Insider: Short of War

In this episode, we explore how historical lessons from the Balkan wars can inform Ukraine’s struggle for peace amid Russia’s hybrid warfare. We break down why irregular warfare—not just legal agreements—must guide any future resolution, and what steps Ukraine and its allies can take to build lasting resilience and sovereignty.

This podcast explores why U.S. military advising missions succeed or fail, drawing on Frank Sobchak’s in-depth case studies from El Salvador to Afghanistan. We examine key variables such as advisor relationships, mission design, and institutional reform. Whether you're a policy expert or a military professional, this episode breaks down critical lessons for future advising efforts.

This episode explores “security hybridization,” a growing global trend where states engage both the U.S. and China for different types of security support. We examine how this dual cooperation shapes policy, highlights contrasting approaches to internal versus external threats, and raises implications for practitioners working in irregular warfare and security force assistance.

In this narrated article, we explore the major themes of Winning Without Fighting, a book that challenges traditional U.S. national security thinking. The authors argue for a new strategic approach rooted in long-term competition and national resilience in the face of global shocks like pandemics and climate disasters. From critiques of strategic culture to actionable recommendations on informatio...

In this episode, we explore how disjointed Army Security Cooperation efforts—across SFABs, ARSOF, and SPP—are missing the mark. From command silos to overlapping missions, we unpack why better coordination is critical to building lasting partnerships and deterring adversaries. Learn about three powerful structural fixes that could unleash the full potential of the Army’s global engagements.

This episode explores Finland's struggle against escalating hybrid threats, including Russian GPS jamming, disinformation, and democratic vulnerabilities. Tune in for insights on national resilience, freedom of expression, and what other NATO countries can learn from Finland’s evolving security landscape.

In this episode, we examine overlooked amphibious and riverine operations in irregular warfare, from French Indochina to modern Syria. Discover how waterborne missions have shaped—and continue to shape—conflict across centuries and why Western militaries must rethink their force design assumptions.

In this episode, we dive into the Norwegian resistance during WWII—its clandestine operations, intelligence networks, and the heroic efforts that helped shape the war’s outcome. Join us as we explore the impact of SOE, SIS, and key figures like Colin Gubbins in countering German occupation.

In this episode, we explore how Harriet Tubman’s intelligence work and her leadership in the Combahee River Raid reflect the core principles of U.S. special operations. From building networks to achieving political goals through force, Tubman’s legacy offers valuable lessons for today’s military strategies.

Explore how the PRC Grand Strategy AI model ("PRC-StrateGPT") uses artificial intelligence to decode Chinese strategy, with a case study of the Solomon Islands' geopolitical shift.

In this episode, we delve into the UK's evolving cyber power strategy, examining its cybersecurity policies, role in Great Power Competition, and approach to responsible cyber influence. From resilience to offensive cyber operations, we break down the nation's vision for digital sovereignty and global leadership in cyberspace.

In this episode, we examine how the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria is disrupting Iran’s irregular warfare strategy, weakening Hezbollah, and reshaping power dynamics across the Middle East.

The US is falling behind China in naval power, making conventional deterrence strategies for Taiwan ineffective. In this episode, we explore an alternative military approach—one that sidesteps China's naval dominance and strengthens deterrence through irregular warfare and strategic presence. Tune in to understand why a new US military strategy for Taiwan is critical for maintaining regional stabi...

In this episode, we explore Ukrainian SEAD operations and their impact on modern warfare. Learn how Ukrainian special operations forces have successfully targeted Russian air defenses and what this means for the future of U.S. and NATO SOF. Tune in for an in-depth analysis of tactics, strategies, and lessons from the frontlines.

In today’s episode, we delve deep into the complexities of irregular warfare in the modern geopolitical landscape. With global tensions on the rise, from the Syrian conflict to the shifting power dynamics in Ukraine and beyond, this episode explores the need for an adaptive and layered U.S. strategy to navigate the "gray zone" of conflict. From proxy deterrence and economic warfare to combating di...

n this episode, we dive into the evolving role of U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) in Irregular Warfare (IW) and their growing impact on gray zone conflicts. USSOF’s adaptability, specialized skills, and focus on building resilient partnerships have made them pivotal in shaping regions and preempting threats—especially in conflicts like the ongoing war in Ukraine. We explore how USSOF has be...

In this episode, we delve into the historical and modern strategies for countering Russian occupation. From the guerrilla tactics of the Forest Brothers to lessons drawn from Ukraine's resistance, discover how multinational cooperation, emerging technologies, and pre-crisis planning can strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Learn why resilience, innovation, and unity are critical to resisting occupatio...

The Necessary Evolution of U.S. Grand Strategy: Learning from the Past to Address Modern Challenges in the Era of Strategic Competition by Doug Livermore   In an era of increasing global complexity and competition , the United States faces unprecedented challenges that require a fundamental reassessment of its grand strategy. As defined by Sir Basil Liddell Hart, the role of grand strategy is, “to...

During the final stretch of the 2024 American presidential election, the Department of Justice seized 32 web domains linked to ‘Doppelganger,’ an aggressive Russian disinformation campaign to influence American voters. Meanwhile, China has continued to exploit the US sanctions regime to promote its own currency , the renminbi, as a viable alternative to the dollar. And while wildfires and winter s...

Irregular warfare is a nebulous term that very much resembles the polycephalic hydra of Greek mythology. The manipulation of international law and norms to secure regional hegemony, use of unmarked soldiers and equipment to occupy the territory of another nation, highly violent transnational militia and terror networks , recurring cyberattacks , threats to critical infrastructure , and everything...

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...

by: Guido Torres, Executive Director of IWI January 2nd, 2025 The global security environment in 2024 proved as unpredictable as ever—yet, beneath the headlines, several clear themes and patterns emerged. A review of our articles published throughout the year reveals deeper insights into how irregular warfare is evolving across multiple fronts, from the Indo-Pacific to the Sahel, and from space to...

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...

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 contin...

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...