Shield of the Republic How Do You Fight in a City?
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Aug 28, 2025 
John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Madison Policy Forum and a former U.S. Army officer, dives into the complexities of urban warfare. He explores the unique challenges of combat in city environments and compares historical battles from the U.S.-Mexican War to recent urban conflicts in Iraq and Gaza. Spencer debunks common myths about room-to-room fighting, reveals the impact of cognitive warfare, and illustrates how Israel grapples with Gaza’s vast tunnel systems and the implications for civilian populations. His insights on evolving tactics are both enlightening and eye-opening.
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Why Urban Warfare Is Unique
- Urban warfare is distinct because it combines dense populations, man-made infrastructure, legal constraints, and intense information operations.
- Militaries tend to avoid cities, which shapes doctrine and strategic choices.
U.S. History With Cities Is Patchy
- U.S. experience with city fighting is sporadic and shaped by specific political goals, not doctrine.
- Avoidance of urban fights influenced doctrine long after cities became central to conflict.
Urban Fights Aren't Just Room-to-Room
- Popular images of urban warfare (house-to-house fighting) are often misleading.
- Cities can fall quickly or hold protractedly depending on history, geography, and how defenders prepare.
