Taiwan's defense strategy against a potential cross-strait invasion from China is widely known as the "porcupine defense," which aims to deny or significantly degrade a rapid ground assault. In a discussion hosted by Tom Galvin, Ying-Chie Hsieh and Pete Roongsang examine Taiwan’s “whole-of-society” resilience program. Their research focuses on three major defense policies enacted since 2022: strengthening the Reserve Component Initiative, reforming the military force structure and people's defense and establishing the Whole of Society Defense Committee. The conversation stressed the urgent need for greater innovation, synchronization, and speed in preparing Taiwan's defense. This includes aligning U.S. security assistance with Taiwan's domestic efforts, specifically by using training alternatives like simulation systems and developing a robust domestic unmanned aerial vehicle industry—to be ready in time.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/porcupine-defense
Author and U.S. Army War College Assistant Professor Grant Golub is in the studio with guest host Jadwiga Biskupksa to discuss his new book, Warriors in Washington: Henry Stimson, the US Army, and the Politics of American Power in World War II. Grant examines the role of Secretary of War Henry Stimson during World War II. He argues that Stimson and his team transformed the War Department from a dysfunctional bureaucracy into a powerful political actor and an energetic player in the Roosevelt administration. The book uses Stimson as a lens to explore the origins of the military's rising influence over foreign policy. This transformation allowed Stimson to successfully push for a more interventionist foreign policy and secure a central voice for the Army in government decision-making.
General Gary Brito, the 18th and final commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), is in the studio to discuss the Army's ongoing "continuous transformation." He sits down with Editor-in-Chief JP Clark to examine the ambitious process led by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army Randy George. They also discuss the TRADOC merger with the Army Futures Command to form the new Transformation and Training Command, or T2COM. Driven by the quickly evolving modern battlefield and advancements of adversaries, General Brito emphasizes that success depends on professional leaders at all levels driving change to ensure the Army is ready to fight and win.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/transformation-training
During the administration of President Bill Clinton, Strobe Talbott, a close friend and confidante, served as Deputy Secretary of State. Historian Stephan Kieninger joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss his new book, Securing Peace in Europe: Strobe Talbott, NATO and Russia after the Cold War. Kieninger explains that Talbott consistently pursued both NATO enlargement and engagement with a reformed Russia, believing these two goals were not contradictory. The discussion highlights the differing approaches between the United States and Europe in engaging with Russia, a dynamic that continues to be relevant in current events.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/the-eternal-task
One of the many diverse educational opportunities at the U.S. Army War College are specialized seminars that deep-dive into specific areas of interest. Kurt McDowell and Mike Smith participated in the AY25 Futures Seminar, and they're in the studio with host Darrell Driver to discuss their findings. Sponsored by the J-7, Lieutenant General Anderson, the seminar was tasked with exploring innovation for maneuver warfare in 2040. , McDowell, Smith and the team advocate for an "elastic mindset" and "effectual logic," a means-based approach that focuses on what's available, rather than a traditional causal, end-state approach. They contrast this with the military's current high-certainty planning scenarios, which are often based on specific threats like Russia and China.
The Battle of Mogadishu, known by many as "Black Hawk Down," lasted roughly 18 hours and cost the lives of 18 Americans and one Malaysian, along with many more allied troops wounded. Somali casualties were far higher, with some estimates nearing 700 dead or injured. Jonathan Carroll, author of Beyond Black Hawk Down, points out that this was just one day in a nearly two-and-a-half-year operation. He joins host and Editor-in-Chief JP Clark to discuss what he has deemed the most ambitious attempt in history to rebuild a nation—the first country to be called a "failed state" after a brutal civil war. Carroll concludes that Somalia offers crucial lessons on the need for a clear strategy and that the events there foreshadowed challenges later faced in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. First Army partners with the Army Reserve and National Guard to help them prepare for their missions. Melissa Sayers, the director of First Army's operational data team, discusses the mission of an operational research systems analyst (ORSA) and the importance of creating a data-centric military. She joins host Tom Spahr in the virtual studio to explain how her team uses a cloud-based platform called Vantage to provide leaders with a "single pane of glass" view of friendly forces, including data on equipment, personnel, and finances. She emphasizes the importance of leadership empowerment and building trust to drive collaboration and cultural change within a large organization.
Here are the links to some of the resources Melissa mentions and recommends:
KM Data Immersion Course: https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/TR-CAC-MCCoE-KMQC/SitePages/Knowledge-Manager%27s-Data-Immersion-Course.aspx
Blue Pane: https://vantage.army.mil/workspace/module/view/latest/ri.workshop.main.module.59f9417a-cfaa-482b-b0d0-460f83a74724(NIPR Only)
The videos walking you through Blue Pane are on the "About" tab of Blue Pane.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/seamless-systems
Every August, a fresh new cohort of students arrives on Carlisle Barracks to attend the resident course at the U.S. Army War College. The goal is to educate and develop these senior military and civilian leaders to serve at the strategic level, enhancing national and global security. Maria Gregory shares her hard-won tips for success with host Liz Woodworth. Maria began the 2024-2025 academic year feeling apprehensive but by the end felt transformed (for the best!) Maria hopes the lessons she learned during the "Carlisle Experience" might help others to make the most of the opportunities available during their own studies.
