A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast
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450 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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EXQUISITE PROBLEM SOLVERS: SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND NORTH
14 mei 2024 · 32 min
In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, U.S. special operations forces (SOF) rose to the forefront of the American public's consciousness as the right tool for the task in Afghanistan. In the last several decades, there have been many changes to the structure, organization and makeup of SOF. In 2013, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) created Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH), the theater special operations command (TSOC) for USNORTHCOM. In the studio today is Colonel Matthew Tucker, commander SOCNORTH, to explain just why the nation needs a TSOC on its own continent. Matt joins host Tom Spahr to explain how SOF detects, deters and disrupts threats throughout the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility through cooperation with SOF partners in Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. Lees meer
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ON WRITING: MILITARY AUTHORS AND THE HARDING PROJECT
7 mei 2024 · 41 min
Whether putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard, writing clarifies and improves ideas while also allowing those thoughts to be shared with others. But the idea of publishing one's thoughts can be intimidating. Why does it seem so hard to get thoughts down on paper? And how do you approach an editor? How do you even get started? Zach Griffiths and Theo Lipsky are in the studio to explain why you absolutely should share your ideas more widely. They join our Editor-in-Chief, JP Clark, to discuss publishing for professional purposes and the Chief of Staff of the Army's (CSA) Harding Project an effort to renew professional publications, strengthen the profession, and ultimately enhance the warfighting capability of the U.S. Army. Lees meer
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TRANSATLANTIC TWIST: THE EU AS SECURITY PARTNER
30 april 2024 · 33 min
After all these years, many of the intricacies of the European Union remain a bit of a mystery. Even the relatively straightforward aspects of economic, legal, and regulatory union have many nuances of detail. But when it comes to matters of defense, then things get really complicated. What is the role of the EU in relation to both individual states and NATO, to which most but not all EU members also belong? Fortunately, we have an expert guide in Rear Admiral Henning Faltin, the Military Advisor at EU Delegations to the U.S. and to Canada. He joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to help explain what the EU does (and what it does not do) in Europe and around the world. Lees meer
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HORSESHOES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND SHARED UNDERSTANDING: CHESTER NIMITZ'S ART OF COMMAND
26 maart 2024 · 45 min
Ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was named commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT). He was quickly promoted to admiral, and his demonstrated leadership and strategic thought are worthy of in-depth study. Trent Hone has done just that, and his recent book, Mastering the Art of Command: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Victory in the Pacific, is an outstanding read about a fascinating military leader. Trent joins our editor-in-chief, JP Clark, in the studio to discuss the personal traits that made Nimitz effective, the evolution of his headquarters over the course of the war and how he leveraged his personal schedule and routine for success. It's a great discussion and a great read for future flag and general officers or anyone interested in senior leadership. Lees meer
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UNDERSTANDING RUSSIAN CULTURE: JADE McGLYNN (ON WRITING)
19 maart 2024 · 29 min
It's time for another episode in our On Writing series, and joining host Michael Neiberg in the virtual studio is author and Russia specialist Jade McGlynn. Jade is the author of Russia’s War and Memory Makers: The Politics of the Past in Putin’s Russia, and her extensive study of Russian culture offers fantastic insights into Russia and Putin's motives in Ukraine. Their conversation delves into her initial interest in Russia and the academic career that led to a thorough understanding of Russia's actions in Ukraine present day. Lees meer
EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded in October 2023 but due to technical difficulties we were unable to publish until now. It's still as relevant as the day it was recorded.
