Insider: Short of War

Irregular Warfare Initiative
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT
Insider: Short of War

Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Insider: Short of War, where IWI transforms its thought provoking articles into compelling audio pieces. Our podcast bridges the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary on the dynamic world of irregular warfare. Stay informed and engaged with the latest insights from leading voices in the field, right at your fingertips.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    A New Playbook for Irregular Warfare: How the United States Can Win Without Fighting

    As global challenges multiply, ’Winning Without Fighting’ introduces a fresh approach to irregular warfare and strategic competition. Explore how the U.S. can outmaneuver adversaries using non-kinetic tools of power, influence, and legitimacy.

    14 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Assembling the A-Team: Creating an Interagency Office to Counter Irregular Warfare

    When a new American president takes office on January 20th, they will confront a dangerous national security environment shaped by Irregular Warfare (IW) challenges. From cyber warfare and gray zone conflicts to terrorism and insurgency, these challenges demand immediate, actionable solutions. In September, the Irregular Warfare Initiative invited our readers to contribute fresh, pragmatic, and non-partisan policy recommendations to help shape the next administration’s approach to these threats. In our second article, Erik Ackroyd argues for a new interagency office working on irregular warfare.

    12 min

  3. JAN 9

    Ethics, Integrity, and the Toll of Modern Irregular Warfare: A Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Dave Philipps

    This episode is part of Project Maritime, which explores modern challenges and opportunities in the maritime dimension at the intersection of irregular warfare and strategic competition. We warmly invite your participation and engagement as we embark on this project. Please send submissions with the subject line “Project Maritime Submission” and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @proj_maritime. Project Maritime had the pleasure of interviewing New York Times military reporter, and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Dave Philipps. Philipps’ writing has special resonance to those focused on irregular warfare in the littorals and those soldiers, sailors, marines, and operators, who have been serving in expeditionary operations in a variety of conflict zones. Mr. Philipps may be best known for his searing and gripping book, “Alpha: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs.” Philipps has focused his writing on small units, and the soldiers, marines, and special operators who have fought the Global War on Terror. Additionally, he has had a series of pieces over the past year focusing on the brain damage apparently caused by cumulative shock-waves to troops exposed to repeated blasts from weapons in combat or high intensity training. He has exposed injury clusters around Army and Marine artillerymen who fired up to 10,000 rounds in just several months in small units deployed against the Islamic State in Mosul. He has documented similar problems with mortars, M1 tanks,  Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, and most recently brain trauma among elite Navy Special Boat teams made up of U.S. Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen who deliver SEALs to the fight in high-powered craft that may expose their crews to 64Gs (64 times the force of gravity). Link to article: https://irregularwarfare.org/articles/ethics-integrity-and-the-toll-of-modern-irregular-warfare-a-conversation-with-pulitzer-prize-winning-journalist-dave-philipps/

    20 min

  4. JAN 4

    Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned, Paths Forward

    This episode draws on insights from over 75 articles published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative in 2024, synthesizing key lessons and identifying emerging trends in irregular warfare. The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s website, along with all the articles cited.

    23 min

  5. 11/20/2024

    Money Talks and Hunger Walks: Buying Down State-Actor Influence Risk

    by Tom Johansmeyer, a PhD candidate in international conflict analysis at the University of Kent. When natural disasters strike, foreign actors often exploit food insecurity to spread disinformation and influence vulnerable populations. In this episode, Tom Johansmeyer proposes an innovative solution: parametric insurance that provides rapid economic relief to affected communities. Learn how this financial tool could help counter foreign influence operations while delivering humanitarian aid to those who need it most. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government. The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website. If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.

    17 min

  6. 11/18/2024

    The Day After Nasrallah: Succession and Strategic Opportunities

    by Alexandra Veyne, the Chief Human Resources Officer of the Irregular Warfare Initiative.   In this analysis of Hezbollah's leadership crisis, Alexandra Veyne examines the strategic implications of Hassan Nasrallah's elimination and his successor Naim Qassem's appointment. She argues that Qassem's lack of charisma and weaker leadership profile could prove more devastating to Hezbollah than continued tactical strikes. Drawing on Shi'i political dynamics and organizational theory, Veyne suggests that Israel's strategic interests might be better served by allowing an ineffective leader to remain in power while supporting Lebanese opposition forces, rather than pursuing another high-profile assassination.   The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government. The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website. If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.

    17 min

  7. 11/07/2024

    Beyond Binaries: Cyber Force Generation and the SOCOM-like Model

    This article is part of Project Cyber, which explores and characterizes the myriad threats facing the United States and its allies in cyberspace, the information environment, and conventional and irregular spaces. Please contact us if you would like to propose an article, podcast, or event environment. We invite you to contribute to the discussion, explore the difficult questions, and help.   This essay examines the debate around adopting a Special Operations Command (SOCOM)-like model for U.S. Cyber Command's force generation and recruitment needs. The authors argue that while senior military leaders frequently advocate for applying the SOCOM model to cyber forces, this recommendation is based on unexamined assumptions and may not address Cyber Command's unique challenges in recruiting, training, and retaining qualified personnel. The paper also challenges the perceived binary choice between adopting a SOCOM-like model or creating an independent cyber service, suggesting that a hybrid approach combining elements of both might be more effective. Ultimately, the authors call for more detailed analysis and planning before committing to any particular force generation model, emphasizing that Cyber Command needs to clearly define its goals and requirements in light of growing threats from adversaries like China.   The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website. If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.   Until next time,   Keep Warfare Irregular

    21 min

  8. 11/04/2024

    “I Want to Live”: Psychological Warfare for the Modern Era

    Peter Schrijver is a Ph.D. researcher affiliated with the Netherlands Defence Academy. His academic interests focus on Ukraine’s operations in the information environment.   This essay analyzes Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project, a modern psychological operations (PSYOP) campaign that uses smartphones and social media to encourage Russian soldiers to surrender. The project, launched in September 2022, represents a significant evolution in military PSYOPs by leveraging digital technology to directly reach enemy forces with personalized messages, video testimonials from POWs, and practical surrender instructions. While the project has shown significant success - with over 48 million website visits and hundreds of Russian surrenders - the author also explores ethical concerns about the use of POW testimonials and discusses how this campaign reflects broader changes in modern warfare where battles increasingly take place in digital spaces.   The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website. If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.   Until next time,   Keep Warfare Irregular

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Insider: Short of War, where IWI transforms its thought provoking articles into compelling audio pieces. Our podcast bridges the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary on the dynamic world of irregular warfare. Stay informed and engaged with the latest insights from leading voices in the field, right at your fingertips.

Information

  • Creator
    Irregular Warfare Initiative
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Insider: Short of War

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