Economist Podcasts General rule: how to reinvent America’s army
19 snips
Oct 8, 2024 
Anne Rowe, The Economist's obituaries editor, shares insights on the evolution of the U.S. Army's strategy as it shifts from counterinsurgency to preparing for state-on-state conflicts. She discusses the challenges of adopting innovation and advanced technologies in military operations. Additionally, the conversation touches on the surging trend of private tutoring in Asia, highlighting issues in public education and the pressure it puts on families. Rowe also celebrates the influential Lebanese novelist Elias Khoury, shining light on his literary contributions.
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Clear Skies to Cluttered Battlefield
- Randy George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, reflects on a simpler past in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Back then, looking up meant seeing friendly aircraft; now, the airspace is more contested and complex.
Shifting Focus
- The U.S. Army is shifting its focus from counterinsurgency to preparing for large-scale conflicts.
- This entails building "lethal and cohesive teams" and modernizing for potential clashes with state adversaries like Russia or China.
Streamlining for Efficiency
- The army is trimming unnecessary equipment like vehicles and trailers.
- This allows more resources to be allocated to training and increasing ammunition production.
