Discussing the history and development of intelligence capabilities in irregular warfare, focusing on partnerships between US SOF and the CIA. They explore enablers' critical role, challenges in inter-unit coordination, JAGs' importance in compliance, and the future of intelligence collection. Emphasizing adaptability, teamwork, and innovation to succeed in irregular warfare.

Exploring Cold War lessons for today's strategic competition, guests discuss the role of irregular conflicts, battlegrounds between great powers, and recommendations for policymakers. Topics include competencies in training partner forces, fragile states, and the challenges posed by China's resources. The podcast also explores academia and government service in conflict studies, the intersection of irregular warfare and great power competition, and the interconnectedness of fragile states and global strategic competition.

Experts discuss how special operations forces disrupt adversaries by disrupting critical elements, leveraging unique capabilities in peacetime and combat operations. They highlight interagency cooperation challenges and the importance of deterrence through irregular warfare. The podcast explores historical and contemporary uses of SOF to impose costs on adversaries and create strategic advantages, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and intelligence sharing.

Exploring the complexities of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration for ex-combatants, including success stories from Mexico and Niger. Discussing community-centric DDR strategies and the effectiveness of third-generation DDR interventions in reducing violence worldwide.

Delving into covert and clandestine operations, the podcast explores challenges in translating irregular warfare into policies, contrasts covert and overt actions, and discusses tensions between military and civilian leaders in managing covert programs. It also analyzes deterrence in modern warfare, the impact of technology on covert operations, and the struggle of the US to maintain global influence amid shifting power dynamics.

Exploring irregular warfare in space, guests discuss the importance of the space domain, frameworks for space competition, and the role of private industries. They delve into the complexities of space warfare, Guardian Forces, law warfare tactics by China and Russia, and the intersection of commercial space capabilities with irregular warfare. The episode concludes by examining the challenges of private industries in space operations and teases future topics on disarmament in post-conflict societies.

The podcast explores stay behind operations in resistance warfare and their utility in imposing costs on occupying powers. It discusses the factors influencing resistance strategy, building resilience in supply lines, and the relevance of civilian-based resistance. The hosts express gratitude and provide updates on future episodes.

The podcast discusses the theory of armed politics, including the shifting landscape of the international order, challenges of implementation, the impact of rapidly evolving technology, and the roles of the United States and United Kingdom in a world faced with disarray. The topics explored include the political context and the use of force, challenges and considerations in measuring effectiveness and counter-insurgency, the relationship between politics and warfare in different conflict scenarios, the power of allies and partners in competing with China, and America's role as a leader and the importance of strategic confidence.

Explore China's military strategy from 1949 to the present, including the influences of revolutionary roots, technological advancements, and global events. Learn about the challenges and capabilities of Chinese military personnel and the implications of China's militarization of the South China Sea and a possible invasion of Taiwan. Understand the role of motivation, values, and leadership in military operations and the impact of emerging technologies on warfare.

The podcast explores the current state of European defense policy and the trans-Atlantic relationship after two years of war. It discusses the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the region, the importance of engaged American leadership, and the contradictions in US foreign policy. The chapter also highlights the keys to effective diplomacy and defense, emphasizing curiosity, humility, and preparedness. Lastly, it addresses the challenges ahead for Europe-US defense policy, including the fate of Ukraine and the growing alliance against China.