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.
Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives
This week’s episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines how states weaponize strategic narratives to control the information space and achieve their interests. Our guests begin by addressing how recent changes in the information environment have enabled revisionist states to wage information warfare. They then talk about how states
The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Hostage Diplomacy 101
This week’s episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines how states use hostages and hostage diplomacy to achieve their interests. Our guests begin by addressing why states and non-state actors engage in hostage taking, as opposed to relying on other, more traditional instruments of power. They then talk
Gray Zone – Chinese Political Warfare
Episode 88 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the Gray Zone through the lens of Chinese Political Warfare. Our guests begin by defining Chinese Political Warfare and how it differs from the Western approach to warfare. They then discuss examples of China’s information operations in the context of global
Who's Watching the Watchmen? Congressional Oversight of Irregular Warfare
Episode 86 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines U.S. Congressional oversight of irregular warfare activities. Our guests begin by highlighting the difficulties associated with conducting congressional oversight of irregular warfare. They then unpack the complexities of the AUMF, the separation of Title 10 and Title 50 concerns, and the
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.
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’
Bridging the gap between irregular warfare scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.