Michael O'Hanlon

Michael O'Hanlon, Philip Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy at Brookings and author, joins to debate U.S. grand strategy and whether there is a distinct American way of war. He explores why limited force recurs, how the U.S. adapts under fire, the history of post-1945 strategy and offsets, and why Congress should avoid giving a blank check for a major Iran war while shoring up munitions production.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former Ukrainian Defence Minister, discuss Ukraine's defense strategies amid the absence of NATO support. They explore innovative military tactics, including advancements in drone warfare and the importance of functional defeat. The conversation also highlights the historical context of military strategies, particularly lessons from the Winter War, and emphasizes the need for a robust defense posture while considering Ukraine's fight for independence from Russian aggression.

In an insightful discussion, Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at Brookings focused on U.S. defense strategy, explores the unpredictable dynamics of a potential China-Taiwan conflict. He emphasizes the limitations of traditional modeling exercises and the challenges posed by emerging military technologies. The conversation delves into how past conflicts can inform current strategies and the importance of integrated deterrence amidst rapid technological advancements. O'Hanlon also sheds light on the emotional and practical impacts of military innovation and its implications for national security.

Serhan Afacan, director of the Center of Iranian Studies in Ankara, maps regional incidents and Turkey/Azerbaijan ties. Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings foreign policy researcher, evaluates U.S. strategy and military effects. Alam Saleh, ANU Iranian studies lecturer, explains Iranian strategy and domestic dynamics. They discuss geographic spread, confused strikes, factional command splits, and competing endgames in short, sharp conversations.

Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings policy analyst and author on U.S. defense history, offers a compact tour of American military strategy from the Revolution to the modern era. He traces early naval fights, 19th-century expansion, the rise of global naval power, WWII’s transformation, Cold War shifts, and contemporary dilemmas about Russia, China, and when the U.S. should act.