Best Irregular Warfare Podcasts (2025)

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The History of U.S.-Iranian Irregular Warfare 15:55

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2d ago15:55

15:55

This podcast explores the complex history of U.S.-Iranian irregular warfare. From the 1953 coup and Iranian Revolution to cyberattacks, proxy conflicts, and the twilight war, Dr. Lumpy Lumbaca examines how unconventional tactics shaped today’s geopolitical landscape.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Winning Without Fighting: Economic Power and Information Warfare (Part 2) 38:36

6d ago38:36

38:36

Episode 133 is the second installment in our two-part series exploring how the United States can leverage non-kinetic instruments of power to compete effectively without resorting to military force. Building on our previous discussion, our guests examine America's strategic blind spots in treating economics and information as support tools rather t…

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Ep 069 "The CG Mailbag: Question Time and the Backbenchers Lament" 1:04:06

25d ago1:04:06

1:04:06

It's been quite some time since I have responded to "mail" so I have curated five questions to address:. What are your personal weapons of choice: rifle or pistol. How do you fix the defense acquisition system? Is the American military really in terminal collapse. Storming America; is it still coming to the US. Is America headed to civil war? I'll …

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Inside the Golden Dome: Can the U.S. Stop Missiles in Space? 49:22

3d ago49:22

49:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system. Announced by the Trump administr…

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Preparing for the Silent Surge: Countering North Korea’s Gambit in a Dual Contingency 12:51

7d ago12:51

12:51

This episode explores how North Korean irregular warfare could unfold in a dual contingency with China, threatening U.S., Japanese, and South Korean security. We discuss SOF tactics, sabotage scenarios, lessons from Ukraine, and why resilience must become a strategic priority.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Rebuilding Combat Electromagnetic Warfare for U.S. Ground Forces 14:26

9d ago14:26

14:26

This episode explores the future of combat electromagnetic warfare and why U.S. ground forces must modernize to meet the growing threat from Russia and China. From the lessons of the “Wild Bill” prototype to a reimagined CEWI 2.0, discover how spectrum dominance will define success in irregular and conventional conflicts.…

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What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Understanding the Taliban to Shape U.S. Policy 48:51

12d ago48:51

48:51

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, Arman Mahmoudian, PhD, interviews Marvin G. Weinbaum, PhD, who is senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drawing on his recent article, “Our Knowledge …

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Ep 019 "Power Failure: A Thought Experiment on US Expeditionary Vulnerability" 57:44

10d ago57:44

57:44

Effective June 2025, I did a major improved revision on the sound quality for all my WarNotes episodes retroactively thanks to the technology at Podsworth. The banal and humble generator set is a secret to destroying US combat power. I wanted to flesh out a thought experiment on the vulnerabilities of the US war machine in its expeditionary mode in…

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Democratized Intelligence: How Open-Source Intelligence is Reshaping Asymmetric Advantage 15:33

10d ago15:33

15:33

In this episode, we explore how open-source intelligence (OSINT) is transforming global security. From Bellingcat’s investigations to the OSINT revolution, discover how non-state actors now challenge state dominance in intelligence, reshape irregular warfare, and shift the balance of information power.…

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Did Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine? 48:48

17d ago48:48

48:48

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Sy…

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Winning Without Fighting: Strategic Culture and Gray Zone Competition (Part 1) 37:52

20d ago37:52

37:52

Episode 132 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores how strategic culture shapes approaches to irregular warfare and competition in the gray zone. This is part one of a two-part series examining why nations conceptualize irregular warfare differently and how cultural biases affect competition below the threshold of armed conflict. Our guests disc…

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Russia’s Shadow Fleet: The Dangerous Tanker Network Threatening Global Waters 16:05

25d ago16:05

16:05

Explore how Russia’s Shadow Fleet has evolved from a sanctions workaround into a weapon of irregular warfare. This podcast unpacks how aging, uninsured tankers exploit legal gaps to spread environmental risks, destabilize critical waterways, and challenge global maritime security. Learn why targeting the fleet’s enabling infrastructure—not just the…

