A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

Films can bring to life war's battles, leaders, examples of strategic decisions, and examples of less successful strategic decisions. As Mark Gagnon and Jacqueline E. Whitt show in this presentation, there are many ways that films can be used in professional military education. From learning about strategic decisions and their impacts to broadening the world views and perspectives, films help viewers visualize the dynamics and complexity of strategic environments better than other media. For example, the U.S. Army War College's Strategic Art Film Program provides a terrific forum for students and faculty to view a film and discuss both its context and lessons learned for today's military. Also on WAR ROOM is an article about the classic film Tunes of Glory, an example of such a film with important insights and lessons for today's leaders.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-043-Gagnon-Whitt-Film-and-Strategy-RLS-v3.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Mark Gagnon is a colonel in the U.S. Army and Professor of German in the Department of Foreign Languages at the U.S. Military Academy. 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 represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Image: Still from All's Quiet on the Western Front, an anti-war film from 1930 that won the Academy Awards for Outstanding Production and Best Director (Lewis Milestone). Film is now in the public domain.

There's an old saying, "Command can be lonely." But it doesn't have to be. WAR ROOM welcomes Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army and Commander of the Australian Defense College to the studio to discuss matters of strategic leadership in conjunction with the U.S. Army War College's annual Strategy Conference. What separates successful strategic leaders from the less successful? WAR ROOM Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates. Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army, is the Commander of the Australian Defence 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 program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, Australian Army, or the Department of Defense. Photo Credit: Australian National Audit Agency Releases from 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 LEADERWHAT DO THE BRITS THINK OF AMERICAN OFFICERS?PERSPECTIVES ON STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP — GEN. ROBIN RAND, U.S. AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMANDGROWING AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING CAPACITY

You assume professional competence at [the strategic] level, ... but the more senior you get in the armed forces or defense, the more you are looking for issues of character. WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Lieutenant-General Patrick Sanders CBE, DSO of the British Army, who addressed the 2018 resident class of the U.S. Army War College as part of the annual Kermit Roosevelt Exchange Lecture series. In this discussion, Lieutenant-General Sanders presents a British perspective on senior military leadership and success at the national strategic level. A fascinating discussion loaded with British history and perspectives on qualities of successful American officers. WAR ROOM Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-044-Sanders-Whitt-Senior-Leader-Perspectives_FIX.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Lieutenant-General Patrick Sanders CBE, DSO serves as the Commander Field Army in the British Army and was the United Kingdom's lecturer for the 2018 edition of the Kermit Roosevelt Exchange program. Jacqueline E. Whitt is WAR ROOM's 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: Portrait of Kermit Roosevelt from the Library of Congress. Public domain. Image Credit: Tom Galvin Releases from 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

It is difficult to describe just the unbelievable amount of destruction that Syria has gone through... since 2011.   WAR ROOM welcomes Dean of the U.S. Air War College Christopher Hemmer to the studio to explain the historical and present-day contexts of the on-going civil war in Syria. With possibly over 500,000 killed and untold destruction, it is easily one of the bloodiest wars in recent times. What are the factors fueling the war? Why has it drawn so much international attention? What can be done to stop it? These and many other questions are addressed with the assistance of WAR ROOM podcast editor and Professor of Strategy Jacqueline E. Whitt.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-056-Hemmer-Whitt-Syria.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Christopher Hemmer is Dean of the U.S. Air War College and expert on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. 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, Air War College, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense. Photo: A veteran Syrian Democratic Forces soldier teaches a group of recruits about improvised explosive devices in Northern Syria on Oct. 10, 2017. Photo Credit: Staff Sergeant Richard Lutz/US Army

One in five people on the planet by 2050 will be an African. One in ten will be a Nigerian. You have tremendous potential. ... And it all depends on one thing. It's a question of governance. With North Korea and other national security challenges dominating headlines, Africa is garnering less attention than before. So what are the important interests that the U.S. has with Africa today? And what interests do Africans have nowadays with the U.S.? To answer these and other questions, WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Ambassador (Retired) Phil Carter. Ambassador is the former Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement of U.S. Africa Command and former U.S. Ambassador to Guinea and Ivory Coast. U.S. Army War College Director of African Studies Chris Wyatt moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-025-Carter-Wyatt-US-Africa-in-21st-Century.mp3 You may also download the podcast here.   Ambassador (Retired) Phil Carter is the former Deputy to the Commander for civil-military engagement of U.S. Africa Command and former U.S. Ambassador to Guinea and Ivory Coast. Chris Wyatt is a colonel in the U.S. Army and serves as 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 Department of Defense. Photo: A Senegalese soldier with 1st Paratrooper Battalion carries an 81mm mortar tube during a patrol July 22, 2016 in Thies, Senegal as part of Africa Readiness Training 16. ART16 is a U.S. Army Africa exercise designed to increase U.S. and Senegalese readiness and partnership through combined infantry training and live-fire events. Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt/U.S. Army

