What Determines Success in Guerrilla Warfare?

Dec 15, 2025

Join General (Ret.) Stan McChrystal, a four-star general with vast experience in irregular warfare, and Dr. Alec Worsnop, an expert on insurgent military effectiveness, as they unravel the secrets of guerrilla warfare success. They discuss how cohesive ideology and social ties aren't enough; it's skilled leaders and professionalization that drive effective insurgent forces. The conversation explores the evolution of the Taliban, the importance of tactical leadership, and the need for tailored security assistance, highlighting the complexities of modern insurgencies.

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INSIGHT

Tactics, Not Just Ideology, Win Wars

Guerrilla warfare works only if insurgents can execute core military tasks like fire-and-maneuver, use of terrain, and coordinated withdrawal.
Ideology, social ties, and resources help mobilize fighters but do not ensure tactical competence or survival on the battlefield.

INSIGHT

Small-Unit Leaders Drive Effectiveness

Skilled small-unit combat leaders are the linchpin of insurgent military effectiveness because they plan operations and run realistic training.
Their work builds task-based cohesion where fighters trust competence over social or political standing.

ANECDOTE

Afghan Hands Program Hit Bureaucracy

Stan McChrystal recounts proposing the 'Afghan Hands' program to create language-trained rotational experts and facing service resistance.
The services slow-rolled it because it disrupted career paths despite top-level approval.

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Episode 143 examines what enables certain guerrilla and insurgent forces to develop genuine military effectiveness on the battlefield.

Our guests discuss why ideological cohesion, social ties, and material resources alone are insufficient for insurgents to successfully implement guerrilla strategies. Drawing on historical examples and a detailed analysis of the Taliban’s evolution in Afghanistan, they argue that success depends on the professionalization of the force—particularly the recruitment, training, and empowerment of skilled small-unit combat leaders who enable effective planning, realistic training, adaptation, and task-oriented cohesion. The conversation explores broader implications for understanding insurgencies, counterinsurgency challenges, and security force assistance programs.

General (Ret.) Stan McChrystal is a retired U.S. Army four-star general, former commander of Joint Special Operations Command and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, founder of the McChrystal Group, and author of multiple books on leadership and irregular warfare.

Dr. Alec Worsnop is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Modern War Institute. His research focuses on insurgent military effectiveness, and this episode is based on his recent book titled Rebels in the Field: Cadres and the Development of Insurgent Military Power published by Oxford University Press.

Kyle Atwell and Alisa Laufer are the hosts for episode 143. Please reach out to them with any questions about the episode or IWI.

The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

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All views expressed in this episode are the personal views of the participants and do not represent those of any government agency or of the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project.

Intro music: “Unsilenced” by Ketsa

Outro music: “Launch” by Ketsa