War on the Rocks

Veterans trade vivid stories about mortars, rockets, artillery, and harassment fires from Iraq and Afghanistan. They compare old-area harassment with today’s guided drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats. The conversation covers base procedures, quick reaction raids on launch sites, training and family communication, and the psychological toll of persistent, high-volume attacks.

Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, oversees efforts to rebuild U.S. defense manufacturing. He discusses brittle supply chains for minerals and energetics. He talks about stabilizing demand with multi-year munitions deals. He covers bringing nontraditional firms into defense and coordinating with allies to scale production.

Joel Wuff, analyst at the National Defense University; Peter Mattis, China-focused former CIA analyst and Jamestown Foundation president; John Zinn, Brookings China politics specialist; Dennis Wilder, veteran CIA China analyst now in academia. They unpack PLA purges, the political control of the military, implications for readiness and corruption, and how leadership turnover reshapes signaling and risk calculations abroad.

Lee Bowden, an EOD officer who led explosive teams at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and Aaron Reep, a Marine infantry leader who commanded Charlie Company during the Kabul evacuation, recount their roles. They describe arrival chaos, the intense first 96 hours to secure the airfield, indicators before the Abbey Gate bombing, balancing force with compassion, and lessons for future noncombatant evacuations.

Naysan Rafati, Senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, maps Tehran’s security and domestic strains. Holly Dagres, Iran specialist and Substack curator, traces protest history and social drivers. Alex Vatanka, Middle East Institute fellow, assesses regional fallout and strategic choices. They discuss protest scale, foreign intervention risks, governance failures, environmental stresses, and U.S. policy options.

David Deptula, retired lieutenant general and former F-15 pilot who led the Mitchell Institute, talks airpower challenges and what fixing the Air Force will require. He recounts Desert Storm planning, discusses readiness shortfalls and procurement priorities, explains effects-based thinking and Ukrainian innovations, and shares practical advice for junior Airmen plus his favorite D.C. spots.

Afshon Ostovar, an expert on the Iranian regime, shares captivating insights on the ongoing protests in Iran calling for regime change. He analyzes the rapid spread of dissent from provinces to Tehran and discusses the economic drivers behind the unrest, including hyperinflation and elite corruption. Afshon explores the role of Reza Pahlavi, the ousted shah's son, in the current movement and evaluates the intricate security apparatus supporting the regime. He also speculates on possible scenarios for achieving regime change and their regional implications.

Join Mike Kofman, a researcher on Russian military affairs, and Dara Massicot, a defense analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, as they explore the complexities of the Russo-Ukrainian war. They discuss the stalled diplomacy, the implications of not reaching a ceasefire, and Russia's potential moves in 2026. The conversation delves into Ukraine's expanding strike capabilities against Russian shipping and the challenges of defending against drone attacks. Both experts also analyze Russia's technological advancements and manpower strains in a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.

Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Senior Royal Navy officer and the first Royal Marine to become First Sea Lord, dives into his unique journey and the future of the Royal Navy. He shares insights on submarine maintenance, emphasizing its critical importance. Jenkins also discusses the role of unmanned systems and the need for naval reforms, drawing lessons from Ukraine. He highlights the significance of NATO collaboration while balancing global commitments, plus the vital U.S.-U.K. naval relationship, showing a commitment to a resilient maritime strategy.

Gen. Xavier T. Brunson commands key military forces on the Korean Peninsula and shares insights from his extensive career. He discusses the delicate balance of his dual responsibilities, assessing North Korea’s evolving tactics and the importance of readiness exercises for deterrence. Brunson highlights South Korea’s growing military capabilities and its role in regional security. He also reflects on his command during political turmoil and the significance of adapting strategies to counter new threats in the Indo-Pacific.