Major Jayson Geroux, a Canadian Army officer and urban warfare historian, joins Stuart Lyle, an urban operations research lead for the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, to share their holiday wish list for urban warfare. They discuss the critical need for diverse perspectives in urban warfare studies, highlighting gaps in literature and calling for increased military engagement. From advocating for improved training to the integration of tactical drones, they emphasize the importance of equipping soldiers with the right tools and strategies for effective urban combat.
The podcast emphasizes the urgent need for diverse scholarly perspectives in urban warfare to enhance doctrine and strategy development.
Effective urban combat requires attention to micro-tactical necessities, such as communication tools and basic equipment, which are often neglected.
Deep dives
Expanding Voices in Urban Warfare Studies
The need for greater involvement in the field of urban warfare is critical, as the current community is relatively small and lacks diverse perspectives. There has been a historical void in the literature around urban warfare, with early works highlighting this gap as far back as 1973. Over decades, urban operations, particularly during the global war on terror, have repeatedly showcased their importance, yet scholarly attention remains minimal. Increasing the number of voices and engaging more researchers, authors, and theorists can enrich the discourse and foster the development of comprehensive doctrines and strategies for urban warfare.
The Importance of Thorough Research and Peer Review
As urban warfare becomes more prevalent, the quality and accuracy of associated research and publications need to improve significantly. Many current articles and after-action reviews are written by individuals without sufficient expertise, leading to inaccuracies and flawed analyses. Insightful critiques highlight the importance of seeking feedback from knowledgeable professionals within the urban warfare community to ensure rigor in urban operations literature. Accurate and peer-reviewed work contributes to creating practical and useful operational doctrines that can inform military strategies effectively.
Strategic Buy-In for Urban Operations Training
For urban operations training to advance, there must be a strategic commitment from leadership within military organizations. Despite an apparent increase in bottom-up requests for urban operations training, there is minimal top-down support or investment in dedicated programs. Addressing this disconnect is crucial, as higher-level approval and resource allocation can lead to meaningful institutional changes that prioritize urban warfare training. Realizing that urban environments are becoming increasingly relevant in conflict necessitates a thorough commitment from military leaders to strengthen urban operations strategies.
Emphasizing Tactical Essentials in Urban Warfare
Focusing on the finer details of urban warfare capabilities at the micro-tactical level is essential for success in urban combat scenarios. Often overshadowed by larger procurement programs, small tactical necessities can significantly impact urban operations, including communication equipment and basic tools like ladders. The complexity of urban combat means that simple, effective solutions should not be overlooked in favor of more advanced technologies. As urban battles consist of smaller, discrete engagements, these tactical essentials can be crucial in enabling military forces to maneuver and engage effectively.
In what has become a holiday tradition, the Urban Warfare Project Podcast turns its attention to an important question: What items should be on a military force's urban warfare holiday wish list? To do so, John Spencer is joined once again this year by two urban warfare scholars to discuss the unique capabilities, ideas, and initiatives they would like Santa to deliver. Major Jayson Geroux is a Canadian Army officer and urban warfare historian assigned to the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre. And Mr. Stuart Lyle is the urban operations research lead for the UK-based Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. From new scholarship to cheap tactical drones, they discuss the items that would help militaries be best prepared for urban warfare.
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