Recent Publications

“Avoiding the Escalatory Trap: Managing Escalation During the Israel-Hamas War”
November 6, 2024 — In this episode, Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff, interim director of the Strategic Studies Institute at the US Army War College, discusses his work on managing escalation during the Israel-Hamas War. The conversation covers the complexities of Israel’s deterrence strategies, the proposed ceasefire, and the implications of Hamas’ potential power dynamics akin to Hezbollah. Pfaff highlights the delicate balance required in deterring Iranian support for Hamas and the importance ... MORE

Decisive Point Podcast 5-25 | C. Anthony Pfaff

“The Challenges of Next-Gen Insurgency”
November 5, 2024 — In this episode, Steven Metz discusses his article, “The Challenges of Next-Gen Insurgency,” which was published in the Autumn 2024 issue of Parameters. We discuss how generational conflict may drive future insurgencies, particularly tensions between youth and older generations fueled by frustration and radical ideologies... MORE

America and the International Order
October 30, 2024 — In this episode, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges (US Army, retired) discusses America’s role in the international order. The podcast covers the Russia-Ukraine War and what it means for NATO, maintaining stability in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, strategic competition between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific, the economic and technological competition between the United States and China, South America and immigration, North Korea, and more. ... MORE

Conversations on Strategy Podcast – Ep 53 – LTG Ben Hodges (US Army, retired) – America and the International Order

“Operating Successfully Within the Bureaucracy Domain of Warfare: Part Two”
October 29, 2024 — In this episode, Dr. Jeff McManus discusses his article, “Operating Successfully Within the Bureaucracy Domain of Warfare: Part Two.” He addresses seven key fundamentals for navigating bureaucracy, emphasizing the importance of principles, perspective, and prediction in policy making. McManus highlights effective persuasion strategies, the role of privacy in building trust, and how programming... MORE

Exploring Strategic Culture
October 23, 2024 — This episode delves into the concept of strategic culture and how it influences international relations, military strategy, and deterrence, particularly between the United States, China, and Russia. Dr. Scobell and Dr. Kuznar share insights from their extensive research and highlight the nuances of strategic culture in peacetime, crisis, and conflict scenarios. ... MORE

“The Military and the Election: Thinking Through Retired Flag Officer Endorsements”
October 23, 2024 — With the 2024 US presidential election fast approaching, Dr. Carrie A. Lee takes on the topic of retired flag officer endorsements and political campaigns and how public servant endorsements influence public trust in the military. Is there a way for active duty and retired military servicemembers to navigate their roles in political discourse without undermining ... ... MORE

Military Review and The Harding Project
October 16, 2024 — In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griffiths, Colonel Todd Schmidt, and Major Brennan Deveraux from the Harding Project and Army University Press discuss the how-to edition of Military Review, including the initiative’s goal to enhance professional military writing by providing essential guidelines and resources for Army units. Griffiths highlights... MORE

LTC Zachary Griffiths, COL Todd Schmidt, and MAJ Brennan Deveraux – Military Review and The Harding Project

“Exploring the Nexus of Military and Society at a 50-Year Milestone”
October 7, 2024 — In this episode, Patricia M. Shields, a Regents Professor at Texas State University, discusses the evolving dynamics between military institutions and civilian society over the last 50 years. She explores key themes such as recruitment strategies, veteran welfare, and the impacts of pivotal events like the Vietnam War and 9/11 on civil-military relations... MORE

“Exploring the Nexus of Military and Society at a 50-Year Milestone” | Patricia M. Shields

2024 Annual Estimate of the Strategic Security Environment (Podcast)
October 2, 2024 — This episode will be posted soon... MORE

COVER Conversations on Strategy Podcast – Ep 49 – Darrin L. Frye – “Nanoweaponry and the Resolution Revolution: Making Danger Invisible”

“Introduction to the US Army War College Civil-Military Relations Center”
October 1, 2024 — The United States is experiencing an era characterized by civil-military tension and conflict. From the increasing politicization of the military, to declining public trust in the military and the recruiting crisis, to the erosion of norms meant to protect civilian control to a perceived lack of accountability within the profession, healthy civil-military relations in America today are under assault... MORE

Carrie A. Lee – “Introduction to the US Army War College Civil-Military Relations Center”

“A Baseline Assessment of the PLA Army's Border Reinforcement Operations in the Aksai Chin”
September 24, 2024 — In episode 18 of CLSC Dialogues, Josh Arostegui interviews prominent China expert Dennis Blasko on his analysis of PLA Army and Boader Defense Unit activity along the Line of Actual Control between China and India. He describes the development of infrastructure that allows the PLA to maintain a more robust forward presence. He further describes... MORE

CLSC Dialogues Ep 18 – Josh Arostegui and Dennis Blasko – “A Baseline Assessment of the PLA Army's Border Reinforcement Operations in the Aksai Chin”

“Professional Discourse Is Shaping the Force”
September 24, 2024 — In this episode, Majors Brennan Devereaux and Cliff R. Parsons discuss the influence of professional military writing on strategy and decision making. Devereaux previews his article on military discourse, while Parsons discusses his recent work on deterring Russian nuclear threats. They touch on collaborative writing and the significance... MORE

MAJ Brennan Deveraux and MAJ Cliff R. Parsons
“Professional Discourse Is Shaping the Force”