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Syria After Assad: What Led Here and What Lies Ahead 45:30

24d ago45:30

45:30

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Joining us again is Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where his research focuses on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. In this episode of At the Boundary, Lister breaks down both the history and the sequence of even…

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Boko Haram and Beyond: The Paradox of Local Militias in Nigeria's War on Terror 11:08

29d ago11:08

11:08

This episode examines the rise of local militias in Nigeria, their role in combating Boko Haram, and the risks of escalating violence and alternative governance.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Reclaiming U.S. Engagement in Latin America: Strategy Beyond Competition 17:18

1M ago17:18

17:18

In this episode, we explore why revitalizing the U.S.-Latin America strategic partnership is crucial for countering external influence, combating transnational crime, and strengthening democratic institutions across the region.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Preparing for Tomorrow’s Wars: Resilience, Resistance in the 21st Century 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Rob Burrell, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, about GNSI’s new research initiative on the Future of Warfare. Dr. Burrell also introduces his upcom…

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Space and Ice: Envisioning Special Operations Forces’ Role in Future Operational Environments 16:38

1M ago16:38

16:38

In this episode, we explore the future of Special Operations Forces, examining their potential roles in space and the Arctic. Learn how a Space Joint Terminal Attack Controller (SJTAC) and “reverse” security force assistance from Nordic allies could redefine NATO’s ability to fight and win in extreme environments.…

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Can BRICS Gold Reserves Challenge the US Dollar? 24:54

1M ago24:54

24:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings." They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, In…

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Ep 018 "American Military Stalemate and Defeat: A Sterling Record" 1:01:30

1M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

I discuss the thumbnail sketches of US military failure since the end of WWI and try to elucidate some of the reasons for the failure and the existential threat this cavalcade of calamities is to 21st century America if the ship of state doesn't reverse course. This a a dangerous time for America to continue its bad habits of wars of choice and all…

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Development or Dependence? Rethinking China’s Economic Playbook in the Americas 18:12

2M ago18:12

18:12

In this episode, we explore how China’s expanding economic footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean is reshaping the region's sovereignty and strategy. From deepwater ports to vaccine diplomacy, we unpack the tactics behind Beijing’s influence and what policymakers can do to push back.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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What's Next for Afghanistan: U.S. Interests or Compromise with the Taliban? 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s the U.S. endgame in Afghanistan now—and what role does the Taliban really play? In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schroden, a non-resident fellow at the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), to explore how U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanista…

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Security Hybridization: U.S., China, and the Future of Global Security Assistance 54:55

2M ago54:55

54:55

Episode 131 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the growing phenomenon of "security hybridization," where countries receive simultaneous security assistance from both the United States and the People’s Republic of China. While the U.S. tends to emphasize regional defense, interoperability, and support for the global commons, China focuses on …

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Political Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins u…

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Ep 068 "The Military Drone Revolution: Make All Flesh Forfeit" 59:44

2M ago59:44

59:44

Despite what you are told by the mainstream news sources in the media, the drone war is here to stay and it will be the most significant war modality for the next generation. It has literally exposed all ground troops and the exquisite platforms the West relies upon in war-making for detailed neutralization and destruction. In concert with the demo…

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Hezbollah’s Hybrid Model Under Strain: Relative Decline and the Evolving Dynamics of Irregular Warfare in Lebanon 14:28

2M ago14:28

14:28

In this audio version, we examine how Hezbollah’s hybrid warfare model is unraveling under the strain of leadership loss, reduced Iranian support, political shifts in Lebanon, and exposure to illicit trade. The episode dissects how irregular warfare theory applies to Hezbollah’s relative decline and why this matters for global security.…

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Exploring African Perspectives on Irregular Warfare 15:57

