Best Irregular Warfare Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 071 "The Devil's Thermostat: Turning Up the Heat on American Civil War" 1:00:43

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3h ago1:00:43

1:00:43

This episode examines civil war manifesting itself in the US and the world over the next few years and makes a forecast on how close we are on the doomsday clock of civil war on American soil. The probability and possibility of civil kinetic conflict in the US is closer than in decades.. My Storming America Series covers the gamut of what a spontan…

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Future of War Part I: Raiders at the Edge of Tomorrow 49:37

1h ago49:37

49:37

Episode 135 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast kicks off a four-part series on the future of war, pairing renowned author and futurist August Cole with senior special operations leaders to explore how tomorrow’s conflicts may unfold. Our conversation centers on Cole’s short story Safe Harbor II, which envisions Marine Raiders operating in a near-futu…

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Is Irregular Warfare America’s Blind Spot? 54:56

8d ago54:56

54:56

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the GNSI At the Boundary podcast, USF’s Dr. Rob Burrell is joined by Colonel Dave Maxwell (Ret.), of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and the Global Peace Foundation, and Lieutenant General Charles T. Cleveland (Ret.) to examine the future of the American way of irregular warfare…

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

16d 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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Austronesian Identity as “Networked Deterrence” in the Indo-Pacific 6:26

2h ago6:26

6:26

This episode explores how Austronesian identity strengthens networked deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. From cultural exchanges to security cooperation, learn how heritage and trust can counter China’s gray zone strategies and build resilience among regional allies.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Countering the Swarm: America’s Drone Deterrence Strategy 46:22

4h ago46:22

46:22

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! 🎙️ At the Boundary reaches its 100th episode with a critical conversation on one of the fastest-growing threats in modern warfare: drones. Host Jim Cardoso is joined by Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn and Molly Campbell to explore why the U.S. must urgently rethink its counter-drone strategies—before it’s too lat…

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Episode 20: Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects 1:25:28

39m ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Guest Craig Whiteside and co-host Tim Hoyt join Dave Brown to discuss a recent book on Special Operations capabilities being developed by violent non-state actors, including various militants, mercenaries, and even criminal organizations. Join us for this discussion on the growing and emerging capabilities of the dark side of international security…

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Old Transformers, New Threats: Is America’s Power Grid at Risk 25:14

7d ago25:14

25:14

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Are America's Transformers the Weak Link in National Security? In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, GNSI’s Lt Col John "JAY" Patrich, an MQ-9 pilot and National Security Research Fellow at the GNSI, sits down with Jesse Humpal, Ph.D., an Air Force officer currently serving in the Chief of St…

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Irregular Solutions for Irregular Threats: Maritime Lessons from Dutch Counterpiracy Operations in Colonial Indonesia 14:50

1h ago14:50

14:50

This episode explores how Dutch counterpiracy operations in colonial Indonesia shaped maritime strategy. We connect historical lessons to today’s challenges in piracy, irregular threats, and global shipping security.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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U.S. Naval Power at Risk? Inside America’s Shipbuilding Crisis 50:16

9d ago50:16

50:16

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! The U.S. once built 90% of the world’s ships—today, it produces less than 1%. What went wrong, and can America reclaim maritime dominance? In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with maritime expert Dr. Randall Gentry, the principal research scientist at CNA …

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Ep 070 "Bolivar's Revenge: The Venezuelan Tar Pit and American Ambition" 1:02:11

22h ago1:02:11

1:02:11

We examine the emerging Venezuelan kerfuffle. There are many currents and undercurrents in the latest incipient war debacle in America history. This will be a disaster for America if it clacks off and; expect the American government to make this a preamble to go kinetic on the drug war generally and the following catastrophes. I covered this in det…

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The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan 46:23

11d ago46:23

46:23

Episode 134 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the rising risks of conflict over Taiwan and how the United States and its allies can strengthen deterrence against Beijing. Our guests begin by assessing why deterrence is faltering globally, from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how those events inform …

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Episode 19: Maritime Sabotage: The Hidden War Underseas 1:11:54

6d ago1:11:54

1:11:54

Guests James Langan, Andrew Rolander, and co-host Jahara ‘Franky’ Matisek join Dave Brown to discuss Maritime Sabotage; the deliberate targeting of undersea, pipelines, ports and energy hubs. It’s a story of hidden infrastructure, high stakes and shadowy actors who operate just below the threshold of open war – i.e., maritime irregular warfare. Art…

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

27d 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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Winning Without Fighting: Economic Power and Information Warfare (Part 2) 38:36

18d 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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Preparing for the Silent Surge: Countering North Korea’s Gambit in a Dual Contingency 12:51

28d 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

22d 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

1M 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

22d 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

22d 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

30d 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

1M 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

1M 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

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

1M 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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Boko Haram and Beyond: The Paradox of Local Militias in Nigeria's War on Terror 11:08

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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…