Irregular Warfare Podcast

General Stephen N. Whiting, Commander of United States Space Command, leads joint space operations and defends U.S. interests in orbit. He discusses how space underpins modern military capabilities, the SOF–space–cyber triad, on-orbit maneuvering and logistics, commercial integration with defense, and how China’s space outreach reshapes global competition.

Episode 150 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines the historical and strategic forces that shaped modern Iran and explores how the Islamic Republic uses irregular warfare to advance its interests in the Middle East. Our guests begin by examining the political foundations of modern Iranian politics, tracing the country’s trajectory from the rule of the Shah and the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh to the revolutionary upheaval of 1979. They then explore why the Islamic Republic turned to irregular warfare—particularly the use of proxy groups and militant networks—as a core component of its foreign policy and regional strategy. Finally, our guests assess how Iran’s proxy network evolved over time, why it proved effective for decades, and what recent conflicts may reveal about the future of Iran’s regional influence and internal political stability. Dr. Arman Mahmoudian is a research fellow at the Global and National Security Institute and an adjunct faculty member whose work focuses on Middle Eastern and Russian affairs. His research and commentary have appeared in outlets including Foreign Policy, The National Interest, and the Atlantic Council, and he frequently provides expert analysis for international media. Behnam Ben Taleblu is senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he specializes in Iranian security and political issues including nuclear proliferation, missile development, sanctions, and the Islamic Republic’s regional proxy network. Ben Jebb and Alex Chinchilla are the hosts for this episode. Please reach out to Ben and Alex with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.

General Joseph Votel, retired four-star and CENTCOM commander, brings practitioner perspective. Chris Blair, Princeton politics professor and researcher of militant alliances, explains the comparative-advantage framework. They discuss why militant groups form alliances, how al-Qaeda and ISIS traded ideology and operations differently, and how alliance content can reveal vulnerabilities and guide disruption strategies.

Dr. Alexander Miller, Army Chief Technology Officer bridging Army, industry, and acquisition. Dr. Seth G. Jones, defense strategy expert and author focused on the industrial base. They discuss how industrial capacity shapes long wars. They compare fast procurement cultures, historic mobilization lessons, commercial scale versus China's production, and reforms to speed acquisition, signal demand, and rebuild surge capacity.

Lieutenant Colonel (Dr.) Matthew Kuhlman, U.S. Army officer and scholar; General (ret.) Wayne Eyre, former Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff; Noel Anderson, political scientist on competitive intervention. They discuss types and frequency of external military aid. They examine how outside support shapes civil war duration, escalation dynamics, proxy strategies, and the rising role of nonstate and regional actors.

Colin Freeman, British journalist who reported from conflict zones and wrote about Ukraine’s foreign volunteers. Dr. David Malet, scholar of foreign fighter recruitment and transnational conflict. They trace a long history of foreign fighters, explore varied motivations from mercenary pay to ideological calling, compare recruitment tactics across theaters, and debate the mixed battlefield effects and policy implications.

Rear Admiral Mark Schaefer, leading Special Operations Command South, delves into strategic nuances in South America, emphasizing partnership operations and adapting to regional threats. August Cole, a futurist and author, explores future warfare through his short story, 'Special Delivery,' highlighting the significance of sabotage in deterring conflict. Together, they discuss the evolution of sabotage tactics, the vital role of emerging technologies, and the importance of human adaptability in strategic operations, while stressing the need to understand adversary perception to mitigate escalation risks.

Mark Hartling, a retired Lieutenant General with 38 years in the U.S. Army, and Alexandra Chinchilla, an international affairs professor at Texas A&M, dive into Ukraine's resistance operations. They discuss the evolution of special operations forces, the importance of irregular warfare, and how innovation in technology like drones has bolstered Ukrainian capabilities. The conversation highlights the strategic impact of partisan activities, the effectiveness of Ukrainian strikes against Russian forces, and critical lessons for military advisors navigating modern conflict.

Join General (Ret.) Stan McChrystal, a four-star general with vast experience in irregular warfare, and Dr. Alec Worsnop, an expert on insurgent military effectiveness, as they unravel the secrets of guerrilla warfare success. They discuss how cohesive ideology and social ties aren't enough; it's skilled leaders and professionalization that drive effective insurgent forces. The conversation explores the evolution of the Taliban, the importance of tactical leadership, and the need for tailored security assistance, highlighting the complexities of modern insurgencies.

Mick Crnkovich, former director for irregular warfare at the Pentagon, underscores the shift from counterterrorism to recognizing irregular warfare as vital in great power competition. Retired Colonel Dave Maxwell shares insights on the cultural resistance within conventional forces regarding new IW strategies. Dr. Jonathan Schroden emphasizes the importance of defining irregular warfare effectively, discussing its implications for military operations and leadership. The trio assesses whether recent policy changes will lead to substantial shifts in military planning and execution.