

Ben Connable
Director Executive at Battle Research Group and Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University's Security Studies Program. Author of Ground Combat, Puncturing the Myths of Modern War.
Top 5 podcasts with Ben Connable
Ranked by the Snipd community

54 snips
Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 39min
#8--James Sladden and Ben Connable
James Sladden is a historian and conflict researcher, currently a PhD candidate at Cambridge, while Ben Connable is an expert in modern ground combat and an adjunct professor at Georgetown. They dive deep into the pivotal Battle of Irpin, revealing the three moments when Russian forces almost secured victory. They highlight the vital contributions of Ukrainian volunteers and small unit leaders, the intense artillery clashes, and the significant challenges in conducting on-ground conflict research. Their insights emphasize the importance of evolving narratives and firsthand accounts in military history.

42 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 6min
#219: War Against the Cartels with Ben Connable
Ben Connable, a former Marine intelligence officer and author, delves into the complexities of battling cartels and drug trafficking. He discusses the challenges of shifting from law enforcement to military responses and the risks of irregular warfare. Connable contrasts threats from entrenched Mexican cartels with Venezuelan gangs and provides insights into operational complexities across countries like Haiti and Colombia. He also emphasizes the necessity of public messaging and setting realistic expectations for long campaigns against these organizations.

26 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 52min
Understanding Modern Combat with Battle Research Group
In this insightful discussion, Ben Connable, a former US Marine and leader of the Battle Research Group, delves into the nuances of modern ground combat. He emphasizes the necessity of studying battles, like the Irpin River clash, to grasp evolving tactics and human dynamics. Ben reveals how shrinking militaries and tech reliance complicate decision-making, highlighting the importance of preserving primary sources for military history. He also discusses the critical impact of civilians in warfare and the challenges of fighting in urban environments.

24 snips
Aug 23, 2025 • 40min
Ben Connable, "Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War" (Georgetown UP, 2025)
Ben Connable, a Director Executive at Battle Research Group and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown, dives into the complex realities of ground combat in his book. He reveals that the evolution of warfare is often gradual, challenging the myth of revolutionary military changes. Connable discusses the ongoing relevance of tanks, critiques the generalization of lessons from Ukraine, and argues for strategic investments in counter-drone technology. His findings emphasize the necessity for evidence-based approaches in understanding and planning modern military tactics.

23 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 38min
Earlylands in Conversation - Episode 20 - Historian & Strategist Ben Connable on the Realities of Modern Ground Combat
Ben Connable, a retired Marine Corps officer and author with a PhD in War Studies, shares his insights on modern ground combat. He challenges the notion that technology has drastically changed warfare, emphasizing enduring realities of fear and uncertainty. Connable details his research on 423 battles, contrasting the persistent need for motivated infantry with the rise of drones. He stresses the importance of rigorous field research over convenience bias and highlights the psychological impacts of combat. His perspective offers a compelling counter-narrative to popular military myths.