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TEACHING THE PROFESSIONALS: SHAPING THE PROFESSION
12 maart 2024 · 35 min
General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), has identified four priorities for the service during his tenure: building cohesive teams, delivering ready combat formations, continuous transformation and strengthening the army profession. Today's episode focuses on the profession, and we're pleased to have Allison Abbe and Ron Granieri in the studio to discuss the Army War College's efforts to support the CSA's priorities. They join Editor-in-Chief J.P. Clark to examine both the traditional elements of the profession as well as the adaptations that must occur in light of the changing character of war and an evolving society. Lees meer
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A CONVERSATION WITH THE HONORABLE MELISSA DALTON OF DEFENSE POLICY
5 maart 2024 · 29 min
One of the benefits of being located so close to Washington, D.C., is that the U.S. Army War College has access to some of the nation's most senior leaders. Most recently, the Honorable Melissa Dalton addressed the Homeland Defense Symposium in Carlisle and took time out of her busy schedule to join podcast editor Ron Granieri for an intriguing conversation. Sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs on March 4, 2022, Secretary Dalton currently performs the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. She shares how she found her way to the civil service and the challenges her office faces in pursuit of national defense priorities. Her portfolio includes Indo-Pacific Affairs, International Security Affairs, Space Policy, Special Operations Low-Intensity Conflict and Homeland Defense Hemispheric Affairs. Lees meer
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SOLVING DATA PROBLEMS AT SUPERHUMAN SPEEDS
27 februari 2024 · 38 min
Depending on who you talk to, artificial intelligence (AI) will either be the ruination of mankind or its savior. As ever, the truth is likely somewhere between those extremes. It certainly will be important. For this reason, the Chief of the Staff of the Army (CSA) has charged Dr. Alexander Miller to find the necessary technology and tools so the Army can best understand and uses its masses of data. Alex is the CSA's Senior Advisor for Science and Technology, and he found the time to sit down with guest host Tom Spahr to discuss how the Army is approaching AI, machine learning, and other related technologies. The ultimate goal is to ensure the United States doesn't lose its advantages in decision-making in the intelligence world and on the battlefield. Lees meer
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CHINA'S SHIFTING HISTORY: STEPHEN PLATT (ON WRITING)
21 februari 2024 · 35 min
Understanding the history, or perhaps more importantly, the treatment of history in China, is a critical skill for anyone seeking greater comprehension of the national security arena. Stephen Platt has spent a great deal of his career as a historian and author studying events like the Taiping Civil War and the Opium War in the nineteenth century. During his time researching these topics, he acquired an excellent understanding of culture and history in China, as seen by both the people and the government of China. And now he's in the studio with host Michael Neiberg for another episode in our On Writing series. Their conversation covers Stephen's books Imperial Twilight and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom and how the perception of both historic events and their participants has changed over time in China. Lees meer
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HOPE THEN DISAPPOINTMENT: HISTORICAL PATTERNS FOR THE POST-WAR ARMY
13 februari 2024 · 32 min
There are plenty of studies of armies at war or in pre-war periods as preparations were made for conflict, but the study of post-war armies, specifically the U.S. Army, is far less complete. Fortunately, we happen to know Brian Linn, a renowned scholar of the U.S. Army as an institution and the author of "Real Soldiering: The US Army in the Aftermath of War, 1815–1980", and he's in the studio to discuss his body of research. He joins Editor-in-Chief J.P. Clark for a comprehensive conversation on the Army's behavior after multiple major conflicts in the 19th and 20th centuries. Brian shares his insights about the institution's actions and mindset following successive periods of preparation and execution, always resulting in drawdowns and often leading to the unintended loss and degradation of readiness and warfighting capabilities. Lees meer
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AT THE CENTER OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE: THE LIBRARY PT 2
6 februari 2024 · 28 min
The boxes are unpacked, the books are on the shelves, both real and virtual, and the library is open for business in the new Root Hall at the U.S. Army War College. Greta Braungard and Heather Goyette are back in the studio with podcast host Ron Granieri to talk about everything they do to help students and faculty find the information they need. Whether it's the physical stacks or the digital ones, the new Knowledge Commons is the heart of academic research at the War College, and a great deal of thought has gone into making sure that searchability and accessibility are at the center of its functionality. Greta and Heather share the extensive efforts they and the entire team have taken to ensure that the library meets and exceeds the needs of its patrons, now and for years to come. Lees meer
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WAR FIGHTING, WAR THINKING
23 januari 2024 · 31 min
One of the priorities of U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Randy George is war fighting, particularly the charge to refocus and prioritize efforts that build lethality and cohesive teams. This follows previous guidance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to focus on war fighting, ideally through wargames, and from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to increase the classroom attention devoted to China, the Department of Defense's pacing challenge. Zenel Garcia and Tom Spahr join podcast host Ron Granieri to discuss how the Army War College has adapted its curriculum to incorporate all that guidance and to better prepare graduates. The class of 2024 is the first to experience the newly designed China Integrated Course, which combines discussions of Chinese history, politics and strategy with a practical war-fighting exercise to cap off the core curriculum. Lees meer
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A CONSENSUAL HALLUCINATION: THE U.S. DOLLAR'S WORLD ROLE
