A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast
News & Politics
About
This is the podcast of WAR ROOM, the official online journal of the U.S. Army War College. Join us for provocative discussions about U.S. national security and defense, featuring prominent national security and military professionals.
Episodes
- BEYOND THE SELECTIVE SERVICE MYTHS
Is a return to a military draft even viable? William Taylor and Katherine Kuzminski join JP Clark to bridge the gap between myth and reality regarding the all-volunteer force and the political and logistical hurdles of 21st-century mobiliz…
- ESCAPING THE READINESS TRAP: RESHAPING THE RESERVES
To meet the demands of modern, high-intensity warfare, the U.S. Army Reserve must remake itself --"Army Reserve 4.0"-- is the finding of an Army War College integrated research project. Steve Trynosky discussed this study with authors Kion…
- STRESS, SLEEP, AND STRATEGIC STRENGTH
Curt Brooker and Ron Granieri discuss why sleep is an operational requirement. Using wearables to track biometrics can help the military move past a culture of exhaustion toward data-driven readiness. You can't outwork your body.
- RE-RELEASE: JOHN BOYD AND THE 'OODA' LOOP (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
Clay Chun & Jackie Whitt present the theories of #JohnBoyd, a contemporary airpower theorist who created the #OODA Loop, a learning approach to reducing uncertainty on the battlefield
- RE-RELEASE: IT'S ONLY A PRE-WAR PERIOD IN HINDSIGHT
Whether leadership views the inter-war period as post-war or pre-war determines where the organization goes.
- RE-RELEASE: THE FUTURE IS EXPEDITIONARY: JOINT WARFIGHTING HQ
Successful military organizations are always assessing and adapting; this includes methods of command and control. The joint task forces with constituent air, land, and maritime components currently used by the U.S. military have demonstra…
- RE-RELEASE: LESSONS OF AFGHANISTAN: A CONVERSATION WITH MG BRIAN MENNES
For many, Afghanistan and the lessons that should have been learned have been overshadowed recently by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. And as much as Ukraine deserves the attention of the world, national security professionals have a du…
- RE-RELEASE: REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP FROM TWO MIRROR IMAGES
When twins Derek and TJ Baird joined the Army in the '90s, neither of them had any idea what lay ahead. But 26 and 30 years later respectively, one is a colonel and the other a command sergeant major, and it's safe to say the Army has been…
- RE-RELEASE: MILITARY MIGHT AND THE DEFENSE MARKETPLACE
Has the promise of cost savings due to outsourcing been realized? Or, has the dependence on the private sector caused overall costs to increase?
- TIADS AND TARGETING THE ADVERSARY'S WILL
Editor’s Note: This is our 500th episode. Thank you for being part of this journey, we wouldn't be here without you. Your loyalty and engagement have turned a project into a community. Here’s to the next 500 episodes. Modern warfare transc…
- THE INTELLIGENCE REVOLUTION: INDIVIDUALS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF INFLUENCE
Jeff Rogg joins Tom Spahr to discuss the "intelligence revolution." Beyond new gadgets, cell phones & AI are transforming the state-citizen relationship & modern warfare, turning digital footprints into targeting beacons & tools for cognit…
- INSIDE THE KREMLIN'S GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
CIA officer Sean Wiswesser joins host Tom Spahr to expose the reality of Russian intelligence. Moving past spy myths, they discuss how corruption and "active measures" shape the Kremlin's secret war from Ukraine to Western democracies. Sea…
- HUMAN AGENCY IN THE AGE OF AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Blair Wilcox & Chase Metcalf join host Tom Spahr to discuss AI in planning. Wargames show AI excels in data and control but cannot master the art of command. Human intuition remains vital to avoid strategically disastrous decisions.
- THE RISE OF NON-STATE SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Non-state actors now execute strategic strikes mirroring elite state operations. Craig Whiteside joins host Darrell Driver to discuss the rise of non-state special operations, from the Tet Offensive to space-based threats, and why identify…
- INTELLIGENCE, INNOVATION, AND INTEGRATION
The Army is evolving its intel to outpace modern threats. Andrew Evans joins Tom Spahr to discuss a permanent Strategy and Transformation Office. To beat 11-yr acquisition cycles, he advocates for a cultural shift to get new tech to soldie…
- BREAKING THE CADENCE: REFORMING THE ARMY'S ACQUISITION FRAMEWORK
The Army is shifting from acquiring "widgets" to a holistic "6 plus 1" portfolio structure to deliver tech to the warfighter faster. Amanda Love joins Dan Harris & Bob Bradford to discuss the new era of "failing fast & learning" in acquisi…
- THE LONG ARC OF THE IRAQ WARS
Samuel Helfont joins host Ron Graneri to discuss his book, The Iraq Wars, that makes interesting connections across three decades of conflict.
