Best Irregular Warfare Podcasts (2025)

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Pirates or Proxies? The Uskoks of Senj and Their Lessons for Irregular Warfare 17:55

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10h ago17:55

17:55

In this episode, we explore the dramatic rise of the Uskoks of Senj—refugees turned maritime raiders—and how they became one of history’s earliest and most revealing examples of proxy warfare. Drawing parallels between their 17th-century operations and modern irregular warfare doctrine, this episode examines their underground networks, guerrilla ta…

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Ep 076 "Modern Antifa: Communist Insurgency in the US Part Five (Conclusions)" 1:03:34

2d ago1:03:34

1:03:34

I offer my scorched earth solutions to fighting Antifa and communism in the US.. America is in a Civil War with a major political party and its blacked-shirted paramilitary arm going from cold to hot war. Prepare accordingly. Part Four at Episode 075 Part Three at Episode 074 Part Two at Episode 073 Part One at Episode 072. I did a primer on cell o…

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Codifying Irregular Warfare—Inside the Pentagon’s new DoD Instruction 3000.07 47:55

11d ago47:55

47:55

Episode 142 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast features Dr. Jonathan Schroden, Mick Crnkovich, and Dave Maxwell for a deep dive into the Pentagon’s new irregular warfare policy instruction—DoD Instruction 3000.07—and what it signals about how the U.S. military understands, organizes for, and competes in irregular conflict. The discussion opens with w…

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Holiday Replay: Veterans Without Orders 28:39

2h ago28:39

28:39

Welcome to the One CA Podcast, a product of the Civil Affairs Association. As we take a brief pause this December, we’re revisiting some of this year's most impactful episodes, conversations that highlight the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations through the voices of military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents.…

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Collision in the Dark: Wasp–Hobson and Command at Sea 35:37

20h ago35:37

35:37

On a moonless Atlantic night in 1952, routine carrier operations turned into catastrophe when the USS Wasp and her plane guard destroyer USS Hobson collided during a turn into the wind. In minutes, the Hobson was torn apart and over 170 sailors were lost. This extended version of our written article explores how doctrine, fatigue, and split-second …

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Is America’s Military Too Dependent on Contractors? The Battle Over Right to Repair 40:44

5h ago40:44

40:44

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with Terry Guild, a former senior U.S. Army intelligence officer with a 30–year military career and five years of experience in the defense industry at CAE and Intrinsic Ventures. Together, they unpack one of the most co…

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Strategic Disruption from Orbit: Space-Based Capabilities for Irregular Warfare in the Indo-Pacific 14:49

6d ago14:49

14:49

This episode covers a deep-dive exploration of how space-based capabilities for irregular warfare can transform security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The podcast examines how satellites, AI-enabled analysis, and commercial space data expose gray-zone activity, enhance maritime surveillance, strengthen partner resilience, and shape narrative com…

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Drones Before Drones: Balloons, the Kettering Bug, and UAS Ancestry 34:46

8d ago34:46

34:46

From the smoke-filled skies above Fleurus in 1794 to the buzzing wooden Kettering Bug of 1918, militaries have long searched for ways to see and strike without risking pilots. Balloons, target drones, and early reconnaissance craft were fragile, often flawed, yet each altered the rhythm of warfare by extending vision and reach. This extended podcas…

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254: Iran’s Criminal Playbook. Sam Cooper on Cartels, Diaspora Networks, and Strategic Evasion 19:37

8d ago19:37

19:37

Investigative journalist Sam Cooper returns to the One CA Podcast to expose how Iran weaponizes criminality to advance foreign policy goals. From Hezbollah’s business affairs unit to fentanyl super-labs in Canada, Cooper traces the global footprint of Iranian-linked networks—intertwined with Chinese triads, Mexican cartels, and diaspora businessmen…

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Gray Zone Clarity: Building Irregular Maritime Intelligence through Civilian-Linked Networks 13:44

8d ago13:44

13:44

This episode explores how civilian-linked maritime intelligence can shift the balance in gray zone competition. It explains why local observers, when connected to regional analytic hubs, can generate faster attribution, reduce ambiguity, and strengthen partner decision cycles. Through examples from the Pacific Fusion Centre to the 2024 Second Thoma…

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America’s “Golden Dome”: Can the U.S. Actually Stop a Nuclear Strike? 27:23

8d ago27:23

27:23

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, retired four-star General Frank McKenzie joins USF’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to break down one of the most pressing national security questions today: Can the United States build a true “Golden Dome” to defend the homeland from nuclear missile attack? Together, they explor…

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The Arsenal Behind the Lines: Combat Engineers as War-Makers 38:15

