Modern War Institute

Colonel Scott Wence, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and Major Anthony Patolino, overseeing base defense at Al-Assad Air Base, share harrowing insights from their deployment in the Middle East. They detail their brigade's resilience against over a hundred drone attacks, emphasizing tactical responses and the critical need for effective threat detection systems. The discussion also highlights the importance of technology integration and adaptive strategies in modern warfare, showcasing innovative approaches to counteract emerging drone threats.

In this special episode of the MWI Podcast, we're taking the opportunity to introduce listeners to a brand new podcast series called Ctrl Alt Army: Stories from Cyberspace. Hosted by Dr. Michael Sulmeyer, principal cyber advisor to the secretary of the Army, this podcast series features informal conversations with senior Army leaders about cyber issues. This is not a podcast by and for cyber specialists about cyber topics, but an opportunity for leaders from wide-ranging professional backgrounds to share how cyber issues have become increasingly impactful on a wide range of noncyber fields. Each of the series' eight episodes will feature a discussion with a different Army leader. To hear all episodes as they're released each week, find and subscribe to Ctrl Alt Army on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Sam Bendett, an adviser at CNA and senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, dives into Russia's military ambitions regarding AI. He discusses the impact of sanctions on Russia's AI research since the Ukraine invasion. Bendett highlights a skilled worker exodus affecting military and civilian AI sectors, and emphasizes how this strains Russia's tech workforce. The conversation also touches on Russia's integration of advanced technology in military strategy and its ongoing reliance on partnerships, particularly with China, for future developments.

General Charles A. Flynn, the Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific, emphasizes the crucial role of landpower in the Indo-Pacific amidst maritime strategies. He discusses the Army's unique capabilities that reinforce security for allies and partners, highlighting a 'land power network' essential for deterring aggression. Flynn also explores military education's role in fostering regional cooperation and the significance of joint operations in enhancing military readiness against emerging threats, showcasing the evolving strategies in the area.

Tom Carrico, Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, shares insights on the recent Iranian missile and drone attacks against Israel. He delves into the impressive effectiveness of Israel's air defense, including the Iron Dome, and the collaborative efforts of coalition forces. Carrico explains the complexities of command and control in missile defense operations and discusses the evolution of military strategies in the face of modern threats. The conversation highlights critical lessons for future U.S. defense efforts against evolving air and missile challenges.

Seth Johnston, a U.S. Army officer and NATO expert, dives into the alliance's 75-year history and adaptation. He discusses the transformation of NATO from its Cold War origins to its crucial role after 9/11. Johnston highlights the challenges of burden sharing and the significance of the 2% GDP spending guideline. He reflects on NATO's adaptability to geopolitical changes and emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the alliance in today’s security landscape. Tune in for insights on European strategic autonomy and the enduring commitment to collective defense!

Sandor Fabian, a retired Hungarian Special Operations Forces officer with a PhD, dives into the vital role of resistance as a defense strategy for small states. He discusses the vulnerability of these nations amid larger aggressors, emphasizing the importance of adapting military approaches to enhance resistance capabilities. Key topics include the evolving defense strategies in urban settings, the tension between NATO's interoperability goals and small states' specific needs, and the implications for U.S. Special Forces in modern conflict.

W. J. “Bill” Hennigan, lead writer for the New York Times series 'At the Brink,' dives deep into the complexities of nuclear weapons. He highlights the rising danger of tactical nuclear arms during the Ukraine conflict and discusses the evolving landscape of nuclear deterrence. Hennigan shares insights on the formation of a ‘tiger team’ aimed at improving crisis management strategies. He emphasizes the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and advocates for collaborative decision-making to mitigate the risks of unilateral nuclear launch authority.

The Houthi movement in Yemen has launched dozens of attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea in recent months. Over the same period, militant groups have attacked US forces in the Middle East as many as 160 times—including the deadly drone attack against a base on Jordan’s border with Syria. And cross-border strikes between Hezbollah, operating from its southern Lebanon base, and Israeli forces have increased. All of this has occurred since Israel began its campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks. And all of these groups have strong relationships with Iran. But how should we understand this complex array of combatant groups and their employment by Tehran? More directly, how should the US government respond to these groups’ actions? To explore these questions, this episode features a conversation with Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council.

While Ukraine's international supporters have provided equipment to enable the country's defense against Russia's aggression for nearly two years, global actors have also responded on a completely separate front—putting in place a massive sanctions regime targeting Russia. What effect have they had on Russia and its ability to make war? More broadly, how do sanctions and other instruments of economic statecraft fit within the United States' foreign and security policy? To explore those questions, John Amble is joined on this episode by Edward Fishman, a former government official who worked extensively on sanctions policy and is now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.