Insider: Short of War

Preparedness and Parallels: Lessons in Crisis Preparedness from Sweden and Latin America

This podcast episode explores how Sweden’s civil defense handbook and Latin America’s disaster response strategies reveal critical lessons in national crisis preparedness. From irregular warfare awareness to community-based drills, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in security, resilience, and public policy.

Putting Operation Spider’s Web in Context

In this podcast episode, we explore the long history of airfield raids and drone warfare, pushing back against the notion that modern tech revolutionizes war. Drawing on examples from WWII to the war in Ukraine, this article-turned-audio examines why understanding historical context is essential for grasping today’s military dynamics.

Once Upon a Proxy War: Chinese Support to the People’s Army of Vietnam

In this episode, we explore China’s indirect approach to the First Indochina War through Xiaobing Li’s Building Ho’s Army, analyzing how Beijing trained, armed, and advised North Vietnamese forces to defeat the French. The discussion dives into the strategic context of China's geostrategic encirclement, the PLA's pivotal role in military advising, and how this historical example shapes our understanding of Chinese power projection today.

The Balkans Model & Conditions for Peace in Ukraine

In this episode, we explore how historical lessons from the Balkan wars can inform Ukraine’s struggle for peace amid Russia’s hybrid warfare. We break down why irregular warfare—not just legal agreements—must guide any future resolution, and what steps Ukraine and its allies can take to build lasting resilience and sovereignty.

Influence by Design: Reassessing U.S. Military Advising

This podcast explores why U.S. military advising missions succeed or fail, drawing on Frank Sobchak’s in-depth case studies from El Salvador to Afghanistan. We examine key variables such as advisor relationships, mission design, and institutional reform. Whether you're a policy expert or a military professional, this episode breaks down critical lessons for future advising efforts.

Does China’s Growing Security Outreach Matter? Tracing Implications for Irregular Warfare and U.S. Security Cooperation

This episode explores “security hybridization,” a growing global trend where states engage both the U.S. and China for different types of security support. We examine how this dual cooperation shapes policy, highlights contrasting approaches to internal versus external threats, and raises implications for practitioners working in irregular warfare and security force assistance.

Winning Without Fighting: Resilience as National Security Imperative

In this narrated article, we explore the major themes of Winning Without Fighting, a book that challenges traditional U.S. national security thinking. The authors argue for a new strategic approach rooted in long-term competition and national resilience in the face of global shocks like pandemics and climate disasters. From critiques of strategic culture to actionable recommendations on information warfare and resilience building, this podcast provides a timely breakdown of how the U.S. can remain competitive in a crisis-prone world.

Streamlining US Army Security Cooperation: Why Coordination is Key to Global Influence

In this episode, we explore how disjointed Army Security Cooperation efforts—across SFABs, ARSOF, and SPP—are missing the mark. From command silos to overlapping missions, we unpack why better coordination is critical to building lasting partnerships and deterring adversaries. Learn about three powerful structural fixes that could unleash the full potential of the Army’s global engagements.

Hostile Influencing and Finland’s Vulnerabilities

This episode explores Finland's struggle against escalating hybrid threats, including Russian GPS jamming, disinformation, and democratic vulnerabilities. Tune in for insights on national resilience, freedom of expression, and what other NATO countries can learn from Finland’s evolving security landscape.

Waterborne Assault: A Constant in Both Irregular and Conventional War

In this episode, we examine overlooked amphibious and riverine operations in irregular warfare, from French Indochina to modern Syria. Discover how waterborne missions have shaped—and continue to shape—conflict across centuries and why Western militaries must rethink their force design assumptions.