Intelligence Squared The Dragons and the Snakes: How the Rest Learned to Fight the West, with David Kilcullen and Carl Miller
May 14, 2020
David Kilcullen, a leading counterinsurgency expert and author, joins Carl Miller to discuss how adversaries like Al-Qaeda have evolved their tactics in the modern battlefield. They delve into how global powers, particularly China, are using economic strategies to expand influence while posing security threats. The conversation highlights the rise of information warfare, the unique struggles democracies face, and the importance of adapting military strategies to new geopolitical realities. Kilcullen emphasizes the need for cohesive approaches to ensure stability in this complex conflict landscape.
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Al-Qaeda's After-Action Review
- David Kilcullen was called "Petraeus's Australian mercenary" on an Al-Qaeda messaging board.
- This highlighted Al-Qaeda's adaptive learning, analyzing their failures during the surge.
Dragons and Snakes
- Adversaries are categorized as dragons (state actors) and snakes (non-state actors).
- Originally, snakes were the primary concern, but now dragons have returned, having learned from Western conflicts.
Convergence of Dragons and Snakes
- Snakes are becoming more like dragons, acquiring greater lethality.
- Dragons are adopting snake-like tactics, exploiting unconventional warfare.
