A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

This is not going to look like US-Soviet competition. ... Countries in Southeast Asia -- they don't want to choose. This episode is the second in a series of releases on the Emerging Environment in the Indo-Pacific Region, produced in collaboration with the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Department of Social Sciences as part of the 2019 Senior Conference. One of the central features of the Indo-Pacific region is the importance of alliances and partnerships. For the United States, five of its seven mutual defense treaties are in this region, and working together on issues from deterrence to proliferation to security to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is a critical element of strategy. But these alliances and partnerships require plenty of care and maintenance. How do these partnerships affect U.S. policy and strategy? A BETTER PEACE welcomes two experts in this area. First is Dr. Tanvi Madan from the Brookings Institution. Tanvi is an expert on Indian security and on India’s relations with China and the United States. Second is Ms. Lindsey Ford from the Asia Society Policy Institute. Lindsey previously served in a number of roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2009-2015, most recently as the Senior Adviser to the Assistant Secretary for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs. A BETTER PEACE Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.     Tanvi Madan is is a fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution and director of the India Project. Lindsey Ford is the Director for Political-Security Affairs and Richard Holbrooke Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the Editor-in-Chief of A BETTER PEACE. Photo: Commander Robert Rose, commanding officer of the USS Louisville, discusses daily operations with Royal Thai Navy leaders during a submarine tour in support of GUARDIAN SEA 2019. Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher A. Veloicaza Other releases in the Indo-Pacific Region Series: “FICINT”: ENVISIONING FUTURE WAR THROUGH FICTION & INTELLIGENCE(INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)HOW COMPETITORS USE TECHNOLOGY TO SHAPE THE ENVIRONMENT (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)HYPERCOMPETITION AND TRANSIENT ADVANTAGE (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)SECURITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION: THE VIEW FROM TOKYO (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)THE MEANING OF ‘PARTNERSHIP’ IN THE INDO-PACIFIC (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)DEMOGRAPHICS, AGING, AND SECURITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)

How fantastic that we live in a world where we have a problem of 'population aging'? This episode marks the first in a series of releases on the Emerging Environment in the Indo-Pacific Region, produced in collaboration with the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Department of Social Sciences as part of the 2019 Senior Conference. The Conference provides a forum for distinguished scholars, practitioners, and government officials to engage in candid discussions on topics of national security importance. Senior Conference is made possible by the generous support of the Rupert S. Johnson Grand Strategy Program and the Association of Graduates. This inaugural episode focuses on how demographic change relates to security, but the conclusions might be counterintuitive or vary depending on the country and region in question. Some countries have a prominent "youth bulge" - where the population distribution is heavily skewed toward young people. Other countries see the opposite and an aging population is the driver of demographic change. And it's the latter trend that dominates across the Indo-Pacific region, with Japan leading the way in terms of its median population age. Here to discuss the potential effects of aging and demographic change on security in the Indo-Pacific Region is special guest Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, the Stanley J. Buckman Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and a Global Fellow with the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC. She is the author of two books on the subject, The Future Faces of War: Population and National Security, published in 2011 and Everybody Counts which will be out with W.W. Norton in 2020. A BETTER PEACE Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.     Jennifer Sciubba is the Stanley J. Buckman Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and a Global Fellow with the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the Editor-in-Chief of A BETTER PEACE. Photo Credit: Pxhere.com under creative commons license Other releases in the Indo-Pacific Region Series: “FICINT”: ENVISIONING FUTURE WAR THROUGH FICTION & INTELLIGENCE(INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)HOW COMPETITORS USE TECHNOLOGY TO SHAPE THE ENVIRONMENT (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)HYPERCOMPETITION AND TRANSIENT ADVANTAGE (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)SECURITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION: THE VIEW FROM TOKYO (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)THE MEANING OF ‘PARTNERSHIP’ IN THE INDO-PACIFIC (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)DEMOGRAPHICS, AGING, AND SECURITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC (INDO-PACIFIC SERIES)