15d ago38:15

38:15

Combat engineers have long been the arsenal behind the lines, shaping victory in ways that rarely make the history books. From minefield breaches to river crossings, from urban rubble turned into strongholds to lifelines of supply carved under fire, their work determined the tempo of campaigns and the fate of armies. This episode is an extended ver…

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253: Ambiguity and Influence: SFC Chase Penner on Military Deception and PSYO 22:42

15d ago22:42

22:42

In this episode of One CA Podcast, LTC Brian Hancock sits down with Sergeant First Class Chase Penner—Information Operations planner at USAREUR-AF and former PSYOP Team Sergeant—to explore the art and science of military deception. From ambiguity techniques to tactical deception, SFC Penner's decision-making is from Moldova. With a background in st…

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Are Florida’s Ports Prepared? Inside the State’s Growing Maritime Security Risks 48:31

15d ago48:31

48:31

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the At The Boundary podcast, senior director of the GNSI, Jim Cardoso, sat down for a roundtable discussion with Mark Luther, an Associate Professor at USF and the Director for the Center of Maritime and Port Studies, Mark DuPont, the Executive Director of the National Maritime Law E…

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Ep 075 "Modern Antifa: Communist Insurgency in the US Part Four" 57:24

16d ago57:24

57:24

I further examine the educational feeder mechanism for communist and terrorist insurgency that is Antifa and its affiliated organizations both governmental and non-government. In this third episode, I examine the pedagogical origins of government supremacist ideology in American schools. America is in a Civil War with a major political party and it…

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Chance and Necessity: Evolving the Supporting Role of SOF to Cyber Operations 12:53

19d ago12:53

12:53

In this episode, we examine the evolving role of USSOF cyber operations. From lessons in Ukraine to integrating technology and industry partnerships, learn how Special Operations can enhance strategic outcomes and maintain relevance in modern conflict.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Resistance is Victory: Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report and Resisting Cognitive Coercion 15:24

20d ago15:24

15:24

In this episode, we explore Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report and its powerful shift toward national resistance, cognitive resilience, and irregular deterrence. Learn how Taiwan confronts PRC gray zone harassment, cognitive warfare, and narrative manipulation while strengthening societal resilience, military readiness, and whole-of-nation defen…

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Sabotage as a “New Normal” 12:42

21d ago12:42

12:42

This episode explores how Russian sabotage in Europe has evolved into a defining feature of the continent’s security landscape. Drawing on recent incidents—from attacks on undersea cables to arson targeting political figures—the narrative examines why sabotage offers Moscow a low-risk, high-reward strategy. We break down misleading trends, the gig-…

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Mogadishu: The Night Urban Warfare Changed 38:41

22d ago38:41

38:41

In October 1993, a mission meant to last just ninety minutes unraveled into one of the most intense urban battles of modern times. Task Force Ranger entered Mogadishu with precision and confidence, only to face a city that turned every alley, rooftop, and crowd into a weapon. Helicopters fell from the sky, convoys became trapped in endless ambushes…

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252: The Art of the Possible: Joel Rubin on Turning Political Space into Policy 20:59

22d ago20:59

20:59

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin joins host Jack Gaines to unpack the gritty realities of legislative diplomacy—from Benghazi testimony to budget battles. Rubin shares hard-won lessons on navigating Congress, shaping foreign policy, and building political will inside the State Department. This episode explores how political spa…

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Proxies in Hybrid Operations: Insights from the Partnership for Peace Consortium Workshop Helsinki, Finland, August 2025 15:15

22d ago15:15

15:15

In this episode, we explore insights from the 2025 Partnership for Peace Consortium workshop on proxies in hybrid operations. Hear how experts from 12 countries examine Russia’s evolving proxy strategies, regional case studies, and emerging hybrid threats. The discussion outlines a four-pillar framework for understanding and countering proxy activi…

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What a Future War with China or Russia Would Really Look Like 35:35

22d ago35:35

35:35

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, Dr. Guido Rossi speaks with Dr. Peter Mansoor, a professor and the General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University. Their conversation delves into counterinsurgency warfare and preparing the American military for future…

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Is Resistance Working in Ukraine? 52:08

26d ago52:08

52:08

Episode 141 examines what the role of resistance operations are in the context of the broader war in Ukraine. Our guests begin by discussing whether resistance in occupied Ukraine has been effective. They argue that “Random Acts of Resistance” are not effective. Instead, resistance activities are most impactful when well synchronized with conventio…

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Amphibious Mastery: From Gallipoli’s Failure to Inchon’s Shock 34:32

29d ago34:32

34:32

The clash between failure and triumph defines the story of amphibious warfare. In 1915, Allied troops rowed toward Gallipoli’s unforgiving cliffs, only to be broken by terrain, fire, and poor planning. Thirty-five years later, Marines stormed Inchon’s seawalls, scaling ladders against the tide and reshaping the Korean War. This extended version of …

