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War On The Rocks
The Adversarial: Relations and Realignments
<!-- category --> March 6, 2025 Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists. Read more below. ***…
The End of the World, Again?
Chris, Zack, and Melanie have a rather somber discussion about the Trump administration’s efforts to get a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Why is Trump so insistent on getting an immediate deal? What carrots and sticks, if any, are…
Below-the-Threshold Deterrence, Philippine Style
In the middle of the night, a CBS News crew onboard the Cape Engaño woke to the sound of alarms. The Philippine sailors directed the media team to put on life jackets while the crew prepared to defend themselves with clubs against a…
Rewind and Reconnoiter: The Navy Should Develop Narco-Submarines
In 2020, Walker D. Mills, Dylan “Joose” Phillips-Levine, and Collin Fox wrote “‘Cocaine Logistics’ for the Marine Corps,” where they argued that the Marine Corps could learn from drug traffickers and create covert submarines to supply…
The Pentagon is About to Make a Big Mistake on Civilian Harm Mitigation
On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced, per guidance from the Department of Government Efficiency, an 8 percent reduction to programs not related to 17 priority items he has identified to spare from the downsizing…
It’s Time to Build the Digital Century Series
“In a world characterized by unpredictability and increasingly frequent surprise, there are heavy penalties for ponderous decision making and slow execution.”–Richard Danzig
The U.S. Air Force is losing the race to field a crewed…
In Brief: How European Leaders are Adapting to New Defense Realities
A lot happens every day. Alliances shift, leaders change, and conflicts erupt. With In Brief, we’ll help you make sense of it all. Each week, experts will dig deep on a single issue happening in the world to help you better understand it.…
Rough Seas Ahead: Steering the Military Profession
The cyclone of rapid-fire actions taken by the Trump administration in its first weeks has affected every part of the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense and military services. The Feb. 21 summary dismissal of the chairman…
Will Israel and the United States Diverge on Iran?
Israel’s recent military success has left Iran uniquely vulnerable, but for how long? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated President Donald Trump’s reimposition of “maximum pressure” sanctions, but unless that pressure yields…
Lt. Gen. Sklenka on Staying in the Fight
The Marine general and deputy commandant in charge of installations and logistics was kind enough to join Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation on military service, logistics, and so much more. Whether you are a servicemember or someone…
Play Hard. Get Dirty. Use Good Saop.