2M ago15:57

15:57

This episode explores African perspectives on irregular warfare based on a new study by the U.S. Irregular Warfare Center. Drawing on interviews with defense leaders from Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, and Zambia, we discuss how these nations define IW, what threats they face, and how colonial history and regional instability shape modern conflic…

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The History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the State 41:16

2M ago41:16

41:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore t…

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SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this urgent special episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Arman Mahmoudian offers in-depth, real-time analysis of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has now drawn in the United States. Following a U.S. and Israeli joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, …

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Operation Spider’s Web and the Future of Asymmetric Warfare 55:06

2M ago55:06

55:06

Episode 130 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast takes listeners inside Operation Spider’s Web—Ukraine’s bold campaign of long-range drone strikes targeting Russian military and industrial infrastructure. Our guests begin by examining why Ukrainian defense planners opted for this unprecedented strike operation and how it was designed to disrupt Russian…

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Preparedness and Parallels: Lessons in Crisis Preparedness from Sweden and Latin America 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

This podcast episode explores how Sweden’s civil defense handbook and Latin America’s disaster response strategies reveal critical lessons in national crisis preparedness. From irregular warfare awareness to community-based drills, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in security, resilience, and public policy.…

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Could the U.S. Bring Back the Draft? 42:44

2M ago42:44

42:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! It’s been over 50 years since the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force. But with rising threats from China, the demands of modern warfare, and persistent recruiting shortfalls, is it time to ask the unthinkable: Could the draft return? In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Dr. Guid…

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Ep 067 "The Mountains of Madness: Military Defeat and Terrain Part II" 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

This will be the first CG episode to get the complete audio upgrade and revision to achieve the cleanest sound ever for the podcast series. The WarNotes episode catalog has been completely re-fabbed using the new technology at Chris Williams' Podsworth. Let me know what you think. We discuss the latest missteps by the West in Iran. The recent Ameri…

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Putting Operation Spider’s Web in Context 14:11

2M ago14:11

14:11

In this podcast episode, we explore the long history of airfield raids and drone warfare, pushing back against the notion that modern tech revolutionizes war. Drawing on examples from WWII to the war in Ukraine, this article-turned-audio examines why understanding historical context is essential for grasping today’s military dynamics.…

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Once Upon a Proxy War: Chinese Support to the People’s Army of Vietnam 11:35

2M ago11:35

11:35

In this episode, we explore China’s indirect approach to the First Indochina War through Xiaobing Li’s Building Ho’s Army, analyzing how Beijing trained, armed, and advised North Vietnamese forces to defeat the French. The discussion dives into the strategic context of China's geostrategic encirclement, the PLA's pivotal role in military advising, …

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Can Deep Sea Mining Meet the World’s Critical Mineral Demand? 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Found over 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, polymetallic nodules may hold the key to powering the future. In this episode, Dr. Mark Luther, Director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab at USF and President Elect of the International Marine Mineral Society, joins us to explore how deep sea…

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Ep 066 "Civil War on the Horizon: The Empire Strikes Back" 1:06:16

3M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

This CG episode got the complete audio upgrade and revision to achieve the cleanest sound ever for the podcast series effective 22 June 2025 using the new technology at Chris Williams' Podsworth. This episode examines civil war manifesting itself in the world in the west in the 21st century and some of my modest forecasts of war weather in the next…

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Agile, Adaptable, AFSOC: Building Edge in Contested Skies 43:31

3M ago43:31

43:31

Episode 129 examines how Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is recalibrating for great-power competition while still answering today’s crisis-response and counter-VEO demands. Lieutenant General Michael E. Conley and Dr Kerry Chávez join the Irregular Warfare Podcast to unpack strategy, technology, and talent development at the sharp edge…

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The Balkans Model & Conditions for Peace in Ukraine 14:22

3M ago14:22

14:22

In this episode, we explore how historical lessons from the Balkan wars can inform Ukraine’s struggle for peace amid Russia’s hybrid warfare. We break down why irregular warfare—not just legal agreements—must guide any future resolution, and what steps Ukraine and its allies can take to build lasting resilience and sovereignty.…

