Episode 78 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast explores the evolution of Army special operations forces (ARSOF) and the ways that ARSOF can contribute to future irregular warfare campaigns around the world.
Our guests begin by addressing current geopolitical trends and future threats to the United States and its allies. They then delve into the storied history of America’s irregular forces, and discuss how past lessons can inform future ARSOF operating paradigms. Lieutenant General Jonathan P. Braga and author P. W. Singer also consider the dynamic nature of innovation and discuss how the special operations community is adopting new warfighting concepts in the digital age. Finally, our guests conclude with several recommendations on how to optimize ARSOF for the future of irregular warfare.
Lieutenant General Braga currently serves as the commanding general of United States Army Special Operations Command. Over the course of his three-decades-long career in the military, he has led American and coalition forces in multiple combat theaters around the globe. A 1991 West Point graduate, he received his master’s degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Earlier this year, he released the ARSOF strategy document, which serves as the anchor for today’s conversation.
P. W. Singer is a New York Times best-selling author and one of America’s premier futurists in the national security space. He has authored and coauthored multiple highly acclaimed books, to include Burn-In, LikeWar, and Ghost Fleet. He received his PhD in government from Harvard University and a BA from the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
Ben Jebb and Kyle Atwell are the hosts for Episode 78. Please reach out to Ben and Kyle 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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