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by Irregular Warfare Initiative
Welcome to the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Insider: Short of War, where IWI transforms its thought provoking articles into compelling audio pieces. Our podcast bridges the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary on the dynamic world of irregular warfare. Stay informed and engaged with the latest insights from leading voices in the field, right at your fingertips.
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Join us for a focused deep dive into the complex strategic dynamics of US security partnerships. Drawing from the article "Are US Security Partnerships Poisoned Chalices? Implications for US Strategy," this episode unpacks the theory of intertwined security dilemmas, examines why extending military assistance to misaligned regimes can invite adversary subversion, and outlines how Washington can revitalize partner reliability without risking entrapment.
In this deep dive discussion, we explore the critical concept of cognitive coherence in irregular warfare. Drawing on case studies from the fall of the Afghan National Security Forces to the evolving conflict dynamics in Colombia, this episode unpacks why tactical military dominance is rarely enough to secure long-term victory. Tune in to understand how aligning military action, institutional messaging, and cultural expectations can make or break a campaign, and check out the full article at the Irregular Warfare Initiative.
In this episode based on the article "Defense industrial mobilization needs more than startups and drones," we examine the balance between emerging defense tech startups and foundational procurement institutions. We explore why cheap drones and venture capital are insufficient for sustaining long-term military capability, analyze recent policy trends across major and middle powers, and discuss practical acquisition reforms for resource-constrained states.
In this deep-dive episode, we explore how Russian illicit finance has evolved into the operational backbone of Moscow’s irregular warfare strategy. From Bulgarian spy rings in English seaside towns to crypto-fueled sabotage gig-economy schemes across Europe, we break down how state intelligence services leverage criminal laundromats, stablecoins, and non-state actors to bypass Western sanctions. Tune in to understand why following the money is the key to disrupting Russia’s modern shadow war.
Explore how Ukraine is converting years of high-intensity counter-UAS combat into powerful diplomatic, economic, and strategic leverage. In this deep dive, we break down the operational lessons learned from Iranian-designed drone swarms, the defense foresight gaps facing Western militaries, and how Kyiv's cost-effective defense innovations are creating new global security partnerships from Europe to the Gulf.
In this deep dive episode, we examine the evolution of global terrorism a quarter-century after September 11. Despite decades of U.S. counterterrorism pressure, al-Qaeda and its global affiliates are reconstituting, expanding their reach, and continuing to influence Western political dynamics. We break down the group's global footprint, its ideological resilience, and why the United States cannot afford to look away from the region.
In this deep-dive episode, we unpack the structural dynamics of irregular warfare partner forces through the historical lens of 18th-century French-Canadian partisans and their sovereign Indigenous allies. Moving beyond the popular military legacy of Rogers' Rangers, we examine why local legitimacy, mutual interest alignment, and lateral accountability dictate partner force success far more than material capability or tactical training. We also explore modern parallels—including the Afghan Local Police program—to illustrate why field-level tactical triumphs inevitably crumble when external strategic political frameworks collapse.
In this episode, we unpack the strategic potential of asymmetric maritime warfare across Southeast Asia's maritime chokepoints. Analyzing lessons from recent low-cost drone operations and sea-line interdictions, this deep dive explores how uncrewed surface vehicles, partner network integration, and tailored operational pathways can disrupt supply lines and impose disproportionate costs on major adversaries in a protracted Pacific conflict.
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Welcome to the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Insider: Short of War, where IWI transforms its thought provoking articles into compelling audio pieces. Our podcast bridges the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary on the dynamic world of irregular warfare. Stay informed and engaged with the latest insights from leading voices in the field, right at your fingertips.
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