A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

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. read less

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MOBILIZATION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 4)

MOBILIZATION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 4)

In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this fourth and final episode are Mike Barnett, Mark Mullinax, Ryan Noble, and Jon Holm. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the daunting task of mobilization for large-scale operations. Their conversation examines such topics as maximizing the effective use of reserve component mobilization authorities, leveraging alternate mobilization sites, expanding civilian hires and contracting and increasing continuity and reallocation of deployable readiness assets. The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.

Episodes

MOBILIZATION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 4)

MOBILIZATION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 4)

In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this fourth and final episode are Mike Barnett, Mark Mullinax, Ryan Noble, and Jon Holm. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the daunting task of mobilization for large-scale operations. Their conversation examines such topics as maximizing the effective use of reserve component mobilization authorities, leveraging alternate mobilization sites, expanding civilian hires and contracting and increasing continuity and reallocation of deployable readiness assets. The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT

The United States Department of Defense spends a great deal of time and resources developing uniforms. The respective organizations in each branch of service take requirements from leadership and design functional clothing that meets environmental, operational, safety and visual performance factors. The uniforms need to fit all heights, weights, shapes, sizes and genders across the force, be manufactured economically via mass production practices, and by law utilize a U.S.-based textile industry that has shrunk over the last few decades. Amy Brayshaw has been a part of this developmental community for 20+ years, and she's in the studio to share her experiences with podcast editor Ron Granieri. Amy explains the difficulties associated with uniform development, including supply base issues, mass rollouts, color matching and durability, all while trying to meet the needs of the force and leadership's guidance.

PROTECTION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 3)

PROTECTION (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 3)

In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this third episode are Jennifer Hunt, Matthew Inglis, and Lillian Woodington. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the complicated task of protection writ large. Their conversation covers the concepts of the role the National Guard might play in addressing vulnerabilities in the cyber domain, air and missile defense across the competition continuum, and the role of protection in deterrence. The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.

BONUS EPISODE: SOURCES OF PUBLIC TRUST IN THE U.S. MILITARY

BONUS EPISODE: SOURCES OF PUBLIC TRUST IN THE U.S. MILITARY

The U.S. Army War College Civil-Military Relations Center hosted its inaugural conference in May 2023. This year’s theme on the military and society was the American all-volunteer force as it turns 50. One of the major sub-themes throughout was the recruiting crisis and what it portends for the all-volunteer force. What affects people’s willingness to join the military? What policies may be most effective in sustaining the all-volunteer force? How does the relationship between a military and its society impact national security? On Saturday, May 6, the keynote speaker was one of the most prominent scholars of civil-military relations, Peter Feaver. He was joined by moderator and chair of the Department of National Security and Strategy, Carrie Lee, to discuss the state of public trust in the military and his new book, Thanks for Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the Military. We were able to capture their conversation and are pleased to present it to you as a bonus episode on A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast.

RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE: RACE RELATIONS IN THE ARMY

RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE: RACE RELATIONS IN THE ARMY

Black Americans' fight for equality in the U.S. armed forces has been a rough road. At times, the Army has been a leader in driving change in the United States. In other instances, the institution has stood with "feet of clay." Charles Allen and John Nagl have studied the history of black soldiers throughout American history, and their work has led to a new elective course at the Army War College, a recent Joint Force Quarterly article and a number of presentations to the force. Their hope is to educate and inspire others to the recognition and gratitude owed generations of black soldiers who persevered through unjust treatment and segregation by a nation that they sought to defend.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 2)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 2)

In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this second episode are Jessicah Garrett-Somssich and Andrew Sinden. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the ever-growing realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and additive manufacturing (AM). Their conversation covers the concepts of building trust in technology, differences in generational acceptance and where to accept risk in the name of innovation to maximize the value of AI and AM in the Army.