And for all those students that have just arrived be sure to check out our special Back to School series for more incredibly useful information like you'll find here.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/apprehensive-to-accomplished
Sapriya McLendon, a 2024 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, joins host Tom Spahr in the virtual studio to discuss her command of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) (MIB-T). The 513th MIB-T plays a critical role in providing the ground intelligence picture for CENTCOM, a task they've honed over two decades of continuous engagement in the Middle East. Their conversation delves into the unique aspects of the 513th MIB-T, including its data-centric organization and innovative use of data to enhance efficiency in both business operations and warfighting tasks.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/ai-ready-defense
Frank Sobchak, a retired Special Forces colonel and author of Training for Victory: Special Forces Advisory Missions from El Salvador to Afghanistan, joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the complexities of security force assistance (SFA). Their conversation delves into the challenges of measuring success in advisory missions and avoiding deeper U.S. combat commitments. Frank's research, based on five case studies (El Salvador, the Philippines, Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan), identifies key variables influencing SFA success. He cites including advisor language and cultural awareness, advisor-to-host nation ratio, consistency in advisor pairing, combat advising, and the ability to organize host nation units. He emphasized that while not all factors need to be perfectly aligned, a majority must be in place for a mission to succeed.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/training-for-victory
It's the time of the year when we feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. This episode features Christiana Crawford, Jody Daigle, and Amanda Raney as they examine the complex relationship between the United States and China. They joined podcast editor Ron Granieri to share their different yet complementary perspectives. Christiana emphasized the military's goal is to build strength to preserve peace, Jody drew parallels to the Peloponnesian War by highlighting fear, honor, and interest as drivers of conflict, and Amanda discussed the inherent tension of competing with China while also collaborating with it in critical fields like medicine. The speakers agreed that this complex relationship, full of both cooperation and competition, must be carefully managed.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/partner-and-competitor
It’s the time of the year when we feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. This episode features Erik Sarson and Anna Scott as they examine the strength and importance of allies and partners. Erik is an Army Special Forces officer in the West Virginia National Guard, and he shared insights from his experience with the State Partnership Program. Anna is a British Army officer, and she speaks about the "special relationship" between the UK and the U.S., highlighting the significance of soft power and shared values. They join host Ron Granieri to highlight the positive reception from their audiences, noting a general understanding and curiosity about the future of alliances, even when addressing potential disagreements.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/allies-and-influence
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
How do cyber vulnerabilities impact modern warfare and statecraft? Craig Booth argues that the effectiveness of coercion, which relies on both the power to impose costs and the credibility of the threat, is weakened by vulnerabilities in digital and networked weapon systems. He joins host Darrell Driver to discuss how if an adversary believes they can hack, jam, or hijack U.S. capabilities, the ability to project power and influence their behavior diminishes. Booth notes that cyber risk is not merely a technical problem but a strategic vulnerability, and cyber resilience must be treated as a fundamental pillar of modern deterrence before it erodes national leverage.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/cyber-and-coercion
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
In the second half of their two-part episode, host Tom Spahr and Sean Shields discuss the Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina. Shields details his experience leading the 20th Engineer Brigade and the critical importance of collaborating with other organizations like FEMA, the National Guard, and local officials. He notes this was a real-world application of his Army War College studies on defense support to civil authorities. The mission also marked the first use of the Maven system on an unclassified network, which provided a crucial, real-time common operating picture for all involved stakeholders.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/castle-part-2
Go check out the podcasts Sean mentioned:
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
In response to the Western Front-like stalemate seen in the Ukraine war, the U.S. Army is getting innovative. Sean Shields, commander of the 20th Engineer Brigade, joins host Tom Spahr to discuss his unit's "Sand Hills Project," an initiative born from observing the mobility challenges faced by Ukrainian forces. The project’s goal is to figure out how to breach modern, complex obstacle belts and restore maneuver to the battlefield, all while keeping soldiers out of harm's way. To achieve this, the project utilizes cheap, expendable, and scalable robotic ground and air vehicles to overwhelm and reduce enemy defenses. This is part one of a two-part series about the 20th Engineer Brigade.
Go check out the podcasts Sean mentioned:
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/castle-pt-1
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
From late 2024 to early 2025, numerous unidentified drones were reported over U.S. cities and military bases. While some of these "mystery craft" were later attributed to FAA-authorized research and other purposes, their presence highlighted the potential threat and vulnerability of defense and infrastructure facilities. Paul Lushenko, chief strategist for the U.S. military's Joint Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO), joined host Tom Spahr to discuss these concerns. Lushenko also underscored the ongoing efforts to refine doctrine, training, and policy to effectively address the evolving challenge posed by unmanned aircraft systems.
