Urban Warfare Project Urban Warfare Project Christmas Wish List, 2025 Edition
Dec 22, 2025
Join Major Jayson Geroux, an infantry officer and urban warfare historian, alongside Stuart Lyle, the urban operations research lead at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. They explore a military wish list for urban warfare, advocating for innovative developments like AI-powered real-time mapping, mandated small drones for safety, and a rethink on the use of tear gas in cities. The duo emphasizes the need for realistic training in urban environments and urges military forces to prioritize unique capabilities tailored for complex urban combat.
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Leadership Changes Institutional Priorities
- John Spencer argues a single transformational senior leader can realign a military to prioritize urban warfare across doctrine, training, and resources.
- He cites the 40th Infantry Division urban planners course as proof that one leader's commitment yields durable institutional value.
Reassess Policy On CS Gas Use
- Major Jayson Geroux recommends reopening policy discussions to allow judicious military use of CS (tear) gas in urban operations under high authorization.
- He argues CS can reduce civilian harm and structural destruction compared with explosive munitions when used with discipline and synchronization.
Hue Case: Gas Enabled Rapid Clearance
- Major Jayson Geroux recounts 1-5 Marines in Hue using CS gas to clear blocks quickly with zero casualties after earlier heavy losses.
- He contrasts two weeks of heavy fighting and 50% casualties with a three-hour gas-assisted clearance of 12 blocks.