Insider: Short of War

The Pentagon Just Issued New Guidance on Irregular Warfare: What Does It Say and Why Should You Care?

This episode examines the Pentagon’s new irregular warfare instruction—what it says, why it was issued, and how it could reshape U.S. military strategy. We break down the updated definition of irregular warfare, explore its expanded scope across domains like cyber and space, and analyze the practical implications for the services, policymakers, and future conflict.

Review of “The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion” by Colin Freeman

In this episode, IWI's Chris Booth reviews The Mad and the Brave by Colin Freeman—a vivid account of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion. Discover how foreign volunteers shaped the war, the leadership missteps that limited their impact, and what their experiences reveal about modern irregular warfare.

Culture on the Front Line: Building Indo-Pacific Resilience through Cultural Property Protection Training

In this episode, we explore how Cultural Property Protection can serve as a powerful tool of irregular warfare in the Indo-Pacific—strengthening regional resilience, countering illicit trafficking, and building trust through shared heritage and preservation.

Media, Martyrdom, & Manipulation

In this episode, we explore how the Kosovo Liberation Army used propaganda, martyrdom, and media manipulation to shape Western narratives during the Kosovo conflict. Learn how perception management, strategic timing, and emotional storytelling influenced NATO’s decision to intervene and redefined modern warfare’s psychological front.

Kings, Usurpers, and Shadow Wars: Lessons on Irregular Warfare from Shakespeare

In this episode, we explore how Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Julius Caesar, Richard III, and Coriolanus offer surprising insights into the psychology and strategy of irregular warfare. From narrative control to the weaponization of public sentiment, Shakespeare’s dramas reveal how legitimacy, loyalty, and perception shape modern conflict more than firepower ever could.

Proxy Armies and Principal–Agent Problems: A Review of Militias in Eastern Ukraine

In this episode, we explore Martin Laryš’ Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine: From Leaderless Rebellion to Proxy Army. The discussion unpacks how Russia leveraged local militias in the Donbas through principal–agent dynamics, exposing the risks, costs, and fragmentation that shaped the early Russo-Ukrainian War. We examine how weak social ties, decentralization, and opportunistic leadership contributed to the conflict’s volatility and what these lessons reveal about the future of proxy warfare.

Policing the Pacific: How China Expands Influence Where the US Looks for Allies

This episode explores how China expands its influence across the Pacific Islands through policing partnerships rather than military force. We examine Beijing’s growing reach, examples of its law enforcement ties, and why the United States must adapt its engagement strategy to counter these efforts with regional partnerships and information campaigns.

Interwar Adaptations: Leveraging Partner Experiences for Future Conflicts

The War in Ukraine has transformed how nations fight. This episode explores how the U.S. can apply those lessons through the Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP), leveraging Ukrainian combat experience to modernize American doctrine and strengthen interoperability for future conflicts.

Failure Bias in Air Advisory Missions

In this episode, we explore how “failure bias” has influenced U.S. Air Force decisions for decades, leading to the neglect of successful air advisory missions that advanced American strategic interests—from the Philippines to Afghanistan—and what lessons should guide future engagement with allies and partners.

Hezbollah’s Information Warfare in the Post-October 7 Era

This episode explores Hezbollah’s evolving information warfare strategy in the wake of October 7. Drawing on interviews with cyber operatives and experts, it reveals how the group is rebuilding its digital arsenal through AI, cyber operations, and psychological tactics while contending with Israel’s superior technology and intelligence capabilities.