9 januari 2024 · 36 min
An exorbitant privilege. That is what French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing called the U.S. dollar's role as the global international reserve currency. That role brings many advantages but is it sustainable and worth any costs? What would it take for an alternative to emerge? The raising of the debt ceiling, the rise of China as a financial power and recent troubled economic times in the United States have many questioning the future of the U.S. dollar. A BETTER PEACE welcomes Rob Farley and Mark Duckenfield to discuss the realities of the power and place of the U.S. economy in the international market. They join podcast host Ron Granieri for a conversation about world finance. Their goal is to explain why debt is actually necessary, why the Chinese renminbi won't likely become the new reserve currency and how much gold could fit in Bliss Hall here at the War College. Lees meer
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SEARCHING FOR PEACE IN TIMBUKTU: THE UN MISSION IN MALI PT 2
19 december 2023 · 33 min
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established on April 25, 2013 to stabilize the country after the Tuareg rebellion of 2012. In June 2023, a new government that had come to power in a coup withdrew the mandate, forcing the mission and all of its staff to depart the country by the end of the year. Joe Ruzicka served as the Senior Advisor to the Commanding General, as well as the Senior U.S. Military Observer to MINUSMA, during that turbulent time. He is in the studio with guest hosts Jonny Drake and TJ Moffatt to discuss his experiences in Mali and why the mission ended. It's the second of a two-part episode that examines the pros and cons of how the UN mission in Mali was conducted. Lees meer
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SEARCHING FOR PEACE IN TIMBUKTU: THE UN MISSION IN MALI PT 1
12 december 2023 · 25 min
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established on April 25, 2013 to stabilize the country after the Tuareg rebellion of 2012. In June 2023, a new government that had come to power in a coup withdrew the mandate, forcing the mission and all of its staff to depart the country by the end of the year. Joe Ruzicka served as the Senior Advisor to the Commanding General, as well as the Senior U.S. Military Observer to MINUSMA, during that turbulent time. He is in the studio with guest hosts Jonny Drake and TJ Moffatt to discuss his experiences in Mali and why the mission ended. It's the first of a two-part episode that examines the pros and cons of how the UN mission in Mali was conducted. Lees meer
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THE AIR FORCE HAS SPIES?! RISE OF THE MAVERICKS
5 december 2023
The United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS) was created in October 1948, just 13 months after the recognition of the Air Force as a separate branch with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. Cloaked in secrecy, it arose out of a need for air-minded intelligence that just wasn’t being provided by the Army or the Navy. Our good friend and fellow podcaster Philip Shackelford is in the studio to discuss his new book Rise of the Mavericks: The U.S. Air Force Security Service and the Cold War, which takes a foundational look at the creation and development of the Security Service that is the forerunner of modern-day intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as communications and cyber intelligence and security. Phil joins podcast host Ron Granieri to examine his personal connection to the USAFSS, the roadblocks he encountered researching the topic, and his transition into the podcasting world as the creator and host of The Modern Scholar Podcast. Lees meer
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THE SPY WHOM WE LOVE: JAMES BOND BEYOND THE COLD WAR
28 november 2023 · 45 min
Born in the midst of the Cold War, James Bond was often considered the consummate Cold Warrior. But within the 14 original novels, 9 short stories, 40 continuation novels, 10 Young Bond novels and 25 movies to date, the fictional reflection of the struggles between the West and the Soviet Union was far more complex than reality. Martin Brown and Ron Granieri are guests in the studio to discuss their new book, The Bondian Cold War: The Transnational Legacy of a Cultural Icon. Martin and Ron, along with their fellow editor, Muriel Blaive, who wasn't able to attend this gathering, have written and gathered a volume of essays that examine the Bondiverse. They join host Gen Lester to discuss the impact 007 has had on the entertainment world, the culture war, and the very real worlds of espionage and diplomacy. Lees meer
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PEOPLE, PRIORITIES & PROGRESS - FUTURES COMMAND: (HOW SHOULD THE ARMY RUN?)
14 november 2023 · 28 min
What happens when you get three experienced soldiers together to discuss something they've worked on for much of their careers? Well, the first thing that happens is that they "go secure" and start speaking in acronyms. More importantly, you get an enthusiastic conversation about transforming the Army to support soldiers now and well into the future. LTG Ross Coffman is in the virtual studio with hosts Lou Yuengert and Bob Bradford, and as the Deputy Commanding General of Futures Command, he's got a front-row seat to some of the Army's biggest innovation efforts across the force. Lees meer
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FINDING TIME FOR GROWTH: DISTANCE EDUCATION AT USAWC PT 4
7 november 2023 · 32 min
It’s time for another episode about the U.S. Army War College’s Distance Education program. COL Heather Smigowski, Chair of the Department of Distance Education (DDE), is back in the studio, and this time she’s brought along two joint military and one civilian graduate of the DDE program. Ken Hills, Donna Jenkins and Mark Nibert join Heather and podcast host Ron Granieri for a conversation about their time in the program. The discussion focuses on how to prepare for the two-year program, what surprised each of them about the curriculum, some tips and tricks for success, and where they've seen payoffs since graduation. No surprise, the recurring themes are that time management, discipline, and sacrifice are necessary to take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities distance education offers. Lees meer
And just in case the Army's DDE program doesn't work for you, Ken was contractually obligated as the Vice Commandant of the Global College of Professional Military Education to mention the distance education opportunities the Air Force offers at https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/GCPME/.