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Cybersecurity Without Borders: USA and France 25:36

3M ago25:36

25:36

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Nicolas Sabouret of the University of Paris-Saclay joins GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to preview the upcoming Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity. Together, they explore how France and the U.S. approach cybersecurity—from technical expertise in cryptography and netw…

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Influence by Design: Reassessing U.S. Military Advising 15:23

3M ago15:23

15:23

This podcast explores why U.S. military advising missions succeed or fail, drawing on Frank Sobchak’s in-depth case studies from El Salvador to Afghanistan. We examine key variables such as advisor relationships, mission design, and institutional reform. Whether you're a policy expert or a military professional, this episode breaks down critical le…

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Does China’s Growing Security Outreach Matter? Tracing Implications for Irregular Warfare and U.S. Security Cooperation 11:44

3M ago11:44

11:44

This episode explores “security hybridization,” a growing global trend where states engage both the U.S. and China for different types of security support. We examine how this dual cooperation shapes policy, highlights contrasting approaches to internal versus external threats, and raises implications for practitioners working in irregular warfare …

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From Deep Sea to Deep Policy: What's Fueling the Modern Energy Race? 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman sits down with Milo McBride of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to explore one of the most consequential issues in global security today: the race for critical minerals and the future of energy transition. From solar and battery in…

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Ep 065 "Color Revolutions: Weaponizing Subterfuge" 51:42

3M ago51:42

51:42

This CG episode got the complete audio upgrade and revision to achieve the cleanest sound ever for the podcast series effective 22 June 2025 using the new technology at Chris Williams' Podsworth. We discuss coups, color revolutions and the changing face of political manipulation in the world. The world is not what it seems even in non-military poli…

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Five Years of IWI: From Podcast to Platform 1:03:12

3M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Episode 128 marks a special milestone as the Irregular Warfare Podcast celebrates its five-year anniversary. Our guests reflect on the journey from a simple podcast idea in a graduate school classroom to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 70 volunteers worldwide. They share the origin story of IWI, trace its evolution from podcast to comp…

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Episode 18: 25 Days to Aden; The Unknown Story of Arabian Elite Forces at War (a book series with Michael Knights) 1:04:37

3M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Guests Michael Knights and co-host Jane Stokes join Dave Brown to discuss the first book in a series detailing the outcome of a set of modern irregular warfare operations over control of Southern Yemen in 2015. The first book details the Yemeni Houthis’ attempts to take over the port of Aden in their coup against the UN-backed government of the cou…

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The Coalition You’ve Never Heard Of—But Can’t Afford to Ignore 36:50

3M ago36:50

36:50

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this Memorial Day edition of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Colonel Allan Peterson, the Danish senior national representative to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the new chairman of its 35-nation military coalition. Based in Tampa, Florida, this enduring coalition was born out of…

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Ep 064 "War and Remembrance: Drawing the Wrong Lessons" 55:21

3M ago55:21

55:21

This CG episode got the complete audio upgrade and revision to achieve the cleanest sound ever for the podcast series effective 22 June 2025 using the new technology at Chris Williams' Podsworth. Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the existential moral outrage and trail of tears American military might has draped over the planet since the end of t…

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Battlefield Medical Lessons from Ukraine: Adapting to Future Conflict 39:44

4M ago39:44

39:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Description: In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Tracey Pérez Koehlmoos—Director of the Center for Health Services Research and Doctoral Programs in Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University—to explore how lessons from the Ukraine war…

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Episode 17: The Janus Protocol: Drones – The New Face of Warfare 1:26:50

4M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Guests Nolan Peterson and Kateryna Bondar join host Dave Brown to discuss the rapid expansion of drone warfare across numerous conflict zones. Janus, the Roman God of new beginnings, symbolizes the change from one condition to another and from past to future. The two faces of Janus also represent transitions because he could see into the past with …