War on the Rocks

Ryan Evans
  • 5.0 (9)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Discussions over drinks with security, defense, and foreign policy insiders and experts. The original War on the Rocks podcast series.

  1. 15 HRS AGO

    Why Do Many Western Defense Tech Firms Struggle in Ukraine?

    Michael Kofman joined Ryan at a live event earlier this year to discuss the performance of American defense technology in Ukraine and why it often falls short. They examine the challenges of fielding and iterating systems in combat, from poor implementation and weak feedback loops to deeper mismatches between design and battlefield reality. They also explore what it takes to succeed in this environment and what it means for future conflicts.   Thanks to Leonid Capital Partners for hosting the event at which this podcast was recorded.

    25 min

  2. 9 APR

    Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia

    Michael Kofman joins Ryan to unpack the current state of the Russo-Ukrainian War after his recent trip to the front. They examine how drone warfare has transformed the battlefield into a dispersed contest over a vast kill zone, why Russian infiltration tactics have failed to produce meaningful gains, and how Ukraine is working to close gaps in its strike capabilities. They also explore the growing pressure from Russian long-range strikes and how the war in Iran is beginning to shape the conflict.

    28 min

  3. 6 APR

    Reopening the Strait of Hormuz & Saving Downed Pilots

    Two retired U.S. admirals with deep experience at sea and in the air joined Ryan to discuss the military challenge of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Adm. (ret.) Jamie Foggo and Vice Adm. (ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller unpack how Iran has been able to throttle one of the world's most important waterways and what it would actually take to restore freedom of navigation. The conversation explores mines, drones, missiles, escorts, air strikes, how a Marine expeditionary unit might raid Kharg Island, and (of course) the strategy.    Hours before this was recorded, news had broken that a U.S. Air Force F15E had been shot down over Iran. The pilot had been rescued at the time of recording, but the weapons system officer was still on the run (thankfully, he has since been rescued). Foggo and Miller have deep experience in this area and were able to share some insights on how these rescue operations unfold. And they close with a few words on what lessons the Navy should be learning from this war in terms of fleet design.

    1 hr

  4. 20 MAR

    What It Was Like to Be Under Incoming Fire from the War on Terror to Today

    On this special, crossover episode of our members-only armed services podcasts, some of our hosts sat down to discuss their experiences with indirect fire and bombardment. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, they rehash some of their own personal stories, provide context on today's threat environment, and share some advice for troops both downrange and at home.

    44 min

  5. 27 FEB

    The Arsenal Beneath the Arsenal

    What does it take to rebuild the foundation of American military power? Michael Cadenazzi, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, joined Ryan at a live event a few weeks back for a fascinating discussion on the state of the defense industrial base (from new VC-backed entrants to the primes), the race for critical minerals, supply chain vulnerabilities, the unsexy realities of implementation, the role of allies, and the challenges of scaling production.   He is also looking for your ideas.    Special thanks to Altana for hosting the event at which this episode was recorded.

    27 min

  6. 19 FEB

    Power, Paranoia, and the People's Liberation Army

    China's top military leadership has been shaken by a new round of purges at the highest level, raising urgent questions about loyalty, corruption, and combat readiness. What do these removals, and especially the purge of Zhang Youxia, signal about Xi Jinping's grip on power, the health of the People's Liberation Army, and Beijing's appetite for risk abroad? We are joined by four seasoned analysts of China and its military, three of whom worked at the Central Intelligence Agency, to parse these questions and more.   This episode is brought to you by Onebrief. Find out more at https://warontherocks.com/onebrief

    59 min

  7. 6 FEB

    The Marines That Led the Evacuation of Afghanistan, Four Years Later

    On this special, free episode of Marine Pulse, Ian Brown sat down with two Marines who recount their mission at Hamid Karzai International Airport on the day of the suicide bombing attack at the Abbey gate during the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan. Aaron Reep and Lee Bowden share their personal accounts of the mission, what stood out to them about their fellow Marines during the mission, and the timeless lessons Marines can take from it. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to all of our armed service podcast shows by becoming a member.

    57 min

  8. 5 FEB

    How We Arrived at this Iranian Moment and What Happens Next

    The Iranian regime has crushed the latest wave of protests through brute force, but the regime's survival comes at a cost. It now confronts a volatile mix of domestic opposition, weakened regional proxies, and years of economic decay. Ryan is joined by co-host Kerry Anderson in a conversation with Alex Vatanka (Middle East Institute), Holly Dagres (Washington Institute for Near East Policy), and Naysan Rafati (International Crisis Group) about the pressures bearing down on Tehran and what might come next.   This episode is brought to you by Victus Technologies. To learn more about Victus, check out: https://warontherocks.com/victus

    55 min
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Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Discussions over drinks with security, defense, and foreign policy insiders and experts. The original War on the Rocks podcast series.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Evans
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    332
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © War on the Rocks Media
  • Show Website
    War on the Rocks

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