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UNDERSTANDING CHINA THROUGH ITS RECRAFTED PAST: RANA MITTER (ON WRITING)
31 oktober 2023 · 33 min
It's time for another episode of On Writing with Michael Neiberg. For this conversation, Michael is joined by Rana Mitter, author of China’s Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism. Their discussion took place in the heart of London on a warm June afternoon at the British Academy, complete with all the background noises of the bustling city. Rana explains how China is shaping the modern narrative and memory through the reinvention of its role in World War II. An often overlooked theater, the Chinese government has taken liberties with its complicated response to the Japanese invasion and rewritten it as a fierce resistance and heroic battle against fascism. Lees meer
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ARMY WAR COLLEGE 360: A CONVERSATION WITH MG DAVID HILL (USAWC BEYOND CARLISLE)
24 oktober 2023 · 31 min
Editor-in-Chief JP Clark had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with Major General David Hill, the 53rd Commandant of the U.S. Army War College. Their discussion begins with the best-known activity at Carlisle, the education of strategic-minded, joint-qualified warfighters from across the Department of Defense, U.S. Government, and international fellows. But the commandant also comments on the many other activities conducted by Army War College, including executive education for general officers and sergeants major, extensive research in all aspects of national security, and world-class wargaming. There is even the preservation of one of the best collections of artifacts and documents relating to the history of the U.S. Army. Lees meer
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PRESERVING DOMESTIC SECURITY (EISENHOWER SERIES)
17 oktober 2023 · 42 min
It's time once again to feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. For over 50 years, the Eisenhower Program has reached out to colleges and town halls across the nation to introduce War College students to audiences that are often unfamiliar with members of the U.S. military. This episode features Nate Minott and Chris Powers as they discuss some of the newest threats to homeland security. Nate considers the modern consumer-grade drone and the problem of securing airspace over sporting events, concerts or any large gathering. It's a timely concern as the world watches what drones can do on the battlefield. Chris discusses the potential threat of foreign buyers acquiring land in the United States as well as the militarization of civilian law enforcement. Lees meer
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LESSONS FROM FORT LIVING ROOM: DISTANCE EDUCATION AT USAWC PT 3
10 oktober 2023 · 34 min
It's time for another episode about the U.S. Army War College's Distance Education program. COL Heather Smigowski, Chair of the Department of Distance Education (DDE), is back in the studio and this time she's brought along two recent grads of the AY21 and AY22 DDE classes. Mark Almond and Dave Paravecchia join Heather and podcast host Ron Granieri to explain what graduating from the distance program has done for them and how it has impacted their careers in the Army. Their conversation focuses on tips and techniques for time management along with the real-time lessons they learned while still working their "day jobs." Lees meer
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ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR FORCE MANAGEMENT: GFIM (HOW SHOULD THE ARMY RUN)
3 oktober 2023 · 36 min
When faced with a challenge, a soldier will always come up with some sort of solution to make the system, process or piece of equipment work. It may not be an elegant solution or a good use of time, but they will find a way to make it work. Lori Mongold and Andrew St. Laurent are doing everything in their power to make sure soldiers don't have to find workarounds to disconnected systems, at least in the force management world. They are the chief and deputy chief of the office in the Army staff charged with fixing how the service creates and manages units. Their solution revises processes and replaces fifteen legacy systems with one new information technology system, the Global Force Information Management Operational Environment. They join host Bob Bradford in the studio to explain the bureaucratic journey required to move the global force management process from the industrial to the cognitive era. Lees meer
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RECRUIT, RETAIN, DRAFT?: RAISING AN ARMY FOR LARGE SCALE CONFLICT
26 september 2023 · 33 min
In the closing scene of James Michener's novel The Bridges of Toko-Ri, an admiral thinks of the aircrew he just sent to the Korean conflict--some never to return--and asks, "Where did we get such men?" President Ronald Reagan asked the same question years later at the Medal of Honor presentation to Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, speaking of both the awardee and his many comrades in Vietnam. It is often overlooked that many who served in both of those conflicts came from the activated reserve forces and selective service. During their year at the Army War College, Kent Park and Stephen Trynosky examined the challenges if we had to again rapidly expand the army for a large war. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss their research on the topic and their concerns that the U.S. is not adequately prepared for a major conflict with a near-peer threat, such as China or Russia. Park and Trynosky argue that the U.S. needs to take steps to increase its personnel readiness long before the shadow of great power conflict appears because timelines in the modern global security environment are much more compressed than in previous conflicts. Lees meer
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WRITING ON A DEADLINE: SHASHANK JOSHI (ON WRITING)
19 september 2023 · 33 min
