A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

I wrote to my mother, who was living in France, saying, 'We're not going to win this war. We're making the same mistakes the French made only on a larger scale.' Every late summer, resident War College students immerse themselves in the Theory of War and Strategy, a challenging core course that covers the fundamentals of war at the national level. But for those who have fought, war is anything but an abstract concept. The experiences of war leave indelible impressions that last a lifetime. In this podcast, former U.S. Marine Corps pilot David Bennett tells his story of Vietnam a half-century ago, relaying memories that remain as vivid now as the original experiences.   David Bennett is a retired foreign service officer and veteran of the Vietnam War. Andrew A. Hill is the Editor-in-Chief of WAR ROOM. 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: REUTERS/Paul McErlane

The real competitive strength of the U.S. is in our [political and economic] system, particularly the interaction between the two. The politics generally keeps its hands off. C. Richard Neu, former economist at RAND and U.S. Army War College Professor Joel Hillison return to the WAR ROOM studio for the second installment of our podcast series on economics and strategic leadership. "Preserving Peace Through Economic Strength" looks at the uneasy nexus between U.S. grand strategy and its economic instrument of power. While America's strategic position is strong and has withstood challenges from other emerging powers for the past decade, it is because of a hands-off (rather than hands-on) approach toward its economic development. This has implications for economic stability both at home and abroad, and for America being able to use economic incentives to foster partnerships and influence opponents.   C. Richard Neu is a Professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and a former senior economist at RAND. Joel Hillison is Professor of National Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Image Credit: Poster of then-Presidential Candidate McKinley's campaign courtesy the National Archives. Background picture of cash from pexels.com (public domain). Image assembled by Tom Galvin.

Young people are capable of extraordinary things as long as they are given the opportunity by the adults in their lives An all-volunteer force depends on the willingness, capabilities, and capacities of a nation's youth to serve. While much has been made of the paucity of youths who meet the physical and moral qualifications to serve in the military, there are also open questions about the desire of upcoming generations to serve. But what builds that desire, and what roles should older generations play? The film High School 911 tells the story of an emergency medical service in Darien, Connecticut staffed and run entirely by high school students. The results not only include a needed enhancement in a town's emergency services but also the development of important life skills and empowerment of youth. High School 911 director Tim Warren and WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill discuss these and other topics related to the development of our future generations.     Tim Warren is director and producer of the documentary "High School 911." Andrew A. Hill is Chair of Strategic Leadership 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: Photograph of members of Darien Post 53 Emergency Services from 2008, showing four teens and one of the adult mentors. Photo Credit: Kevin Robinson, used with permission

They saw airplanes ... come into reality as weapon systems ... and they became strong advocates. We continue our Great Strategists series with a look at three pioneers of airpower -- Giulio Douhet from the Italian Armed Forces, Billy Mitchell of the U.S., and Hugh Trenchard, the "father" of the British Royal Air Force. In the early 20th century, these three great innovators and thinkers saw the battlefield changing as a result of the introduction of airplanes. Only a decade would pass from the Wright Brothers' first flight to use of aircraft in World War I -- and controlling the skies have been vital to military success ever since. Presenting these pioneers is Dr. Tami Davis Biddle, U.S. Army War College Professor of National Security Affairs, and Dr. Jacqueline E. Whitt, U.S. Army War College Professor of Strategy.   Tami Davis Biddle is Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College. Images: (L-R) Portraits of Giulio Douhet, Billy Mitchell, and Hugh Trenchard; background image is of a Sopwith Camel from the British Royal Air Force. All photos are in the public domain. Image Credit: Composite assembled by Tom Galvin. Releases in the "Great Strategists" series: ON CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ (EPISODE 1) (GREAT STRATEGISTS)SUN TZU AND THE ART OF WAR (EPISODE 2) (GREAT STRATEGISTS)KAUTILYA, THE ARTHASHASTRA, AND ANCIENT REALISM (EPISODE 3) (GREAT STRATEGISTS)MAHAN AND SEA POWER (EPISODE 4) (GREAT STRATEGISTS)THREE PIONEERS OF AIRPOWER (GREAT STRATEGISTS)JOHN BOYD AND THE “OODA” LOOP (GREAT STRATEGISTS)JOHN WARDEN AND THE ENEMY AS A SYSTEM (GREAT STRATEGISTS)BEYOND THUCYDIDES: HERODOTUS, XENOPHON & UNDERSTANDING WAR (GREAT STRATEGISTS)THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF WAR — THUCYDIDES (GREAT STRATEGISTS)A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO WAR? ANTOINE-HENRI JOMINI (GREAT STRATEGISTS)HOW MUCH FOR THE PEN? SCHELLING (GREAT STRATEGISTS)K.M PANIKKAR: INDIAN SCHOLAR, DIPLOMAT, STRATEGIST (GREAT STRATEGISTS)HORSESHOES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND SHARED UNDERSTANDING: CHESTER NIMITZ’S ART OF COMMAND