These two commanders, Scipio Africanus vs. Hannibal ... demonstrated [strategic leadership] to a great degree A BETTER PEACE continues the Great Captains series with the sequel to a previous episode on the renowned Carthaginian general Hannibal. This episode tells the story of Hannibal's opponent in the Battle of Zama, Scipio Africanus. Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236-183 BC) was one of the greatest military commanders of his time but has been overshadowed by Hannibal because of the latter's campaign in the Alps. However, Scipio not only defeated Hannibal at Zama, he previously was victorious in campaigns in Hispania (Spain) and overall was undefeated in battle. U.S. Army War College historian GK Cunningham presents Scipio's remarkable story with WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill.     GK Cunningham is Professor of Strategic Landpower at the U.S. Army War College. Andrew A. Hill is the WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Image: The Battle of Zama, by anonymous between 1567 and 1578. Image Credit: From the Art Institute of Chicago, public domain. Other Releases from the Great Captains series: KNOWING WHEN A WAR IS UNWINNABLE — GENERAL FREDERICK C. WEYAND (GREAT CAPTAINS)AN UNBEATEN ROMAN GENERAL: SCIPIO AFRICANUS (GREAT CAPTAINS)KNOW THY ENEMY: OSAMA BIN LADEN & RISE OF THE NON-STATE ACTOR (GREAT CAPTAINS)GEORGE C. MARSHALL & LEADING THE NATIONAL WAR EFFORT (GREAT CAPTAINS)THE PARTNERSHIP OF ROBERT E. LEE AND STONEWALL JACKSON (GREAT CAPTAINS)HANNIBAL AND THE MARCH THROUGH THE ALPS (GREAT CAPTAINS)WILLIAM T. SHERMAN: THE FIRST ‘MODERN’ GENERAL (GREAT CAPTAINS)GEORGE WASHINGTON: THE LESSONS OF FAILURE (GREAT CAPTAINS)

The European Union is a cooperative of twenty-eight member states, and everyone has different views A BETTER PEACE welcomes special guest Aili Ribulis of the European Union's delegation to the United States to discuss advances and initiatives that the EU is undertaking to develop its capabilities. This follows up on a podcast conducted in 2018 with Ms. Ribulis' predecessor, Mr. Ludwig Blaurock, who presented the concepts under development. As Ms. Ribulis explains, over thirty major initiatives are being pursued, and several are in active development. There are also challenges from having to secure consensus from all its member states and dealing with on-going issues such as Brexit. Is there cause for optimism or caution? U.S. Army War College Director of European Studies Darrell Driver moderates.     Aili Ribulis serves as counselor of political-military affairs with the European Union delegation to the United States. Darrell Driver is the Director of European Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Hungarian soldiers of KTRBN (KFOR Tactical Reserve Battalion) in convoy arrive at Kula during an exercise help by the European Force (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo Credit: Warrant Officer Ullrich Kallinger, EUFOR

In 2013, a team of authors was commissioned by then Chief of Staff of the Army General Odierno to write a study of Operation Iraqi Freedom to glean insights for immediate practical application. The resulting two-volume report (Volume I | Volume II) was completed in 2016 but not authorized for release until early in 2019. In this presentation, A BETTER PEACE welcomes co-editor U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Frank Sobchak and author U.S. Army Colonel Jim Powell to discuss their experiences of assembling the team, researching the report, and ultimately writing what came to a 1300-page product with tremendous implications for the current and future Army. What were more important insights? What were the toughest challenges, beyond the sheer size of the project? A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.

In the States, we hadn't had tanks coming off the assembly line in months In 1992, as calls for the post-Cold War peace dividend grew louder, then-Chief of Staff of the Army General Gordon Sullivan wrote a provocative essay in ARMY Magazine as a clarion call for the nation to sustain vigilance and military preparedness for war. "NO MORE Task Force Smiths" presented the story of U.S. unpreparedness going into the Korean War. A badly understrength and underequipped constabulary force in Japan found itself very quickly inserted into action after North Korea's invasion of the south and performed poorly. Sullivan's concern was that U.S. penchant for precipitous post-war drawdowns would leave U.S. forces vulnerable for an unforeseen fight in an unexpected place. But the focus on TF Smith left insufficient attention to other factors leading to unpreparedness, factors that could undermine U.S. efforts in a future war even if the combat forces are fully trained and ready. Historian Michael E. Lynch of the Army Heritage and Education Center presents these factors and explains the lessons for the modern defense enterprise. A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.     Michael E. Lynch is a senior historian at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the Editor-in-Chief of A BETTER PEACE. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Task Force Smith of the 24th Infantry Division arriving at the railway station in Taejon, Korea. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo, public domain.