Michael Neiberg is back in the studio for the next installation of the On Writing series. This week's guest is Shashank Joshi, Defense Editor for The Economist. This episode is a slight variation from the normal On Writing discussion because Shashank is a journalist writing a much shorter form than our usual guests, and then there's the little issue of the deadlines associated with a fast-paced news cycle. Their conversation turns to the organization and formulation of an interesting and accessible article, avoiding personal injury when dealing with demanding editors, and what sort of formal and informal research is necessary to build a mental database useful for informing a news-oriented writing format. Lees meer
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OBSERVATIONS FROM NATO’S NORTHERN FRONT REVISITED (EISENHOWERS SERIES)
12 september 2023 · 40 min
It's time once again to feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. For over 50 years, the Eisenhower Program has reached out to colleges and town halls across the nation to introduce War College students to audiences that are often unfamiliar with members of the U.S. military. This time we have two officers of NATO's northern front in the studio, Norwegian Steinar Dahl and Canadian Eric Landry. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to present their thoughts on the NATO alliance and their country's contributions to the organization. The conversation focuses on interoperability, what the war in Ukraine has revealed about NATO and what the organization's world role might be after that war has ended. Lees meer
We've titled this "Revisited" because regular listeners might remember that in 2020 A BETTER PEACE sat down with Major General Torgeir Gråtrud, commander of the Norwegian Special Operations Command, to discuss his perspectives on strategic leadership and Norway's role in NATO.
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ASPIRATIONAL, VAGUE, AND STRATEGIC: THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
5 september 2023 · 37 min
Regular listeners might remember previous episodes in which we looked at the 2022 National Security Strategy and the 2022 National Defense Strategy. In this episode, we continue the examination of strategic-level documents with a review of the 2023 National Intelligence Strategy. Genevieve Lester is in the studio, but this time she's the guest with podcast host Ron Granieri. Their conversation dissects the document that is the Director of National Intelligence's strategic direction for the Intelligence Community (IC) for the next four years. Ideally, it aligns IC priorities with other national strategies and supports the IC’s mission to provide timely, insightful, objective, and relevant intelligence and support to inform national security decisions and to protect the United States and its interests. But what can you say about an institution whose business is keeping secrets in a document that is shared with the world? Gen and Ron share their thoughts about the language used, the specificity and vagueness, and the overall message the document conveys. Lees meer
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STRATEGY IN SPACE!
22 augustus 2023 · 28 min
For those of you of sufficient age, you should have heard that title in your head with the stentorian voice of this fine announcer. But in all seriousness, the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command have their work cut out for them, developing doctrine and strategy and educating the public on the contributions of space to daily life in the modern world. A.P. Penaflor joins host Jacqueline Whitt in the studio to discuss space, a topic that once held nations spellbound but has become so routine that the average citizen gives it little thought. But the members of the DoD that work in the space realm every day are busy developing the tactics, techniques and procedures that allow the military and commercial industries to operate and navigate in the unforgiving environment today and well into the future. Lees meer
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SIMULATING DIPLOMATIC DISASTER (WARGAMING ROOM)
15 augustus 2023 · 33 min
It's time once again for a visit to the Wargaming Room. In this episode, three recent graduates of the AY23 Resident Course at the U.S. Army War College share the wargame they developed as part of the Carlisle Scholars Program. Giovanni Corrado, Ian Hopper and Kent Park are in the studio to discuss the impetus and goal of their Strategy Simulation Exercise. Joined by podcast editor Ron Granieri, the three game creators share how the exercise demonstrates how policy is made at many different levels. Using alliances, negotiations, political capital and timed periods, they've created a game that is an incredible teaching tool for a handful, a dozen, or even over a hundred students at a time. Lees meer
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MANAGING NATO: INTERESTS AND INTEROPERABILITY
8 augustus 2023 · 32 min
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has revived interest in and discussions about NATO. When 31 countries, each with their own national interests and goals, come together, interoperability becomes a driving consideration. Giovanni Corrado and Joel Gleason conducted a study of NATO interoperability and doctrine as their research project for the Carlisle Scholars program at the U.S. Army War College. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to share the findings of numerous interviews and studies. What they found was that despite all the different languages, interests, equipment and procedures, multinational formations on the battlefield make it work. Much of that is due to well-formed doctrine that most members aren't aware of in their daily routine. Lees meer
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AT THE CENTER OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE: THE LIBRARY
4 augustus 2023 · 21 min