Subsequent events after the election seem to bear out that perhaps we do have old wine in new bottles. In February 2018, Chris Wyatt and Jacqueline E. Whitt discussed the Strange Bloodless Coup in Zimbabwe in which Robert Mugabe was quietly deposed and new President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed power. At the time, there were a lot of questions about what would happen next. Would Zimbabwe normalize its international relations? Would Zimbabwe transition to a peaceful democracy? Or would the roots of authoritarian rule stand firm and the military retain a stronghold on power? With the 2018 Presidential elections complete, Chris and Jackie return to the studio to report on what has happened in the six intervening months and what it portends for the future.   Chris Wyatt is a colonel in the U.S. Army and is the Director of African Studies at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the WAR ROOM podcast editor. 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: Activists and demonstrators protest following election results in Zimbabwe, outside the Zimbabwe embassy in London, Britain, August 4, 2018. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville

For the past decade or so, the economics profession has been scratching its head hard to figure out why has [the engine of U.S. production] started to falter? Without question, the state of the U.S. economy shapes the conversation between national leaders and the military over strategies, requirements, and capabilities. But economics is not a true science and therefore it can be difficult to understand the meaning behind economic indicators and the impacts on policy. This podcast leads off a three-part series on the intersection of economics and politics at the national level to help frame on-going discussions. Why does significant growth not necessarily lead to a stronger economy, and what does the level of the federal debt really mean? These and other topics are discussed by C. Richard Neu, former economist at RAND and U.S. Army War College Professor Joel Hillison.   C. Richard Neu is a Professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and a former senior economist at RAND. Joel Hillison is Professor of National Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: PXhere.com (released to public domain)

We should focus [artificial intelligence] in assisting and helping us make more timely and effective decisions Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a lot of noise today, what does its continued development mean for national security? Will AI solve problems, or are there important limits to the technology that AI is unlikely to overcome? What should be the role of AI in the future force? Recent U.S. Army War College graduate Mike Navicky discusses these and many other AI-related topics with Andrew A. Hill, WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief.     Mike Navicky is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College resident class of 2018. 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 reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: U.S. Marines test new counter-unmanned aerial vehicle technologies during a naval technology exercise at Camp Pendleton in March 2018. Photo Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Rhita Daniel

[The Harold K. Johnson Chair] is an effort to bring civilians into the military in order to chip away at the gap that exists ... between the civilian world and the military As a follow-up to her WAR ROOM article on professional military education, former Harold K. Johnson Chair of Military History Dr. Jennifer Mittelstadt reflects on her one-year tour at the U.S. Army War College. As a lifelong civilian with no experience serving in the military, she noted many cultural differences that highlight a growing gap between military members and civilians in their approaches to education, work, and life. Many service members may take for granted the way things are done on and off post, but others may find them very challenging. She is joined by WAR ROOM Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt, also a military historian who is not a former service member.     Jen Mittelstadt is the Harold K. Johnson Chair of Military History at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy 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 Credit: U.S. Army War College Photo: Official photo of Seminar 6 of the U.S. Army War College resident class during the annual National Security Seminar, held 4-7 June 2018. Seated in the front row are guests of the War College. Dr. Mittelstadt appears at far left of the second row. Note: The National Security Seminar is a four-day event that creates an environment for Army War College students and invited guests to examine current national security issues and exchange candid dialogue. NSS takes place during the first full week of June, immediately preceding resident class graduation, and serves as a capstone event that enhances student learning through exposure to a cross-section of American perspectives.

There is one thing for the event to occur; but the manner in which it was handled was more institutionally damning. In a follow-up to his article published in WAR ROOM in June, Richard Lacquement sits down with WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill to go over the aftermath of My Lai as it continues to influence Army professionalism today. The atrocities highlighted significant institutional problems across the Army. For example, a damning 1970 U.S. Army War College study exposed numerous morale and careerism problems that contributed to an environment whereby more My Lai events were possible. How did the institution respond, shaping the meaning of the Army as a profession today?     Richard Lacquement is Dean of the School 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 authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Unidentified Vietnamese bodies on a road. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Ronald Haeberle

Stumbling block number one: You start to believe the hype. ... Two: You somehow start to think you deserve it, as opposed to think that you've still got to hustle. WAR ROOM welcomes Dr. Rebecca Johnson to discuss her perspectives on strategic leadership as Dean of Academics at the Marine Corps University. Having witnessed many officers and civilians graduate from senior service college, Dr. Johnson reflects on the challenges of transitioning to senior leadership in the military. Her discussion includes some pitfalls and common traps, avoiding them, and staying focused on improving their organizations and the people within them. WAR ROOM Social Media Editor Buck Haberichter moderates.     Rebecca Johnson is the Dean of Academics at the Marine Corps University. Buck Haberichter is the WAR ROOM Social Media Editor. 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: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Other Releases in the "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