Democracy in South Africa is still fairly young. ... The people of South Africa are still not enjoying the fruits of prosperity or economic growth As South Africa faces its May 2019 Presidential elections, the nation finds itself at a crossroads. Support for the African National Congress, the party of Mandela that ushered in post-Apartheid democracy, is waning as other political parties mature and charges of corruption has engulfed some ruling officials. But the momentum for change is not going as fast as perhaps eighteen months ago, so the outcome is far from clear. But this does not deter returning guest Dan Hampton of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies and War College professor Chris Wyatt from using their 'crystal ball' and forecasting the results. Regardless of what transpires, South Africa remains an important partner for the U.S. in Africa, and therefore the U.S. is monitoring closely.     Dan Hampton is Chief of Staff and Professor of Practice at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Chris Wyatt is a colonel in the U.S. Army and is the Director of African studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or the Department of Defense. Image: Hand and voting box from Elements5 Digital via Pexels.com, public domain under the creative commons license; South Africa flag via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The common thread [in addressing key strategic problems] is the requirement to convert operational military success to political success A BETTER PEACE welcomes General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith to the studio to discuss his perspectives on strategic leadership and balancing continuity with the need for change. The British Army has a very long history, and General Carleton-Smith addresses the importance of remembering and maintaining that history, especially today with emerging views that robust land-based forces and capabilities are no longer relevant or necessary. Decision making at the strategic level, therefore, balances the past, present, and future of the force while synthesizing military conceptions of risk, success, and failure with those of the political leaders. A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.     Mark Carleton-Smith is the Chief of the General Staff in the British Army and was the 73rd Kermit Roosevelt lecturer. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the Editor of A BETTER PEACE: The WAR ROOM Podcast. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: General Sir Mark Alexander Carleton-Smith addresses the U.S. Army War College resident class during the Kermit-Roosevelt Lecture Series. His talk underscored the commitment, capabilities, and like-mindedness of the U.K. and U.S. relationship. Photo Credit: Charity Murtorff, U.S. Army War College photo. Other releases in the "Senior Leader Perspectives" series: A CONVERSATION WITH THE HONORABLE MELISSA DALTON OF DEFENSE POLICYCAMPAIGNING IN THE PACIFIC: A CONVERSATION WITH GEN FLYNNA TRANSATLANTIC PERSPECTIVE ON NATO (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)OBSERVATIONS FROM NATO’S NORTHERN FRONT (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)ALLIES ARE MORE THAN FRIENDS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)THE CHALLENGES OF KEEPING SPACE SECURE (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)TENSIONS AND PARADOXES FACING SENIOR LEADERS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEADING AND WINNING IN GREAT POWER COMPETITION (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEARNING ABOUT LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE CLASSICS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)WHAT IT TAKES FOR COLONELS TO BE SUCCESSFUL (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)BALANCING BETWEEN CIVILIAN LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD“WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GET YOU THERE” — AND OTHER CAUTIONARY TALES FOR LEADERSWHEN THE MILITARY IS NOT IN CHARGE: DEFENSE SUPPORT TO CIVIL AUTHORITIESWHAT DOES ‘SUCCESS’ MEAN AS A STRATEGIC LEADER?STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND CHANGING THE US ARMY IN EUROPETHE CHALLENGES OF SENIOR LEADER COMMUNICATIONTHE SENIOR NCO AS A STRATEGIC LEADERSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FROM AN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVEWHAT DO THE BRITS THINK OF AMERICAN OFFICERS?PERSPECTIVES ON STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP — GEN. ROBIN RAND, U.S. AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMANDGROWING AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING CAPACITY

There is a significant percentage of Europeans ... that believe that American standards and quality of products and services ... are very low A BETTER PEACE explores the current state of trade between the U.S. and Europe as compared to U.S.-China trade. While the latter gets more attention nowadays, in reality transatlantic trade remains many times greater and much more important politically. However, as relations between the U.S. and Europe become more complex (and in some ways more strained), it may be risky to assume current trade levels can be sustained. Discussing these and related topics are Johan Eliasson of East Stroudsburg University and Darrell Driver, Director of European Studies at the U.S. Army War College.     Johan Eliasson is Associate Professor of International Relations at East Stroudsburg University. Darrell Driver is a colonel in the U.S. Army and the Director of European Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: Scene of the port of Hamburg, Germany by Tom Galvin

Russia still needs to be a part of the West. ... Our position should be to remain open and stay engaged with Russia A BETTER PEACE is pleased to welcome Ambassador John Tefft to the studio to discuss his perspectives on Russia and Russian-US relations. As former US Ambassador to Russia from 2014-2017, AMB Tefft served in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the most recent Presidential election. With U.S. Army War College Director of Eurasian Studies Bob Hamilton, AMB Tefft provides background and insights into Russia's strategic interests and recent actions. Although many are looking to Russia through an adversarial lens, AMB Tefft offers some contrarian views based on his experience and observations. A fascinating conversation you won't want to miss.       John Tefft is former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and currently a fellow a RAND Corporation. Bob Hamilton is Director of Eurasian Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Russian War Memorial, shot during a Victory Day celebration. Photo Credit: Uncredited, from pxhere.com under creative commons license.