Thomas X. Hammes

Susan Bryant and Thomas X. Hammes dive into the complexities of strategic culture and its impact on irregular warfare. Bryant shares insights on how American beliefs and technological reliance create vulnerabilities in gray zone conflicts. Hammes emphasizes the need for a shift in military strategies, urging a focus on building partnerships over combat. They discuss historical examples from Afghanistan and Iraq, revealing how cultural biases can undermine effective military responses. The conversation highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in modern conflict.

Thomas X. Hammes, a Distinguished Research Fellow and retired Marine Colonel, teams up with Susan Bryant, an Adjunct Professor and retired Army Colonel, to dissect the intricacies of irregular warfare. They argue that America's strategic culture shapes its approach to competition in the gray zone, often to its disadvantage. Insights from their book highlight how cultural biases lead to oversimplified conflict understandings. The duo uses historical examples to illustrate the evolution of insurgencies and critiques the complexities of measuring military success.