Irregular Warfare Initiative

💡In September, the Irregular Warfare Initiative invited readers to contribute fresh, pragmatic, and non-partisan #policyrecommendations to help shape the next administration’s approach to these threats. In our first article, Connor Christensen calls for the US military to incorporate ANASOC veterans into its #specialoperations ranks. 🌍 As the US continues to adapt to an evolving global security landscape, the experience and capabilities of former Afghan Special Forces present a unique opportunity. 💬 "Integrating ANASOC veterans into US military and strategic roles is a #strategicopportunity to strengthen the DoD’s #irregularwarfare capabilities in critical regions such as Central and South Asia, and the #MiddleEast. Their unmatched #combat experience, cultural fluency, and specialized training make ANASOC veterans vital assets for addressing challenges posed by #Iran, #China, #Russia, and #Pakistan." Christensen offers a policy blueprint that would integrate these individuals into US military frameworks as well as reaffirm America’s commitment to its allies. 🔍 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gPbeJhJN #IrregularWarfare #NationalSecurity #AfghanSpecialForces #DefenseInnovation #GlobalPartnerships

📢 For those who prefer to listen while commuting, here is our Short of War audio version of "Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned, Paths Forward" published essays! 🗡️ 🎧 https://lnkd.in/e6-pUf-u Irregular Warfare Initiative #Podcast #InsiderShortofWar #LessonsLearned #2024WrapUp #IW #IWI #ShortofWar

If you plan on conducting irregular warfare (or any warfare really) in a foreign country this year, make it a resolution to talk to a Foreign Area Officer before you start! Want to know why? Check out Albert "Jim" Marckwardt and I on the Irregular Warfare Initiative podcast. https://lnkd.in/grvXDheJ

⭐ Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2024 ⭐ We’re thrilled to highlight our top 10 most read articles. This year has brought remarkable insights into irregular warfare, strategic competition, and unconventional tactics shaping the strategic environment. Here’s what resonated most with our audience: 1. Russian Electronic Warfare: From History to the Modern Battlefield: https://lnkd.in/gSvZZyDX 2. Harnessing Insurgent and Narco-Criminal Drone Tactics for Special Operations: https://lnkd.in/gXRagivZ 3. A Full Spectrum of Conflict Design: How Doctrine Should Embrace Irregular Warfare: https://lnkd.in/e8zaCqwy 4. I Want to Live: Psychological Warfare for the Modern Era: https://lnkd.in/eqNqhdde 5. The Wagner Group’s Use of Chinese Space Intelligence: https://lnkd.in/e_cxWBDE 6. Eroding Global Stability: The Cybersecurity Strategies of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran: https://lnkd.in/eMhEpVSz 7. Irregular Warfare at Sea: Using Privateers to Seize Chinese Commerce: https://lnkd.in/gE6GHZsy 8. Arctic Defense: The US Needs Polar Special Operations Forces Aligned With the 5 SOF Truths: https://lnkd.in/gkjPtRY3 9. Bridging the Gap: Why Conventional Forces Need Irregular Warfare Training: https://lnkd.in/dbTuPd3b 10. The Age of Decentralized Information Warfare is Here: https://lnkd.in/gBfjFF_Y

📢 New from IWI Executive Director Guido Torres: Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned & Paths Forward 🌍 "The global security environment in 2024 proved as unpredictable as ever—yet, beneath the headlines, several clear themes and patterns emerged. A review of our articles published throughout the year reveals deeper insights into how irregular warfare is evolving across multiple fronts, from the Indo-Pacific to the Sahel, and from space to the bottom of the sea. This was not a year of singular, decisive battles but of incremental advances and strategic maneuvering in unconventional ways." Key takeaways include: 🔹 The transformative power of technology 🔹 The weaponization of narratives and perception 🔹 The critical importance of shared legitimacy in partnerships 🔹 The growing role of gray zone tactics in great power rivalries Whether you’re a policymaker, practitioner, or scholar, this article offers valuable reflections on key trends in irregular warfare in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, the challenge will not simply be to respond to these evolving dynamics, but to anticipate and shape them. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7umJwSe 🔄 Join the conversation! What do you think are the most pressing challenges for irregular warfare in the coming year? #IrregularWarfare #NationalSecurity #LessonsLearned #IWI

I’m thrilled to share “Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned, Paths Forward,” now live. 📖 Go check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eCE49ucB This piece draws from insights in over 75 articles published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative in 2024, synthesizing key #lessons and identifying emerging #trends in irregular warfare. From the role of disruptive #technologies to the power of #narratives, and from the importance of #partners to the shadows of the #grayzone, the article highlights the critical shifts shaping modern #conflict. I'd also like to extend a special thank you to Tobias Bernard Switzer, Jacob Ware, Sam Rosenberg, and Kate Espinosa, MPP, for leading our Editorial team with professionalism, and meticulous focus, all while doubling IWI article production from the previous year! To our IWI community, thanks for all the contributions and support in 2024, your thoughts and feedback are invaluable to us. Now, to 2025! #IrregularWarfare #DefenseStrategy #SecurityStrategy #InnovationInWarfare #perceptions #drones #artificialintelligence #IW #scholars #practitioners #policymakers #resilience #cyber #space #strategiccompetition #informationoperations Kyle Atwell Lisa Munde Jennifer Walters Janna Mantua, PhD Matthew Flug Benjamin Jebb Alexandra Veyne Kate Espinosa, MPP Tobias Bernard Switzer Eric Hanson Alex Deep Hannah Smith Quentin Arnold Rick Newton, PhD Dr. Olga R. Chiriac Christopher "Chris" Booth Jorge Delgado Golusda