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251: The Unicorn in the AO: Major Goff’s Civilian Lens on Military Emergency Response 20:48

29d ago20:48

20:48

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Josephspeaks with Major Jared Goff, a Civil Affairs officer whose civilian background in emergency management brings a rare planning perspective to military operations. From managing displaced people during a crisis tointegrating civilian frameworks into doctrinal planning, Major Goff shares what it…

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How Vulnerable Are We? Inside America’s Cybersecurity Crisis 54:50

29d ago54:50

54:50

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer moderates a panel discussion on key insights from the 2025 Cyber Bay Conference. Joining him are Dr. Linda Nhon, Resident Fellow at GNSI; Dr. George Burress, Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminology at the University of South…

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Ep 074 "Modern Antifa: Communist Insurgency in the US Part Three" 57:21

30d ago57:21

57:21

I examine the feeder mechanism for communist and terrorist insurgency that is Antifa and its affiliated organizations both governmental and non-government. In this third episode, we examine the epistemology that created a rump state of communist resistance in America. now. America is in a Civil War with a major political party and its blacked-shirt…

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The Pentagon Just Issued New Guidance on Irregular Warfare: What Does It Say and Why Should You Care? 14:51

1M ago14:51

14:51

This episode examines the Pentagon’s new irregular warfare instruction—what it says, why it was issued, and how it could reshape U.S. military strategy. We break down the updated definition of irregular warfare, explore its expanded scope across domains like cyber and space, and analyze the practical implications for the services, policymakers, and…

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South America in Competition Conference: Bonus Episode 2 47:09

1M ago47:09

47:09

Episode 140 is a bonus episode built out of conversations held with panelists from the 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative and Special Operations Association of America South America in Competition Conference. The South America in Competition Conference brought together over 250 researchers, practitioners, and members of industry for two days at the …

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Review of “The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion” by Colin Freeman 10:44

1M ago10:44

10:44

In this episode, IWI's Chris Booth reviews The Mad and the Brave by Colin Freeman—a vivid account of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion. Discover how foreign volunteers shaped the war, the leadership missteps that limited their impact, and what their experiences reveal about modern irregular warfare.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Culture on the Front Line: Building Indo-Pacific Resilience through Cultural Property Protection Training 12:13

1M ago12:13

12:13

In this episode, we explore how Cultural Property Protection can serve as a powerful tool of irregular warfare in the Indo-Pacific—strengthening regional resilience, countering illicit trafficking, and building trust through shared heritage and preservation.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Media, Martyrdom, & Manipulation 14:49

1M ago14:49

14:49

In this episode, we explore how the Kosovo Liberation Army used propaganda, martyrdom, and media manipulation to shape Western narratives during the Kosovo conflict. Learn how perception management, strategic timing, and emotional storytelling influenced NATO’s decision to intervene and redefined modern warfare’s psychological front.…

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From Horse to Track: The End of Cavalry and the Birth of Mechanized Shock 36:04

1M ago36:04

36:04

The First World War opened with the thunder of hooves and the proud banners of cavalry still carrying centuries of tradition. Within a generation, those horsemen faced extinction at the hands of trenches, barbed wire, and machine guns, replaced by the roar of engines, radios, and steel treads. This extended podcast episode expands on our written ar…

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250: Decoding Iran’s Digital Playbook: Influence, Psyops, and Cyber Threats by Max Lesser 22:06

1M ago22:06

22:06

🎙️ In this episode, One CA Podcast welcomes Max Lesser from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) to unpack the evolving landscape of Iranian online influence. From sock puppet accounts and Telegram coordination to decentralized psyops and hybrid cyber operations, Max offers a sobering look at how Tehran weaponizes digital platforms to sh…

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From Nixon to Bush: Why U.S. Foreign Policy Fails at Coordination 48:59

1M ago48:59

48:59

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, GNSI’s Senior Director, Jim Cardoso, interviewed Fabio van Loon about his latest publication on the topic of the pitfalls and challenges of U.S. foreign policy, specifically with interagency coordination. Fabio explained his paper’s focus on three differe…

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Kings, Usurpers, and Shadow Wars: Lessons on Irregular Warfare from Shakespeare 13:15

1M ago13:15

13:15

In this episode, we explore how Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Julius Caesar, Richard III, and Coriolanus offer surprising insights into the psychology and strategy of irregular warfare. From narrative control to the weaponization of public sentiment, Shakespeare’s dramas reveal how legitimacy, loyalty, and perception shape modern conflict more than firep…

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Unrestricted Innovation: The Supply Chain Battlefield 50:23

1M ago50:23

50:23

Episode 139 examines how supply chains have become instruments of strategic competition and the implications for U.S. defense capabilities. Our guests discuss how China gained control over critical drone components originally invented in the United States and what this means for economic security and irregular warfare. Our guests begin by analyzing…