The United States says over and over that the U.S. supports a rules-based international order but is not party to one of the most important rules-based [international treaties]. The United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea is an important international agreement from the 1970s that establishes the rights and responsibilities of States engaging in any maritime activity. 164 United Nations Member States have signed and ratified the treaty. Meanwhile, the United States signed it in 1994, but has never ratified it. What is the treaty? What are its provisions? What does the US object to, and what are the implications of this decision? U.S. Army War College professors Al Lord and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss.     Al Lord is a retired Captain from the U.S. Navy and serves as Professor of Theater Planning at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and WAR ROOM's podcast editor. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard/U.S. Navy

How should Europe respond to a US that might be pivoting away or might not see Europe as useful anymore? There's a number of camps, one might say. The relationship between US and Europe has faced many stresses and strains over the years, especially in present times as European leaders debate over the transatlantic partnership. Thus, WAR ROOM is pleased to welcome to the studio special guest Peter Sparding, a transatlantic fellow in the Washington office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. As the US faces increased competition from other regions of the world, whither Europe? And what does Europe have to say about the US?     You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Peter Sparding is a transatlantic fellow in the Washington office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where he works on foreign and economic policy developments in the United States and Europe. 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: NATO

We need to consider what's important here. We need to worry ... a lot more about protecting our allies Japan and the Republic of Korea. WAR ROOM welcomes Wallace "Chip" Gregson (Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Retired), former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and former Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific to discuss the current and future relations between Japan and the U.S. and other issues of the Asian-Pacific Region. The long-standing friendship between U.S. and Japan remains vital as Japan reconsiders its military posture under the emergence of North Korea, China, and other regional competitors and challenges. What are U.S. options to keep this alliance strong in the years ahead? https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-027-Gregson-Greene-Japan-US-Relations.mp3   You may also download a copy of the podcast here   Wallace "Chip" Gregson (Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Retired) is a former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and former Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. Ray Greene is a career foreign service officer with the Department of State specializing in the Asia-Pacific Region and a faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this warcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: U.S. Air Force Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, right, Pacific Air Forces commander, greets Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, center, JASDF chief of staff, upon the arrival of attendees on day two of the 2017 Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kamaile Casillas

The direction that Latin America takes is going to be, of course, up to the people of the region, but the region could look quite differently a year from now. WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Washington Office from the Council of the Americas, to discuss Latin American relationships with the U.S. Among the topics discussed are the North American Free Trade Agreement, Venezuela's political situation, Brazil's economic development, and the peace agreement in Colombia. Meanwhile, the U.S.'s role in the region is changing as other world powers are taking active interest, especially China. U.S. Army War College Director of American Studies Ian Lyles moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-026-Farnsworth-Lyles-Latin-American-Security.mp3   You may also download a copy of the podcast here.   Eric Farnsworth is the Vice President and Head of the Washington Office, Americas Society and Council of the Americas. Ian Lyles is a colonel in the U.S. Army and serves as the Director of Americas Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this warcast 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:  The Colombian team stands in formation and renders honors during the opening ceremony for Fuerzas Comando 2014 on Fort Tolemaida, Colombia, July 23, 2014 (Department of Defense Photo).

If [President Mnangagwa] wants a genuine legacy of someone who has restored Zimbabwe to great prominence, he has an opportunity here, but ... they have to show us. The elections in South Africa signal a potential turning point in the nation's politics. Since of end of apartheid, the Africa National Congress, or ANC, has been the dominant party both politically and symbolically with Nelson Mandela being the first President of the newly-integrated nation. However, due to systemic corruption and other problems, the ANC is facing growing competition from other parties for the first time. What does this mean for the nation as national elections approach. Join Dan Hampton from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies and the Army War College's Director of African Studies Chris Wyatt as the as they discuss South Africa's present and future.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-029-Hampton-Wyatt-South-Africa-Elections-NEW-INTRO.mp3   You can also download the podcast here.   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. Photo: A woman looks at documents as she gets ready to cast her ballot during municipal elections at a polling station on August 3, 2016 in Soweto's Freedom Park, South Africa. Photo Credit: JOHN WESSELS/AFP/Getty Images