What War Teaches Us—If We Survive It

The current geopolitical situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz serves as the backdrop for a broader examination of military leadership, resilience, and the realities of combat. John Spencer, Chair of War Studies at the Madison Policy Forum, analyzes the effectiveness of U.S. economic and military strategies in the region, noting that while the Strait of Hormuz remains a point of contention, its strategic relevance is diminishing due to infrastructure shifts. The conversation transitions into a candid reflection on Spencer’s memoir, *Twenty Times I Almost Died*, highlighting the necessity of humility and common sense in leadership. Through personal anecdotes—including a formative bar fight and high-stakes IED encounters in Iraq—Spencer illustrates how young officers must navigate moral dilemmas, rely on intuition, and embrace the collective nature of military service to overcome systemic failures and survive in unpredictable environments.