It's back to school time across the United States, and it's no different here at the U.S. Army War College. What's different this year is that the resident class of academic year 2024 will arrive at a brand new academic facility, dubbed the new Root Hall by faculty and staff. It's a beautiful building with every detail designed around facilitating the education of leaders today and well into the future. And of course, you can't have a school without a library, but this isn't the library you remember from grade school. Greta Braungard, Academic Library Division Chief, and Heather Goyette, Knowledge Commons Branch Chief, join podcast editor Ron Granieri to explain the features and innovations of the new facility. From movable stacks and digital databases to self-checkout and a whole new spectacular view (quite a change from the previous basement location), the new library will be at the center of the student body's research effort. Lees meer
If you are a new student or faculty member at the Army War College, be sure to make time for a 20-minute guided tour during one of the upcoming library open houses listed below:
Monday, August 7, 2023, 1300 and 1500
Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 1300 and 1500
Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 1300 and 1500
Thursday, August 17, 2023, 1300 and 1500 -
A COMMUNICATION GAP ACROSS THE GENERATION GAP
1 augustus 2023 · 30 min
Fifty years ago, the United States Department of Defense ended the draft and chose to rely exclusively on volunteers to fill the ranks. The all-volunteer force was born and the competition was on to attract the best and brightest to military service. This year, the Army, Navy and Air Force, including National Guard components, all expect to fall well short of their recruiting goals. Tony Perez feels that one of the major shortcomings of the recruiting game is communication. He's in the studio with podcast editor Ron Granieri to explain why a significant portion of the problem is old people failing to communicate with young people. Old people may be a bit of an overstatement, but Tony sees an issue with the inability of military recruiters to explain why the military provides so many of the things that the next generation desires in a job or even a career. Lees meer
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LIKE UBER IN A GANG FIGHT: THE FUTURE OF CASEVAC
25 juli 2023 · 26 min
In our last episode, we examined the relationship between military medicine and tactical effectiveness, as well as some of the incredible advances in combat medical care over the last few decades. In this episode, Manny Menendez asks some hard questions about how well the excellent casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) system developed and refined over 20+ years of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq will transition to large-scale combat operations. In a wide-ranging discussion with podcast host Darrell Driver, Manny discusses the problems of mass casualties, enemy anti-air capabilities, organizational culture and societal expectations about casualty care. In his Army War College research project, Menendez suggests the Army must alter its approach to CASEVAC, giving the example of pairing a ride-sharing system combined with a grab-and-go philosophy that strikes a different balance between tactical need, specialized medical care, and speed of evacuation. Lees meer
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MEDICINE, MORALE and MUSTERING THE FORCE
18 juli 2023 · 38 min
Once upon a time, a wound as simple as a scratch could lead to death. Many of incredible advances in medicine and medical care since were driven by the exigencies of war. Tanisha Fazal has conducted a fascinating study that examines the relationship between military medicine and military effectiveness in interstate wars globally since 1900. She's in the studio with podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the outcomes of the study and the methodology her team used to arrive at their conclusions. Whether it is technological advances, or changes in tactics, techniques and procedures like the golden-hour rule or the platinum fifteen minutes, medicine has a profound effect on not just the ability to field a force but also its morale. Be sure to check out Tanisha's book Military Medicine and the Hidden Costs of War when it releases 15 March 2024. Lees meer
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MOBILIZATION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 4)
29 juni 2023 · 42 min
In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this fourth and final episode are Mike Barnett, Mark Mullinax, Ryan Noble, and Jon Holm. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the daunting task of mobilization for large-scale operations. Their conversation examines such topics as maximizing the effective use of reserve component mobilization authorities, leveraging alternate mobilization sites, expanding civilian hires and contracting and increasing continuity and reallocation of deployable readiness assets. Lees meer
The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.
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PROTECTION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 3)
23 juni 2023 · 39 min
In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this third episode are Jennifer Hunt, Matthew Inglis, and Lillian Woodington. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the complicated task of protection writ large. Their conversation covers the concepts of the role the National Guard might play in addressing vulnerabilities in the cyber domain, air and missile defense across the competition continuum, and the role of protection in deterrence. Lees meer
The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 2)
16 juni 2023 · 35 min
In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this second episode are Jessicah Garrett-Somssich and Andrew Sinden. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the ever-growing realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and additive manufacturing (AM). Their conversation covers the concepts of building trust in technology, differences in generational acceptance and where to accept risk in the name of innovation to maximize the value of AI and AM in the Army. Lees meer
The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.