- ANCHORING GERMANY TO THE WEST: ADENAUER’S HEIRS
How did a divided Germany become a pillar of stability? Host Jadwiga Biskupska sits down with Ron Granieri to discuss his book, Adenauer’s Heirs. They explore how the CDU/CSU anchored Germany to the West, proving modern debates on European…
- DATA, DETERRENCE AND DIPLOMACY: THEATER ARMY INTELLIGENCE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
Carol Stauffer, USARPAC G2, joins host Tom Spahr to explore Theater Army intel in the Indo-Pacific. They discuss the shift from "kill chains" to a "kill mesh" & how human relationships maintain deterrence across 35 nations https://warroom.…
- BEYOND STRANGELOVE: GETTING TO NUCLEAR NORMALCY
Nuclear ops are back in the wartime vernacular. Jeremiah Aeschleman joins host Tom Spahr to discuss why military ldrs must move past the "ENDEX mindset" & prepare the joint force for the reality of fighting & winning on a nuclear-armed bat…
- WARFIGHTING AND THE '1492 MOMENT' IN SPACE
David Zesinger joins Tom Spahr to discuss the "1492 moment" in space. From the moon's helium-3 resources to the contested nature of the domain, learn why space is the deciding factor in modern warfare.
- RELEVANCE AND TRUST: THE FUTURE OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
U.S. intelligence needs to adapt to maintain relevance & trust. LTG (Ret.) Bob Ashley joins Tom Spahr to break down how the IC must adapt to closing technological gaps & a changing world order
- FROM BUREAUCRACY TO BATTLEFIELD AGILITY: ARMY TRANSFORMATION
Army transformation is ON! Director Johnny Ives explains the shift to AI-centric warfighting & next-gen, cloud-centric C2 for lethality & agility.
- BEYOND VIETNAM: SUNK COSTS IN PRESIDENTIAL STRATEGY
How do "sunk costs" influence wartime decisions? JP Clark interviews Brian Groves on his book, "When Presidents Fight the Last War."
- BEYOND ADMIRING THE PROBLEM: JIATF 401'S JURISDICTIONAL JUMP
The conversation on defending against sUAS continues. Lushenko & Spahr discuss the new Joint Interagency Task Force 401 a whole-of-govt approach focusing on warfighter lethality.
- EXPLOITING THE VOID: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MODERN PROPAGANDA
Michael Neiberg & Peter Pomerantsev discuss propaganda history at CVHF 2024! Hear the parallels between WWII & Ukraine, focusing on Sefton Delmer's counter-Nazi tactics.
- TAIWAN'S PORCUPINE DEFENSE: THE RACE TO READINESS
Taiwan's "porcupine defense" aims to stop a #Chinese invasion. Jay Hsieh & Pete Roongsang say new policies need faster innovation & US aid synchronization in order to succeed.
- TRANSFORMING THE WAR DEPARTMENT: HENRY STIMSON
Grant Golub explains how Henry Stimson transformed the WWII War Department into a political force, cementing the military's influence on U.S. foreign policy.
- TRANSFORMATION AND TRAINING: GENERAL GARY BRITO
The final TRADOC cdr, GEN Gary Brito, joins JP Clark to discuss the U.S. Army's "continuous transformation" & the new T2COM.
- THE ETERNAL TASK: SECURING PEACE IN EUROPE
Stephan Kieninger discusses his new book on former Dep Sec of State Strobe Talbott whose belief that both NATO expansion & engagement with Russia were achievable.
- MANEUVER WARFARE: INNOVATION AND THE ELASTIC MINDSET
The "elastic mindset" & "effectual logic" focus on using available means to adapt, rather than an end-state approach based on specific threats like Russia & China.
