Modern War Institute

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, provides expert analysis on missile, drone, and air-defense systems. He walks through the weapons shaping the Iran conflict. The conversation covers interceptor supply strains, shifts from precision standoff munitions to massed bombs, the drone versus missile defense challenge, and what true air-defense integration means.

Rory Miller, professor at Georgetown Qatar who studies Gulf states, Sydney Laite, former senior intelligence analyst on Iran, and Jonathan Panikoff, Atlantic Council Middle East security director, unpack strategic motivations behind U.S.-Israeli strikes and how aims may diverge. They discuss Iran's institutional resilience and succession, proxy and missile strategies, and how Gulf states are responding and coordinating under pressure.

Pat Sullivan, Army colonel focusing on doctrine and military education; Mark Cancian, retired Marine and budget/force posture analyst; Frank Hoffman, retired Marine and strategy expert. They probe the new National Defense Strategy’s audiences and classified gaps. They debate shifts toward homeland and hemispheric priorities, implications for allies and adversaries, simultaneity across theaters including space, and industrial base and funding challenges.

Liam Collins, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel and expert in operational intelligence, teams up with Jimmy Blackmon, a veteran helicopter aviator, to dissect the U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro. They discuss the extensive planning and coordination required for such a complex mission, with insights into aviation tactics and the challenges of low-level flight. The duo emphasizes the critical role of intelligence in targeting and how evolving technologies like drones shape modern operations, showcasing the intricacies of military strategy in real-time.

Colonel Ethan Diven, the Provost of Army University and Deputy Commandant at the Army Command and General Staff College, shares insights on evolving military training in the face of modern warfare challenges. He emphasizes the importance of not just new technology, but also building organizational proficiency through realistic training scenarios. Diven discusses rapid targeting cycles, the essential role of drones, and the need for leadership that embraces decentralization. He advocates for transformative educational reforms to ensure the Army remains effective on future battlefields.

Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins to discuss the rising threats posed by drones to national airspaces. She highlights the differences between civilian and military drone incidents, emphasizing NATO's challenges in countering these threats. Pettyjohn delves into necessary investments in detection technology and automation for swift responses. She also explores the complexities of scaling drone production and the promise of future defeat technologies like lasers and high-power microwaves.

Sam Bendett, an advisor with the Russia Studies Program at CNA, delves into the technological arms race in Ukraine, characterized by rapid innovation from both sides. He explains how Ukraine's integrated use of drones and electronic warfare has played a pivotal role, particularly during the Kursk offensive. Sam highlights the significance of volunteer-driven tech ecosystems in Ukraine, the evolution of counter-UAV tactics, and the implications of commercial dual-use technology. He also discusses how lessons from this conflict may resonate globally.

Ali Wyne, a senior advisor for US-China relations at the International Crisis Group, delves into the complex dynamics of U.S.-China strategic competition. He discusses the contrasting narratives stemming from historical conflicts, especially World War II. Wyne highlights China’s view as a stabilizing force amidst shifting global alliances with Russia and North Korea. He examines the strategic narratives crafted through military parades and the psychological factors contributing to China’s competitive edge, urging for an understanding that fosters coexistence despite rising tensions.

The US Army is in a period of transformation. And much of that transformation centers on technology—from artificial intelligence and robotics to drones and directed-energy weapons. But leaning forward technologically brings both advantages and new challenges. To explore the way the Army is approaching those challenges and pursuing technology-driven battlefield advantage, John Amble is joined on this episode by Dr. Alex Miller, senior science and technology advisor and chief technology officer to the chief of staff of the Army. He describes the ways small-unit experimentation is driving change from the tactical edge, how senior leaders are rethinking the systems and processes through which the Army acquires new technology, and some of the specific military problems for which the Army is actively pursuing technology-enabled solutions. The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974.

Morgan Bazilian, Director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, highlights the pressing issues surrounding the U.S. military's dependency on critical minerals, especially rare earth elements. He discusses the shrinking National Defense Stockpile and the vulnerabilities posed by China's dominance in mineral supply chains. Bazilian emphasizes the need for domestic production and strategic partnerships to enhance national security. The conversation also touches on the shift towards innovative military technologies and the evolving landscape of defense procurement in a geopolitically tense environment.