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.
Hindsight and Foresight: A 20-Year Retrospective on IW and COIN
In what ways do irregular warfare and counterinsurgency overlap? Is China engaged in irregular warfare against its adversaries? What are some of the failures of the wars and conflicts of the last 20 years and why did they occur? What do IW practitioners need to do to avoid the mistakes
The Rise of Digital Repression: How Technology is Reshaping Power, Politics, and Resistance
Episode 84 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast is our fourth installment of the IWI Project on Cyber where we look at Steven Feldstein's book The Rise of Digital Repression: How Technology is Reshaping Power, Politics, and Resistance. Our guests delve into what digital repression is and how authoritarian
Treating or Feeding the Disease?: Elite Capture of the Security Sector
Is it possible to disentangle the problems contributing to elite capture of the security sector? What can and should the US government do when engaging with partners where the risk for elite capture is high? What does elite capture look like in Afghanistan versus Mexico? In Episode 83 of the
Securing the Cyber Domain: Exploring Cyber Policy in the Department of Defense
Episode 81 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast is our third installment of the IWI Project on Cyber where we look at how the Department of Defense handles Cyber policy and strategy. Our guests take a holistic look at the nation's different Cyber Policies and Strategy and how they
The Merits—And Pitfalls—Of Fighting “By, With, And Through” A Partner Force
This week’s episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines the US military’s “by, with and through” approach while working alongside Iraqi security forces in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). Our guests begin by examining the geopolitical trends that led to America’s reengagement in Iraq in the mid-2010s. They
Gray Zone – The Alliance is the Message
Episode 79 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the gray zone and how the US-Australia alliance enables irregular warfare campaigns in the Indo-Pacific theater of operations. Our guests begin by defining the gray zone and what is meant by the term influence. They then discuss examples of China’s gray
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
The Terrorist’s Dilemma: How Non-State Actors Manage Covert Organizations
Episode 76 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast discusses the Terrorist’s Dilemma. Our guests begin by examining the tradeoffs terrorist organizations must make between maintaining security and exercising command and control. They then discuss examples of effective counterterrorist (CT) campaigns, what characterizes them, and how best to learn from past
Deterrence through Asymmetry: Preparing for Conflict in the Taiwan Strait
Episode 75 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast considers the prospect of a cross-strait conflict between China and Taiwan and the asymmetric defensive capabilities that Taipei needs to stave off an invasion by the People’s Liberation Army. Our guests begin by examining America’s longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity toward
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.