- THE SOMALIA STORY: BEYOND BLACK HAWK DOWN
The Battle of Mogadishu, known by many as "Black Hawk Down," lasted roughly 18 hours and cost the lives of 18 Americans and one Malaysian, along with many more allied troops wounded. Somali casualties were far higher, with some estimates n…
- SEAMLESS SYSTEMS: OPERATIONAL DATA IN THE FIRST ARMY
U.S. First Army partners with the Army Reserve and National Guard to help them prepare for their missions. Melissa Sayers, the director of First Army's operational data team, discusses the mission of an operational research systems analyst…
- FROM APPREHENSIVE TO ACCOMPLISHED: A WAR COLLEGE STORY
Every August, a fresh new cohort of students arrives on Carlisle Barracks to attend the resident course at the U.S. Army War College. The goal is to educate and develop these senior military and civilian leaders to serve at the strategic l…
- AI-READY DEFENSE: MILITARY INTELLIGENCE IN CENTCOM
Sapriya McLendon, a 2024 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, joins host Tom Spahr in the virtual studio to discuss her command of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) (MIB-T). The 513th MIB-T plays a critical role in provid…
- TRAINING FOR VICTORY: SPECIAL FORCES AND SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE
Frank Sobchak, a retired Special Forces colonel and author of "Training for Victory: U.S. Special Forces Advisory Operations from El Salvador to Afghanistan," joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the complexities of security force…
- PARTNER AND COMPETITOR: MANAGING THE U.S.-CHINA RELATIONSHIP
It's the time of the year when we feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. This episode features Christiana Crawford, Jody Daigle, and Amanda Raney as they examine…
- ALLIES AND INFLUENCE: CONVERSATIONS FROM THE EISENHOWER SERIES
It’s the time of the year when we feature some of the smart conversations that occur around the country through the Eisenhower Series College Program. This episode features Erik Sarson and Anna Scott as they examine the strength and import…
- THE EROSION OF COERCION: HOW CYBER RISKS IMPACT POWER PROJECTION
How do cyber vulnerabilities impact modern warfare and statecraft? Craig Booth argues that the effectiveness of coercion, which relies on both the power to impose costs and the credibility of the threat, is weakened by vulnerabilities in d…
- AMERICANS HELPING AMERICANS: THE CASTLE BRIGADE'S BUSY YEAR (PART II)
In the second half of their two-part episode, host Tom Spahr and Sean Shields discuss the Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina. Shields details his experience leading the 20th Engineer Brigade and the critical importan…
- INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE FIGHT: THE CASTLE BRIGADE'S BUSY YEAR (PART I)
In response to the Western Front-like stalemate seen in the Ukraine war, the U.S. Army is getting innovative. Sean Shields, commander of the 20th Engineer Brigade, joins host Tom Spahr to discuss his unit's "Sand Hills Project," an initiat…
- VULNERABLE SKIES: DRONES AND NATIONAL SECURITY
From late 2024 to early 2025, numerous unidentified drones were reported over U.S. cities and military bases. While some of these "mystery craft" were later attributed to FAA-authorized research and other purposes, their presence highlight…
- BRUNSON ON KOREA: READINESS & ALLIANCES
In May 2025, the U.S. Army War College hosted its fourth annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. The event featured General Xavier Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, as the k…
- RESILIENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS: EXAMINING ENDURANCE IN SENIOR MILITARY LEADERS
Despite the fact that so many of them make it look easy, the daily lives of senior U.S. military leaders can be incredibly demanding. Laura Weimer examined how senior leaders manage their well-being (or, at times, struggle to do so) amidst…
- AI IN STRATEGIC PLANNING: THE FUTURE OF STRATEGY?
In a previous episode, we highlighted the Annual Army War College Strategy Competition. This week, host Tom Galvin speaks with a team from the Carlisle Scholars Program that used the competition as the opportunity to experiment with the us…
- ENHANCING STRATEGIC THINKING THROUGH COMPETITION
One of the interesting things is there's no agreement domestically among civilians and military or internationally about what strategy is. Each year, while the military senior service schools compete upon the fields of friendly strife in t…
- COLONELS WRITING FOR COLONELS (RE-RELEASE)
It's time to talk about the Harding Project once again. The project is the Chief of Staff of the Army's (CSA) effort to renew professional publications, strengthen the profession, and ultimately enhance the warfighting capability of the U.…
- ON WRITING: MILITARY AUTHORS AND THE HARDING PROJECT (RE-RELEASE)
Whether putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard, writing clarifies and improves ideas while also allowing those thoughts to be shared with others. But the idea of publishing one's thoughts can be intimidating. Why does it seem so h…
- SECURITY VS. DEFENSE: A VITAL DISTINCTION FOR THE HOMELAND
The U.S. Army War College (USAWC) recently hosted its 2025 Homeland Defense Symposium, gathering experts to tackle the complex issues of defending the homeland. A key focus was clarifying the difference between Homeland Security (law enfor…
- SIGNALS, CYBER AND STRATEGY: RETIRED GENERAL PAUL NAKASONE
Retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone recently addressed the resident class at the U.S. Army War College, and he also sat down for an episode of A Better Peace with host Tom Spahr. While reflecting on his time leading the National Securi…