

A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast
A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast
This is the podcast of WAR ROOM, the official online journal of the U.S. Army War College. Join us for provocative discussions about U.S. national security and defense, featuring prominent national security and military professionals.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 24, 2026 • 39min
HUMAN AGENCY IN THE AGE OF AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Blair Wilcox & Chase Metcalf join host Tom Spahr to discuss AI in planning. Wargames show AI excels in data and control but cannot master the art of command. Human intuition remains vital to avoid strategically disastrous decisions.

Mar 17, 2026 • 36min
THE RISE OF NON-STATE SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Non-state actors now execute strategic strikes mirroring elite state operations. Craig Whiteside joins host Darrell Driver to discuss the rise of non-state special operations, from the Tet Offensive to space-based threats, and why identifying motives is critical.

Mar 10, 2026 • 41min
INTELLIGENCE, INNOVATION, AND INTEGRATION
The Army is evolving its intel to outpace modern threats. Andrew Evans joins Tom Spahr to discuss a permanent Strategy and Transformation Office. To beat 11-yr acquisition cycles, he advocates for a cultural shift to get new tech to soldiers faster

Mar 3, 2026 • 28min
BREAKING THE CADENCE: REFORMING THE ARMY'S ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK
The Army is shifting from acquiring "widgets" to a holistic "6 plus 1" portfolio structure to deliver tech to the warfighter faster. Amanda Love joins Dan Harris & Bob Bradford to discuss the new era of "failing fast & learning" in acquisition reform.

Feb 24, 2026 • 35min
THE LONG ARC OF THE IRAQ WARS
Samuel Helfont joins host Ron Graneri to discuss his book, The Iraq Wars, that makes interesting connections across three decades of conflict.

Feb 17, 2026 • 46min
ANCHORING GERMANY TO THE WEST: ADENAUER’S HEIRS
How did a divided Germany become a pillar of stability? Host Jadwiga Biskupska sits down with Ron Granieri to discuss his book, Adenauer’s Heirs. They explore how the CDU/CSU anchored Germany to the West, proving modern debates on European unity are rooted in the Cold War.

Jan 27, 2026 • 37min
DATA, DETERRENCE AND DIPLOMACY: THEATER ARMY INTELLIGENCE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
Carol Stauffer, USARPAC G2, joins host Tom Spahr to explore Theater Army intel in the Indo-Pacific. They discuss the shift from "kill chains" to a "kill mesh" & how human relationships maintain deterrence across 35 nations
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/data-deterrence-diplomacy

Jan 20, 2026 • 35min
BEYOND STRANGELOVE: GETTING TO NUCLEAR NORMALCY
Nuclear ops are back in the wartime vernacular. Jeremiah Aeschleman joins host Tom Spahr to discuss why military ldrs must move past the "ENDEX mindset" & prepare the joint force for the reality of fighting & winning on a nuclear-armed battlefield.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/nuclear-normalcy

Jan 6, 2026 • 30min
WARFIGHTING AND THE '1492 MOMENT' IN SPACE
David Zesinger joins Tom Spahr to discuss the "1492 moment" in space. From the moon's helium-3 resources to the contested nature of the domain, learn why space is the deciding factor in modern warfare.

Dec 23, 2025 • 41min
RELEVANCE AND TRUST: THE FUTURE OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
U.S. intelligence needs to adapt to maintain relevance & trust. LTG (Ret.) Bob Ashley joins Tom Spahr to break down how the IC must adapt to closing technological gaps & a changing world order


