: Metrics For Assessing Irregular Warfare
Benjamin Jebb and Laura Jones Episode 62 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the diverse concepts that undergird irregular warfare (IW) as a whole. These theoretical structures offer innovative ways to conceptualize and envision the wide array of unconventional activities that comprise IW. Our guests begin by addressing the various
Another Forgotten War: America's Experience In Afghanistan
Jeff Phaneuf and Kyle Atwell Episode 61 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast contemplates lessons learned from America’s twenty years of war in Afghanistan. Our guests begin by discussing whether, in the year following the US withdrawal, the United States and its allies have sufficiently reflected on lessons learned from
Insurgents Rarely Win: Adaptation In The Face Of Failure
Kyle Atwell and Jeff Phaneuf Episode 60 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores both the recent history and the future character of insurgency. Our guests begin by arguing that insurgency will play an important role in great power competition, although states’ objectives will change from the transformational nation-building goals
The Bin Laden Papers: The Inner Workings of Al Qaeda's Leadership
Laura Jones and Jeff Phaneuf Episode 59 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast dives into the internal workings and communications of al-Qaeda and uses that insight to draw lessons for counterterrorism strategies. From the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden to the recent strike against Ayman al-Zawahiri, targeting
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.