Happy New Year, 2025! 🎉 As the calendar turns, the Irregular Warfare Initiative is excited to embark on another incredible year of #growth, #impact, and #collaboration. 🌎 💡 From breaking down complex irregular topics to amplifying the voices shaping national security. What’s ahead in 2025? 💡 Fresh insights from global experts 📚 Groundbreaking articles and research 📡 Dynamic special projects tackling the toughest strategic challenges 🤝 Events and engagements designed to connect and inspire Thank you to our amazing #volunteers & #community for being part of the journey. 2025 will undoubtedly see some major waves in the world of #strategy, #security, and #innovation. 🌊💪 👀 Stay tuned and join us in shaping the conversation around irregular warfare this year! 📌 Let us know in the comments: What topics or #trends do YOU want to see us explore in 2025? 🗡️ Here’s to another year of learning, leading, and keeping warfare irregular. 🚀 Janna Mantua, PhD Benjamin Jebb Matthew Flug Eric Hanson Alexandra Veyne Hannah Smith Quentin Arnold Peter Burns Alex Deep Kate Espinosa, MPP Tobias Bernard Switzer Jacob Ware Matt Kuhlman Doug Livermore Nolan M. Jorge Delgado Golusda Cliff “SCAR” Lucas Don Edwards Margaret Smith, Ph.D. Jacqueline Davenport, MBA Dr. Olga R. Chiriac Walker D. Mills Christopher "Chris" Booth Vladimir Rauta Alexandra Chinchilla Rick Newton, PhD Kerry Chávez Adam DS Andrew Maher, PhD Kyle Atwell Lisa Munde Jennifer Walters Sam Winter-Levy Shawna Sinnott Laura Jones Umar Ahmed Badami #HappyNewYear #IrregularWarfare #podcast #editorial #events #journal #specialprojects #research #IW #scholar #practitioner #policymaker #research #StrategicCompetition #Innovation #NationalSecurity #DefenseStrategy #IWI2025

🚨 Exciting Announcement from the Irregular Warfare Initiative! 🚨 We’re thrilled to introduce our 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative Fellows—an outstanding group of 25 professionals selected from our most competitive applicant pool to date. 🔍 Who Are They? • Experts from the public, private, and academic sectors • Passionate practitioners and scholars dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of irregular warfare 🌍 Impact: • These Fellows will contribute groundbreaking insights and innovative approaches to irregular warfare and international security • Their work will shape the future of this vital field 🤝 Join the Conversation: • Connect with our Fellows and engage in meaningful dialogue • Let’s work together to expand our collective understanding of irregular warfare! Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Fellows on their selection. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to collaborate! #IrregularWarfare Moises E. Juliao, Jon Armstrong, Jennifer Dickson, Brian Kerg, Erin Scanlon, MPM, Rick Chersicla, Susan Bryant, Meg Tapia, Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Alexander Biegalski, James Siebens, Dr. Joseph Long, Pieter Zhao, Pieter Balcaen, Marshall McGurk, Whitney Grespin, Matt Kuhlman, Fola Aina, Noel Anderson, James JB Park, Gregory Seese, Psy.D., Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Katharine Petrich, Benjamin Soltisz, Robert Burrell, PhD

🚨 Exciting Announcement from the Irregular Warfare Initiative! 🚨 We’re thrilled to introduce our 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative Fellows—an outstanding group of 25 professionals selected from our most competitive applicant pool to date. 🔍 Who Are They? • Experts from the public, private, and academic sectors • Passionate practitioners and scholars dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of irregular warfare 🌍 Impact: • These Fellows will contribute groundbreaking insights and innovative approaches to irregular warfare and international security • Their work will shape the future of this vital field 🤝 Join the Conversation: • Connect with our Fellows and engage in meaningful dialogue • Let’s work together to expand our collective understanding of irregular warfare! Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Fellows on their selection. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to collaborate! #IrregularWarfare Moises E. Juliao, Jon Armstrong, Jennifer Dickson, Brian Kerg, Erin Scanlon, MPM, Rick Chersicla, Susan Bryant, Meg Tapia, Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Alexander Biegalski, James Siebens, Dr. Joseph Long, Pieter Zhao, Pieter Balcaen, Marshall McGurk, Whitney Grespin, Matt Kuhlman, Fola Aina, Noel Anderson, James JB Park, Gregory Seese, Psy.D., Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Katharine Petrich, Benjamin Soltisz, Robert Burrell, PhD

🎁 Wait… Did You Miss One Gift? 🎁 Check again under the tree! 🎄 There’s one more special gift from IWI that’s still unopened: Episode 121 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast with Don Edwards and Katherine Michaelson! 🎙 Below the Threshold: China’s Strategy of Armed Coercion Discover how China uses military and paramilitary forces to push its territorial claims and the implications for irregular warfare. Insights from: • 🎓 James Siebens, expert on gray zone conflicts. • ⚓ Jimmy Wang, seasoned maritime security strategist. Dive into the intersection of psychological warfare, lawfare, and maritime strategy—and learn how to effectively counter coercion below the conflict threshold. 🎧 Unwrap the episode now: https://lnkd.in/gFatGvgY 💬 What are your thoughts on deterrence strategies in the Indo-Pacific? Let’s discuss below! #IrregularWarfare #Podcast #China #IndoPacific #NationalSecurity #Strategy