Here are the articles co-authored by Paul Lushenko mentioned in the show:
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/vulnerable-skies
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
In May 2025, the U.S. Army War College hosted its fourth annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. The event featured General Xavier Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, as the keynote speaker. In a discussion with host Tom Spahr, General Brunson shared insights into his demanding role and the critical strategic importance of the Korean Peninsula. He underscored the necessity of reviving the "emotion" that motivated international support for South Korea during the Korean War. General Brunson also emphasized the delicate balance between maintaining a "fight tonight" readiness and continuously modernizing forces to counter advancements in North Korean and Chinese military technology.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/brunson
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches. Applications for the fellowship will open this summer, and further information can be found at www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Harding.
Despite the fact that so many of them make it look easy, the daily lives of senior U.S. military leaders can be incredibly demanding. Laura Weimer examined how senior leaders manage their well-being (or, at times, struggle to do so) amidst these demanding careers, and she’s in the studio with host JP Clark to share her discoveries. Drawing from her research, Weimer highlighted the unique pressures of senior roles, including frequent relocations, intense scrutiny, and the weight of consequential decisions. She also discussed the inevitable challenges of mid-life, such as caring for aging parents and navigating evolving family dynamics, which compound work-related stress. Weimer’s key takeaway? Developing a strong sense of identity, meaning, and purpose is essential for fostering resilience and sustaining leadership effectiveness.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/resilience-and-effectiveness
Links to resources referenced by Laura in the episode:
Joe Byerly, “Learning to Live a Halfway Interesting Life,” From the Green Notebook (March 19, 2025) https://fromthegreennotebook.com/2025/03/19/learning-to-live-a-halfway-interesting-life/
Briana Barker Caza, Lakshmi Ramarajan, Erin Reid, and Stephanie Creary. "How to Make Room in Your Work Life for the Rest of Your Self." Harvard Business Review (May 30, 2018), https://hbr.org/2018/05/how-to-make-room-in-your-work-life-for-the-rest-of-your-self
Cal Newport, “The Most Important Piece of Career Advice You Probably Never Heard,” Cal Newport, May 21, 2008, https://calnewport.com/the-most-important-piece-of-career-advice-you-probably-never-heard/
Nick Craig and Scott A. Snook. 2014. “From Purpose to Impact.” Harvard Business Review, May. https://hbr.org/2014/05/from-purpose-to-impact.
Arthur C. Brooks, From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life (Penguin, 2022).
Simon Sinek, "The Cure for Loneliness with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy," A Bit of Optimism Podcast, 7 January 2025. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wnHgVpkuX0i4CdCEHSFkg?si=c58cf2607d274eb7
This is restricted access (academic):
Herminia Ibarra, “Provisional Selves: Experimenting with Image and Identity in Professional Adaptation.” Administrative Science Quarterly 44 (4) (1999): 764–91. https://doi.org/10.2307/2667055.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/resilience-and-effectiveness
Harding Project, a Chief of Staff of the Army initiative to revitalize professional military writing, shared details about the brand-new Harding Fellowship. This program is designed to equip Army leaders to shape professional discourse by enabling them to earn a graduate degree while editing their branch journal. The program is open to Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s from select branches.
In a previous episode, we highlighted the Annual Army War College Strategy Competition. This week, host Tom Galvin speaks with a team from the Carlisle Scholars Program that used the competition as the opportunity to experiment with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for strategy formulation. Josh Aldred, Claudio Blardone, Robby Haugh, and Adam Schultz share their expectations and what actually happened and take-aways. Ultimately, the results underscored AI's potential to improve strategic planning, while also highlighting the continued importance of human oversight and ongoing training.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/ai-in-strategy
To view the AI models Josh Aldred mention you can find them here:
The GOAT Strategic Planner https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67f932232678819180a1405b5d0ebe58-the-goat-strategic-planner
The dashboard tool used to model the current situation in Kashmir: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/a0dec892-26ca-4964-93b0-e00085ba0582.
Each year, while the military senior service schools compete upon the fields of friendly strife in the event known as Jim Thorpe Sports Days, the U.S. Army War College hosts a different kind of contest: The Annual Army War College Strategy Competition. This contest pits teams from various U.S. military education institutions, international war colleges, and civilian universities against each other to see who can develop the best strategies to solve complex real-world national security problems.
Celestino Perez, the creator of the competition, joins host JP Clark to discuss this year's event, which included teams from 7 U.S. professional military education schools, the Australian War College, the French Ecole de Guerre, West Point, and five civilian universities.
Perez highlights that the competition is less about winning and more about the learning process. It’s a chance for students to learn from each other, from faculty, and from a diverse group of judges, including top military and academic minds.
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/strategy-competition