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LAUNCH OPERATION PLUM BLOSSOM: MICK RYAN ON WAR FOR TAIWAN
13 juni 2023 · 35 min
Fiction can be liberating. It offers authors latitude to think, propose, and prognosticate about real-world topics in ways that non-fiction does not allow. The ability to ask "what if?" can be an incredible tool in the national security realm that can inform real-time, real-world efforts and offer "solutions" to wicked problems. Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan has joined the ranks of fiction writers to help leaders think about what conflict with the People's Republic of China (PRC) might look like in his new book, "White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan." He's in the studio with podcast editor Ron Granieri to explain why he chose narrative as a tool to continue his dedicated service to professional military education. A 35-year veteran of the Australian Army, Ryan has plenty of experience to inform his fictional account of a possible conflict with the PRC. It is both an enjoyable read and an informative guide as to what technology on the future battlefield might look like. Lees meer
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LONG-RANGE FIRES (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 1)
9 juni 2023 · 36 min
In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this first episode are Paul Lashley and Andrew Hercik. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the role of long-range fires, the implications of strategic weapons in the theater army, and how they can be better integrated. Lees meer
The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.
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RESOURCING THE FORCE: MG JOHN FERRARI, RET. (HOW SHOULD THE ARMY RUN?)
6 juni 2023 · 40 min
Plan, Program, Budget and Execute - repeat. It's the strategic planning process for allocating resources in the Department of Defense that was first initiated in the early 1960s. The brainchild of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, it was originally the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting, or PPBS. Over the years the "System" was dropped and replaced with "Execution" yielding the current iteration, PPBE. A Better Peace is pleased to welcome retired Army Major General John Ferrari, to better understand the workings and inherent tensions of the PPBE process. The former Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation (2014-2019), MG Ferrari shares his extensive insider perspective on the incredibly complex process that was created out of a need to wrangle a growing defense institution and the associated budgets. He joins Bob Bradford and Tom Galvin to present a primer and much more on PPBE. They discuss where it succeeds, where it doesn't, and some of the necessary characteristics of relationships and leadership that need to be understood and refined to keep the process moving forward effectively. Lees meer
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HE THOUGHT LIKE AN INSURGENT: BERNARD FALL
30 mei 2023 · 29 min
Bernard Fall is considered by many to be one of the finest analysts and writers of the Vietnam War. Much of his insight about counterinsurgency warfare in Indochina was informed by the formative experiences earlier in his life. A Better Peace welcomes Nate Moir to discuss his book, "Number One Realist: Bernard Fall and Vietnamese Revolutionary Warfare", which analyses Fall's life to understand what drove his thinking and understanding of the situation. He joins host John Nagl to explain how Fall was consistently ahead of the conventional wisdom. Fall's penetrating assessments of the war brought some rebukes and even monitoring by the FBI, but in hindsight were proved to be sadly prescient and are an outstanding example of critical thought. Lees meer
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NEVER A DAY WITHOUT SPACE: SPACECOM
26 mei 2023 · 28 min
Sixty-six years ago, the Soviet Union placed Sputnik in orbit around the Earth and it changed everything. Since then, more than 80 nations and 100 commercial entities have also found their way into space. Yet much of the public is not aware of the extent to which hardly any event, transaction, or communication occurs that doesn't rely on some aspect of technology developed for or residing in space. A Better Peace welcomes General James Dickinson, Commander, U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), to the virtual studio to share his strategic vision for the execution and integration of military spacepower into global joint all-domain operations. General Dickinson joins Ben Ogden to explain how SPACECOM "will ensure there is never a day without space." Lees meer
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REAGAN AS THE PEACEMAKER: WILL INBODEN (ON WRITING)
23 mei 2023 · 29 min
It’s time for another episode of On Writing. A Better Peace welcomes William Inboden to the studio to discuss his book, "The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink." Will sits down with host Michael Neiberg for a conversation about capturing the efforts and accomplishments of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and his administration as they confronted the Soviets, reduced the nuclear threat and won the Cold War. The discussion examines how Will moved past his preconceived notions to present an unbiased and accurate account of the actions and interactions of the Reagan national security team in the 1980s. Lees meer
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CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS: DISCUSSING WAR (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)
19 mei 2023 · 52 min
