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.
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 of
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 key leaders
Spies, Lies and Algorithms: US Intelligence in a Changing World
Shawna Sinnott and Laura Jones Episode 58 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast focuses on the US intelligence community and its role in supporting the spectrum of national security missions, from the heavy counterterrorism focus of the post-9/11 era to today’s environment of strategic competition. Our guests begin by
Money Talks: How Nonstate Armed Groups Finance Their Operations and Intelligence
Laura Jones and Shawna Sinnott Episode 57 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast focuses on how terrorist organizations and other nonstate armed groups finance their activities, and how the United States and its allies can counter those streams of money. Our guests begin by framing the techniques, both legal and illicit,
Political Warfare and the Road to Invasion: Irregular Warfare in Ukraine Since 2014
Laura Jones and Kyle Atwell In Episode 56 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, we conclude our two-part series focused on irregular warfare in Ukraine. In the previous episode, our guests discussed Russia’s conception and employment of irregular warfare in Ukraine from its annexation of Crimea in 2014 to its
Anytime, Anyplace: Air Force Special Operations Command in Future Irregular Warfare
Irregular warfare is executed across all domains and when operations require air support, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) stands ready to provide specialized skill sets to IW practitioners. As irregular warfare faces an uncertain future, so does AFSOC and its air commandos. The command stands at an inflection point
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.