Irregular Warfare Podcast

Adam Fife, CEO of CenCore, discusses the nuances of Chinese debt-trap diplomacy and its implications for infrastructure security. Leland Lazarus, a Principal at Lazarus Consulting, argues that China's economic tactics operate as a form of irregular warfare, creating dependencies that can be weaponized. Dr. Evan Ellis, a professor at the U.S. Army War College, highlights the peacetime and wartime risks posed by China's growing influence in Latin America, urging a strategic U.S. response to counter these threats.

Major General Jeff VanAntwerp, the Commander of Special Operations Command–Pacific, and futurist August Cole dive into the challenges of future warfare. They discuss Cole’s short story, envisioning U.S. Special Operations advising a new Thai commando unit against Chinese-backed forces. The conversation highlights the critical role of technology like AI and robotics, while emphasizing that trust and adaptability are timeless values in special operations. They also explore the importance of guiding partners remotely and the need for innovative problem-solving skills.

In this discussion, Dr. Philip A. Martin, an expert in political violence and civil wars, teams up with Brigadier General Allen J. Pepper, a seasoned commander familiar with African conflicts. They delve into the puzzling aftermath of victorious rebel groups, exploring why some maintain loyalty to new governments while others rebel again. The conversation reveals how wartime experiences shape military cohesion and the pitfalls of power-sharing. They also highlight the complexities of external assistance and its effects on post-conflict stability, offering insightful recommendations for policymakers.

Join Major General Peter Huntley, commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command, and August Cole, author and futurist, as they delve into the future of warfare. They discuss how Marine Raiders will adapt to the challenges of proxy terrorism and AI-enabled surveillance. The conversation highlights the balance between advanced technology and essential human skills like trust and leadership. Listeners will also hear an immersive excerpt from Cole's narrative, showcasing the complexities Raiders may face in 2040.

Episode 134 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the rising risks of conflict over Taiwan and how the United States and its allies can strengthen deterrence against Beijing. Our guests begin by assessing why deterrence is faltering globally, from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how those events inform Chinese perceptions of American resolve. They then discuss the stakes of a Taiwan contingency—economic, ideological, and strategic—highlighting the island’s critical role in global semiconductor supply chains and as a thriving democracy on China’s periphery. The conversation turns to the balance of forces across the Strait, Taiwan’s defense culture, and the full spectrum of Chinese coercive activity, from gray-zone operations to potential military invasion. Finally, our guests offer recommendations for how Taiwan, the United States, and partners like Japan, Australia, and Europe can bolster deterrence before conflict breaks out. Matt Pottinger is a distinguished national security professional who served as U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor from 2019 to 2021. He is the editor of The Boiling Moat, a new volume analyzing deterrence and security dynamics across the Taiwan Strait. Matt Turpin is a former U.S. National Security Council Director for China and a retired U.S. Army officer. He is currently a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, where his research focuses on U.S.-China relations and strategic competition. Ben Jebb and Katherine Michaelson are the hosts for this episode. Please reach out to Ben and Katherine with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.

Rebecca Patterson, an expert in international affairs from Georgetown University, and David W. Barno, a former Army general now at Johns Hopkins, dive into how the U.S. can leverage non-military tools to compete globally. They discuss integrating economic and informational strategies, critiquing U.S. national security approaches, and highlighting the importance of 'resilient interdependence.' Their insights reveal underused economic instruments that could enhance America's positioning against rivals, stressing the need for coordinated efforts against disinformation and unconventional threats.

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.

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.

Sheena Chestnut Greitens, a scholar at the University of Texas focusing on authoritarian politics and security studies, and Jon Finer, former Deputy National Security Advisor, delve into the concept of "security hybridization." They discuss the simultaneous security assistance from the U.S. and China, illustrating how nations like Vietnam and Hungary navigate this dual approach. The conversation sheds light on the implications for global security partnerships and highlights the challenges the U.S. faces as it tries to compete with China's rapid support to resource-strapped countries.

Join Kip Kahler, a former Senior Defense Official in Ukraine, Brian Petit, a retired SF Army officer, and Kateryna Bondar, a CSIS fellow and advisor to Ukraine, as they dive into Operation Spider’s Web. They discuss Ukraine’s groundbreaking drone strategy, the innovative use of FPV drones, and how this operation is shifting paradigms in asymmetric warfare. Key points include the implications of disrupting Russian operations, the psychological impact on the Kremlin, and the importance of adapting military strategies in response to modern threats.