The final episode of our three-part series on Afghanistan looks at rebuilding trust in the civil-military relationship. Twenty years of warfare presented a number of civil-military interactions, some positive and some detrimental, but the eventual collapse of Kabul after hearing time and again from the military that “this will be the year” we turn the corner, emptied the trust reservoir. Guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow, LTC Ranjini Danaraj, is joined by LTG (retired) Doug Lute, the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and Deputy National Security Advisor on Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Asia under both Presidents Bush and Obama, and Dr. Carrie Lee, the Co-Director of the Civil-Military Relations Center and Chair of the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College. They have a thoughtful discussion on Afghanistan’s impact on civil-military relations. Their conversation reveals the vital aspects of a civil-military relationship, how politics are fundamental to the conversation, how to better integrate other elements of national power and the need to balance expertise with humility. Lees meer
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ASSESSMENTS: MEASURING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)
12 mei 2023 · 41 min
The first episode of our three-part series on Afghanistan lessons discussed building armies. This episode focuses exclusively on assessing them. In the studio for this second episode are LTG (R) Eric Wesley, who brings experience from both the National Security Council Staff and the International Security Assistance Force, and Dr. Ben Connable, author of a RAND monograph entitled, Embracing the Fog of War: Assessment and Metrics in Counterinsurgency, They join guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow LTC Ranjini Danaraj for a serious discussion about the assessment of military forces in Afghanistan. The conversation covers assessment shortfalls, optimism in reporting, holding commanders accountable to their assessment, creating competitive perspectives, taking a long view of war, and measuring will to fight. Assessing is no easy task, but this episode provides insights on how to get it right, breaking the military’s assessment failure cycle, and helping military leaders accurately and credibly inform strategy decisions. Lees meer
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UNMASKING THE BOOGEYMAN: THE BIN LADEN PAPERS
9 mei 2023 · 47 min
Twelve years ago last week, on May 2, 2011, the U.S. military conducted a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan that killed Usama bin Laden. Once the mission was accomplished, the SEAL team conducted sensitive site exploitation and gathered up and returned with all of the materials and equipment they discovered in the compound. Nelly Lahoud and her team sorted through some 97,000 files and 6,000 pages of declassified documents, all in Arabic, to discover the truth about bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network. She's in the studio to discuss her book, "The Bin Laden Papers: How the Abbottabad Raid Revealed the Truth about Al-Qaeda, Its Leader and His Family" with host John Nagl. The information gleaned from this incredible undertaking paints a picture of a man and a network that, after the 9/11 attack, were confined, restrained and not very successful. Lees meer
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SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE: BUILDING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)
5 mei 2023 · 37 min
The United States spent over 20 years in Afghanistan and while a lot has been written about the missteps, there is much to be written about the solutions that would have lent to better outcomes. This is the first of a three-part series on Afghanistan and its lessons. Guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow LTC Ranjini Danaraj and MG Donn Hill, the Commander of Security Force Assistance Command, have a candid discussion on what the U.S. Army has learned about security force assistance, building balanced and sustainable foreign security forces, and operationalizing the lessons learned from Afghanistan. MG Hill shares insights on how the Army's security force assistance brigades are taking best practices to armies around the world and what is now codified in the forthcoming update to FM 3-22, Army Support to Security Cooperation. Lees meer
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REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP FROM TWO MIRROR IMAGES
26 april 2023 · 35 min
When twins Derek and TJ Baird joined the Army in the '90s, neither of them had any idea what lay ahead. But 26 and 30 years later respectively, one is a colonel and the other a command sergeant major, and it's safe to say the Army has been a great place for them. The Baird brothers join podcast editor Ron Granieri in the virtual studio to tell the story of two very different yet very similar careers serving the nation. Derek and TJ share how they have relied on each other throughout the years for advice and support both as professional soldiers and as brothers. It's a great story of their similar leadership philosophies and styles and decades of service that they plan to continue for decades more. Lees meer
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INSIDE THE BA'TH PARTY: IRAQ AGAINST THE WORLD
11 april 2023 · 35 min
2023 is, of course, the 20th anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq. There has already been and surely will be much more examination of the event and the subsequent consequences of the war but very little of the analysis has been from the viewpoint of the Iraqis. Sam Helfont changed that with his new book "Iraq against the World: Saddam, America, and the Post-Cold War Order." He joins podcast editor, Ron Granieri, to explain how he gained access to internal Ba'th Party files that reveal the foreign policy, inner workings and previously unknown actors in Saddam Hussein's regime. It's a fascinating discussion of the decade leading up to the invasion from the view of the Iraqis, and how they were able to disrupt global norms and divide Western states. Lees meer