The Resistance Hub Podcast

This episode examines how International Humanitarian Law (IHL) applies to resistance movements and irregular combatants in modern conflict. Drawing on historical precedents and current cases—including Russia’s actions in Ukraine—we explore the legal status of fighters, the challenges of targeting and proportionality, and the role of international mechanisms in enforcing accountability. The discuss...

In this episode, we explore a bold new vision for fighting wildfires—one that puts communities at the center of the response. Using the fictional “Raven Ridge” incident as a case study, we break down how a decentralized wildfire framework could work in practice. From AI-driven detection and IoT sensor networks to drone reconnaissance and volunteer firebreak crews, we examine the technologies, tact...

Some of the most influential works on guerrilla warfare and resistance span hundreds of pages and wander through political, ideological, or irrelevant digressions. From T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom to Mao Zedong’s People’s War and Che Guevara’s Guerrilla Warfare , the core principles are there—but buried. In this episode, we reveal why The Distillery Press exists: to strip away the exce...

Authoritarianism rarely arrives overnight—it seeps into political systems through subtle shifts, eroded freedoms, and manufactured consent. In this episode, we break down the telltale signs of creeping authoritarian rule, from the centralization of power and suppression of dissent to manipulation of elections and state control over information. Drawing on real-world examples from Russia, China, Tu...

In March 2025, Romania’s Constitutional Court barred far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu from running in a rerun election—citing Russian interference and violations of electoral law. Supporters hailed it as a decisive act of “militant democracy,” a doctrine allowing democracies to restrict anti-democratic actors. Critics warned it set a dangerous precedent, undermining voter choice wi...

This episode breaks down Venezuela’s resistance potential and the irregular warfare risks any foreign force would face during intervention or occupation. We examine how terrain, criminal networks, political narratives, and external sponsors shape a complex operating environment where multiple resistance actors could emerge quickly. Drawing from Resistance Potential and Irregular Warfare Risk , we...

In this episode, we unpack four of the most misunderstood terms in modern conflict: irregular warfare, asymmetric warfare, hybrid warfare, and guerrilla warfare. Drawing from decades of military evolution—from anti-colonial uprisings to Crimea and beyond—we explore their origins, precise definitions, and the critical distinctions that shape doctrine, policy, and strategy. We examine how these form...

The Indo-Pacific is fast becoming the epicenter of modern strategic competition—not just in traditional military terms, but in the murky realm of irregular and hybrid warfare. In this episode, we unpack Australia’s evolving role in this contested environment. From countering cyber-enabled espionage and foreign interference to reshaping its defense posture under the Defence Strategic Review, Austra...

In this episode of Countering Misinformation , we break down the tools and tactics needed to identify, verify, and neutralize falsehoods before they fracture communities. From spotting emotionally charged headlines to detecting altered visuals, we explore how authoritarian regimes weaponize misinformation—and how you can fight back. Drawing on proven methods from fact-checkers, investigative journ...

Russia’s war in Ukraine has opened a hidden front—one that stretches far beyond Europe’s borders. In this episode, we investigate how the Kremlin is luring foreign nationals from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East into combat under false pretenses. Promised jobs, education, or residency, they instead find themselves isolated, coerced, and deployed to the front lines within days of ar...

In this episode, we explore the hidden half of insurgencies—the vast, complex underground networks that operate beneath the visible guerrilla forces. Drawing from Human Factors Considerations of Undergrounds in Insurgencies (Department of the Army Pamphlet No. 550-104), we examine how these clandestine structures are organized, protected, and sustained. From recruitment and intelligence gathering...

This episode explores Edward Bernays’ groundbreaking work Propaganda and its enduring impact on how ideas are shaped, spread, and controlled. We examine Bernays’ concept of the “invisible government,” the psychological principles behind persuasion, and the tools—such as framing, repetition, and symbolism—that continue to drive political campaigns, marketing strategies, and social movements today....

