War on the Rocks

What's a Revolution in Military Affairs Good For?

Brothers in Arms, Partners in Healing: A Story about a Breakthrough in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress

A Body Blow? The War on Iran and U.S. Military Readiness

Military readiness hinges on defining specific mission requirements and the capacity to sustain operations against both regional adversaries and great-power competitors. The ongoing conflict with Iran has significantly depleted U.S. munitions stockpiles, particularly ballistic missile defenses like Patriots and THAAD, ...

The Marine Corps' Plan for the Future of Ground Combat

Ground Combat Element 2040 (GCE 2040) provides a strategic framework for the tactical evolution of Marine ground forces over the next 15 years, ensuring the service can effectively compete against peer adversaries. Major General Jason Morris and Colonel Eric Clark, key contributors to the document, emphasize that GCE 2...

Command and Politics in the War Between Moscow and Kyiv

Inside Iran's Wartime Regime

The U.S.-Iran conflict remains in a state of stalemate, characterized by a cycle of episodic escalation and stalled diplomacy. While the U.S. has paused direct strikes, Iran continues to contest the Strait of Hormuz to exert political leverage and secure potential revenue. Recent security appointments in Tehran, includ...

A Life in Army Special Operations, from Desert Storm to the Next War

The future of Army Special Operations hinges on the adaptability and problem-solving capabilities of individual service members rather than technological advancements alone. While innovation and equipment provide critical competitive advantages, the core strength of the force remains the human element—volunteers dedica...

How Ukraine Put Russia on the Backfoot

Ukraine currently holds its most advantageous position since mid-2023, characterized by a successful campaign targeting Russian logistics, air defenses, and energy infrastructure. By utilizing long-range drone strikes, Ukraine has imposed significant dilemmas on Moscow, creating fuel shortages and exposing vulnerabilit...

How a Team of Marines Built the Corps' FPV Drone Training Program from a Cold Start

The Marine Corps has rapidly transformed its FPV drone capabilities, moving from a complete lack of attack drones in October to fielding over 3,500 units within months. Driven by lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and direct guidance from senior leadership, a specialized team at the Weapons Training Battalion in Quan...

Is Time on China's Side? Beijing's Taiwan Calculus and the Balance of Power

What Would Relations with Post-War Russia Look Like?

What Does SOUTHCOM's New Autonomous Warfare Command Herald?

What a Post-Orbán Hungary Means for Hungarians and Europe

Why Do Many Western Defense Tech Firms Struggle in Ukraine?

Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia

The podcast analyzes the ongoing war in Ukraine, focusing on the strategic and technological shifts influenced by drone warfare and the impact of the concurrent war in Iran. It highlights Ukraine's unexpectedly strong performance and increasing drone employment, while Russia has adopted Wagner group's infiltration tact...

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz & Saving Downed Pilots

Indirect Fire in the Global War on Terror and Today

The Arsenal Beneath the Arsenal

The podcast explores the challenges and strategies for strengthening the defense industrial base with Michael Cadenazzi, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Cadenazzi addresses critical issues such as raw material shortages, workforce development, and the need for leadership to solve systemic...

Power, Paranoia, and the People's Liberation Army

The podcast explores the state of China expertise in the U.S. and the implications of recent purges within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). It questions whether the U.S. is adequately training and incentivizing China experts, particularly given current restrictions on access to China. The discussion highlights the s...

The Marines That Led the Evacuation of Afghanistan, Four Years Later