By Tobias Bernard Switzer, the Editorial Director of the Irregular Warfare Initiative

When a new American president takes office on January 20th, they will confront a dangerous national security environment shaped by Irregular Warfare (IW) challenges. From cyber warfare and gray zone conflicts to terrorism and insurgency, these challenges demand immediate, actionable solutions.

The Irregular Warfare Initiative invites you to contribute fresh, pragmatic, and non-partisan policy recommendations to help shape the next administration’s approach to these threats. We welcome contributions from practitioners, policymakers, and academics alike.

The announcement and further details can be found at this link.

If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.

Until next time,

Keep Warfare Irregular

by Dalton T. Fuss, a US Army Special Forces Officer, and Nakissa P. Jahanbani, a senior analyst at the Afghanistan War Commission, as a part of Project Proxies and Partners

This essay examines the shortcomings in U.S. strategies against the Wagner Group and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It highlights two key issues: these groups' ability to operate in obscure regions with little scrutiny, and the U.S. government's poor coordination of its national assets. The authors argue that adversaries like Russia and Iran employ more cohesive approaches combining soft and hard power, while the U.S. struggles with a fragmented strategy. They call for improved inter-agency coordination, increased international awareness, and a multifaceted approach to counter these groups' influence in vulnerable regions.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government.

The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website.

If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.

Until next time,

Keep Warfare Irregular

by Dalton T. Fuss, a US Army Special Forces Officer, and Nakissa P. Jahanbani, a senior analyst at the Afghanistan War Commission, as a part of Project Proxies and Partners

This essay, the first installment of a two-part series, examines successful US counterstrategies against the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Russian Wagner Group. It focuses on two key approaches: leveraging open-source intelligence to expose these organizations' structures and operations, and utilizing direct military force when necessary. The authors highlight the similarities between these state-affiliated non-state actors, their methods of operation, and the challenges they pose to US interests. By analyzing these successes, the article provides valuable insights for policymakers, military strategists, and intelligence officials dealing with similar threats in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The piece emphasizes the importance of adaptability, innovation, and coordinated efforts across various instruments of national power in effectively countering these shadowy organizations, while also noting the ongoing challenges the US faces in presenting a unified front against such adversaries. This first part sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the topic in the subsequent installment.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government.

The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website.

If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.

Until next time,

Keep Warfare Irregular