Episode 105 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast contrasts security force assistance (SFA) efforts in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Our guests begin by outlining the significance of security force assistance and its pivotal role in Washington’s wider national security strategy. From there, they delve into a detailed analysis of SFA in both Afghanistan and Ukraine, extracting valuable lessons for policymakers and practitioners to inform future SFA policies. Finally, they end with a deep dive into SFA activities in Eastern Europe, shedding light on the socialization and transactional approaches needed to align incentives and enhance the combat capabilities of the United States’ international partners.
Professor Alex Chinchilla is an assistant professor at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service and a non-resident fellow with the Irregular Warfare Initiative. Professor Chinchilla received her PhD from Chicago University, and her research focuses on the politics of security cooperation. In September of 2023, she authored a Lawfare article entitled, “Lessons from Ukraine for Security Force Assistance,” which serves as the anchor for episode 105.
COL Justin Hufnagel currently serves as the Commander of 10th Special Forces Group. Over the course of his 24-year career, he has led special operations forces at various echelons, deploying to multiple theaters across the globe in support of U.S. national security objectives. COL Hufnagel holds a BA from Gonzaga University and an MS in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Ben Jebb and Nathan Kaczynski are the hosts for this episode. Please reach out to Ben and Nathan with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for access to our written content, upcoming community events, and other resources.
Leave a Reply