From the highlands of West Papua to the deserts of Western Sahara, ten long-running independence and human rights struggles continue out of sight of the global news cycle. In this episode, we uncover the histories, present realities, and stakes for communities whose fights for freedom and dignity have been ignored or buried under geopolitical priorities. We explore why these movements remain under...

This article offers a comprehensive exploration of how social movements emerge, grow, and influence change. It breaks down the core drivers behind collective action—from shared grievances and political opportunities to the role of identity and emotional momentum. Drawing on the work of influential theorists like Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, Gene Sharp, and Erica Chenoweth, it examines the resources...

In the shadow of Belarus’s authoritarian regime, a new form of underground resistance has taken shape. Known as “ghost unions,” these covert networks operate within factories, railways, and plants, using subtle workplace sabotage to undermine state capacity without drawing attention. From deliberate slowdowns to quiet equipment mishandling, they wage a hidden war of attrition—evading detection whi...

In this episode, we explore the clandestine world of underground networks in insurgent, revolutionary, and resistance warfare. Drawing from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Assessing Revolutionary and Insurgent Strategies series, we examine how underground organizations form, recruit, operate, and survive in hostile environments. From historical case studies to modern adaptations, we bre...

This episode examines the evolving nature of urban resistance in modern conflict, exploring how irregular fighters transform dense city environments into force multipliers. Drawing from historical examples and current battlefields, we analyze the principles, tactics, and logistical innovations that allow resistance movements to survive and adapt under occupation. From tunnel warfare and decentrali...

On May 1, 2025, Istanbul saw one of its most sweeping May Day crackdowns in recent memory — over 400 arrests, streets sealed by barricades, and protesters dragged into unmarked vans. This episode examines the events of that day, the historical roots of Turkey’s May Day repression, and the evolving tactics of resistance movements under an increasingly authoritarian state. From facial recognition su...

In this episode, we dissect Ukraine’s four parallel campaigns in its war against Russia: precision strikes deep inside Russian territory, a static land defense along entrenched frontlines, a maritime denial effort in the Black Sea, and a global information offensive. Each campaign has achieved notable successes, from degrading strategic bombers to forcing Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to reposition. Ye...

In this bonus episode, we examine H.R. 5061 — the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act — a bill aimed at reauthorizing and reforming federal counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities. We break down how it seeks to improve transparency, safety, security, and accountability in detecting and mitigating drone threats. Key topics include protections for critical infrastruc...

Energy pipelines have become the new frontlines in global conflict—targets for sabotage, cyberattacks, and insurgent campaigns. In this episode, we examine how pipelines have evolved from economic lifelines to strategic pressure points in hybrid warfare. From the Nord Stream blasts in the Baltic Sea to the Niger Delta’s decades-long insurgency and the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, we explore the...

This episode explores why highly politicized militaries, such as those of China and Russia, are especially vulnerable to irregular warfare. We examine how loyalty-driven command structures, internal surveillance, and political interference can undermine operational flexibility, erode trust within the ranks, and create exploitable weaknesses. Historical examples and contemporary analysis reveal how...

This episode examines the OSS Simple Sabotage Field Manual , a declassified World War II document created to guide Allied agents and resistance networks in disrupting enemy operations. We explore its origins, how it was intended to be used, and its mix of practical and often unintentionally humorous advice — from damaging infrastructure to slowing down organizations through meetings, paperwork, an...

This episode examines Che Guevara’s theory of guerrilla warfare, exploring his vision of armed struggle as both a military and political tool for revolution. We break down his foco theory, the role of rural insurgency, and how his ideas influenced movements across Latin America and beyond.

This episode explores the life and campaigns of T.E. Lawrence, examining how his experiences during the Arab Revolt shaped enduring principles of irregular warfare. We discuss his strategies for working with indigenous forces, the interplay of politics and combat, and the relevance of his ideas to modern conflict.