Episode 97 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast focuses on a theory of armed politics as proposed by General Sir Nick Carter. We recorded this episode in late spring of last year during one of General Carter’s visits to Stanford University as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow.
Our guests begin by describing the shifting landscape of the international order from the Cold War to today, and the resultant impact on alliances, partnerships, and competition across the globe. General Carter proposes a theory that emphasizes the need for those engaged in war today to deeply understand every level of politics, as neglecting this understanding can have catastrophic effects. Our guests reflect on the challenges of implementation, including tactical trade-offs and measuring effects. They conclude by considering the impact of rapidly evolving technology on this theory of armed politics, as well as the roles of the United States and United Kingdom in a world faced with disarray.
General Sir Nick Carter is a career British Army officer, whose four-decade career culminated in his service as the chief of Defence Staff for the United Kingdom. In this role he was the principal military advisor to the prime minister, the National Security Council, the secretary of state for defense, and the head of the UK armed forces. He has commanded military operations at every level, including in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan. General Carter is currently a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
Dr. Joe Felter is a William J. Perry Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. From 2017 to 2019, Dr. Felter served as US deputy assistant secretary of defense for South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. He is the codirector of the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project and the coauthor of Small Wars, Big Data: The Information Revolution and Modern Conflict. Dr. Felter retired as a colonel from the US Army’s Special Forces.
Shawna Sinnott and Laura Jones are the hosts for Episode 97. Please reach out to Shawna and Laura 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, LinkedIn, or through our website.
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