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Proxy Armies and Principal–Agent Problems: A Review of Militias in Eastern Ukraine 12:28

1M ago12:28

12:28

In this episode, we explore Martin Laryš’ Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine: From Leaderless Rebellion to Proxy Army. The discussion unpacks how Russia leveraged local militias in the Donbas through principal–agent dynamics, exposing the risks, costs, and fragmentation that shaped the early Russo-Ukrainian War. We examine how weak social ties, dece…

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Partisans, Maquis, and Rangers: Irregular Warfare That Bent Front Lines 34:37

1M ago34:37

34:37

World War II’s front lines were never as fixed as maps suggested. In the forests of Belarus, Soviet partisans derailed trains and severed supply lines. In the mountains of France, the Maquis carved out fragile sanctuaries, daring to declare a Free Republic on the Vercors plateau. Across the sea, American Rangers scaled cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and p…

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249: Strategic Human Capital with COL Kramer & LTC Martinez 21:31

1M ago21:31

21:31

Host: LTC Brian Hancock Guests: COL Delmayca “Didi” Kramer & LTC Liz Martinez Duration: ~45 minutes Produced by: Civil Affairs Association Rated Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts In this episode, LTC Brian Hancock sits down with COL Delmayca Kramer and LTC Liz Martinez to explore the evol…

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Are U.S. Special Operations Ready for the Drone Era? 43:17

1M ago43:17

43:17

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer was joined by Lt Col. John "JAY" Patrich to talk about the need for innovation when it comes to strategic drone attacks, with a focus on the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, and in light of Lt Col Patrich’s recent decision brief on dro…

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Ep 073 "Modern Antifa: Communist Insurgency in the US Part Two" 54:17

1M ago54:17

54:17

I examine the domestic communist and terrorist insurgency that is Antifa and its affiliated organizations both governmental and non-government. In this second episode, we examine the history that brought the US to the brink of civil war it is at now. America is in a Civil War with a major political party and its blacked-shirted paramilitary arm goi…

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South America in Competition Conference: Bonus Episode 1 53:53

2M ago53:53

53:53

Episode 138 is a bonus episode built out of conversations held with panelists from the 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative and Special Operations Association of America South America in Competition Conference. The South America in Competition Conference brought together over 250 researchers, practitioners, and members of industry for two days at the …

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Eugene Bullard: All Blood Runs Red 31:55

2M ago31:55

31:55

From the red clay fields of Jim Crow Georgia to the skies above Verdun, Eugene Bullard carved out a path that defied the odds. Denied opportunity at home, he became America’s first Black combat aviator—though under the flag of France, not the United States. This extended version of our written article places Bullard’s journey in the full context of…

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248: Culture First: Natacha Ciezki on Building Trust and Strategy in African Engagements 20:25

2M ago20:25

20:25

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Joseph sits down with Natacha Ciezki, a foreign affairs consultant and Civil Affairs officer, to explore the critical role of cultural understanding in African engagements. Drawing from her extensive experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, Natacha shares insights on how local context, historical nuanc…

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Policing the Pacific: How China Expands Influence Where the US Looks for Allies 7:47

2M ago7:47

7:47

This episode explores how China expands its influence across the Pacific Islands through policing partnerships rather than military force. We examine Beijing’s growing reach, examples of its law enforcement ties, and why the United States must adapt its engagement strategy to counter these efforts with regional partnerships and information campaign…

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Inside Africa’s Power Struggle: Governance, Grievance, and Extremism 41:14

2M ago41:14

41:14

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, USF’s Dr. Robert Burrell is joined by authors Dr. Zacharias Pieri and Dr. Kevin Fridy to discuss their new book, Governance, Grievance, and Violent Extremism in West Africa:From the Caliphates to Great Power Competition. The conversation explores how…

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Future of War Part II: On Their Own 1:00:33

2M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Episode 137 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast continues our 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 On Their Own, which imagines U.S. Army Special Operations Forces advi…

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Interwar Adaptations: Leveraging Partner Experiences for Future Conflicts 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

The War in Ukraine has transformed how nations fight. This episode explores how the U.S. can apply those lessons through the Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP), leveraging Ukrainian combat experience to modernize American doctrine and strengthen interoperability for future conflicts.By Irregular Warfare Initiative

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Liberty Ships, Iron Will: The Jeremiah O’Brien and the Fleet that Fed Victory 31:21

2M ago31:21

31:21

The Liberty ships were the lifeline of World War II, blunt-nosed freighters that carried the food, fuel, and ammunition which kept entire armies fighting. Against U-boats, storms, and staggering odds, they proved that industry could be turned into strategy. This extended version of our written article takes you beyond the page to show why these “ug…