Episode 120 explores the critical role of Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) in irregular warfare and strategic competition with Mike Burgoyne and Jim Marckwardt.
Our guests examine the foundational aspects of the FAO program and its evolution, highlighting how FAOs serve as “Pentagon diplomats” maintaining critical defense relationships worldwide. They then discuss how FAOs excel in the gray zone between peace and war, exploring case studies from Plan Colombia to Afghanistan. Finally, our guests offer insights into how senior leaders can better utilize FAO expertise in developing and implementing irregular warfare strategies.
Michael Burgoyne is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, and a PhD candidate at King’s College London. His extensive experience includes serving as Senior Defense Official in Guatemala, Defense Attaché in Afghanistan, and Army Attaché in Mexico. As a Foreign Area Officer, he developed advanced language capabilities and regional expertise across Latin America. He holds master’s degrees in Security Studies from Georgetown University and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and is the coauthor of “The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa,” a tactical primer on modern counterinsurgency.
Albert “Jim” Marckwardt is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Administrator and Adjunct Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and Associate Professor & Faculty Lead at Defense Security Cooperation University. His extensive experience includes serving as Country Director at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, where he formulated defense policy for Colombia and Venezuela, and as Political Military Advisor at Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras. He holds a Doctor of International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS and brings over 30 years of leadership experience spanning combat operations, security cooperation, international diplomacy, and policy development.
Don Edwards and Frank Struzinski are the hosts for Episode 120. Please reach out to them 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.
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JEB Stewart says
Problem is that FAO/DIA won’t give up slots to assign selected UW type SF officers (not FAOs). (Special Ops needs to manage much of it otherwise it’s missing needed understanding and background) the SF guys that go FAO arn’t neccessarily the best SF guys to do this. Additionally, the National directives aren’t clarified adequately to execute needed actions (thinking Phase 0, BTW who is in charge of Phase 0??). Authorities are there, but not used to fulfill potential, not enough institutionalized understanding at high levels and SOCs!!! Needs to be a dedicated element at decision level in SOF and DIA to make it work. Many rice bowls….Interesting stuff with lots of potential!!! The truth is many GOs think we are already doing it……but….it takes directed effort. All personality driven if it is happening at all….