LAUNCH OPERATION PLUM BLOSSOM: MICK RYAN ON WAR FOR TAIWAN

LAUNCH OPERATION PLUM BLOSSOM: MICK RYAN ON WAR FOR TAIWAN

Fiction can be liberating. It offers authors latitude to think, propose, and prognosticate about real-world topics in ways that non-fiction does not allow. The ability to ask "what if?" can be an incredible tool in the national security realm that can inform real-time, real-world efforts and offer "solutions" to wicked problems. Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan has joined the ranks of fiction writers to help leaders think about what conflict with the People's Republic of China (PRC) might look like in his new book, "White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan." He's in the studio with podcast editor Ron Granieri to explain why he chose narrative as a tool to continue his dedicated service to professional military education. A 35-year veteran of the Australian Army, Ryan has plenty of experience to inform his fictional account of a possible conflict with the PRC. It is both an enjoyable read and an informative guide as to what technology on the future battlefield might look like.

LONG-RANGE FIRES (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 1)

LONG-RANGE FIRES (STRATEGIC LANDPOWER IRP PT 1)

In May 2023, the War College hosted the second annual Strategic Landpower Symposium. Bringing together students, scholars and practitioners, the symposium presented senior leaders with original research and recommendations for the application of landpower to achieve national objectives. Included within the symposium were the findings of the Army War College Strategic Landpower Integrated Research Project, an effort of eleven members of the Class of 2023 in support of Army senior leader priorities. A BETTER PEACE has organized four podcast episodes with those students to discuss their projects, their relationship to the Strategic Landpower Symposium and possible implications for the future of U.S. security policy. In the virtual studio for this first episode are Paul Lashley and Andrew Hercik. They join podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the role of long-range fires, the implications of strategic weapons in the theater army, and how they can be better integrated. The third annual Strategic Landpower Symposium is already scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. On-line registration will open 1 August, 2023 on the Army War College website.

RESOURCING THE FORCE: MG JOHN FERRARI, RET. (HOW SHOULD THE ARMY RUN?)

RESOURCING THE FORCE: MG JOHN FERRARI, RET. (HOW SHOULD THE ARMY RUN?)

Plan, Program, Budget and Execute - repeat. It's the strategic planning process for allocating resources in the Department of Defense that was first initiated in the early 1960s. The brainchild of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, it was originally the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting, or PPBS. Over the years the "System" was dropped and replaced with "Execution" yielding the current iteration, PPBE. A Better Peace is pleased to welcome retired Army Major General John Ferrari, to better understand the workings and inherent tensions of the PPBE process. The former Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation (2014-2019), MG Ferrari shares his extensive insider perspective on the incredibly complex process that was created out of a need to wrangle a growing defense institution and the associated budgets. He joins Bob Bradford and Tom Galvin to present a primer and much more on PPBE. They discuss where it succeeds, where it doesn't, and some of the necessary characteristics of relationships and leadership that need to be understood and refined to keep the process moving forward effectively.

HE THOUGHT LIKE AN INSURGENT: BERNARD FALL

HE THOUGHT LIKE AN INSURGENT: BERNARD FALL

Bernard Fall is considered by many to be one of the finest analysts and writers of the Vietnam War. Much of his insight about counterinsurgency warfare in Indochina was informed by the formative experiences earlier in his life. A Better Peace welcomes Nate Moir to discuss his book, "Number One Realist: Bernard Fall and Vietnamese Revolutionary Warfare", which analyses Fall's life to understand what drove his thinking and understanding of the situation. He joins host John Nagl to explain how Fall was consistently ahead of the conventional wisdom. Fall's penetrating assessments of the war brought some rebukes and even monitoring by the FBI, but in hindsight were proved to be sadly prescient and are an outstanding example of critical thought.

NEVER A DAY WITHOUT SPACE: SPACECOM

NEVER A DAY WITHOUT SPACE: SPACECOM

Sixty-six years ago, the Soviet Union placed Sputnik in orbit around the Earth and it changed everything. Since then, more than 80 nations and 100 commercial entities have also found their way into space. Yet much of the public is not aware of the extent to which hardly any event, transaction, or communication occurs that doesn't rely on some aspect of technology developed for or residing in space. A Better Peace welcomes General James Dickinson, Commander, U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), to the virtual studio to share his strategic vision for the execution and integration of military spacepower into global joint all-domain operations. General Dickinson joins Ben Ogden to explain how SPACECOM "will ensure there is never a day without space."

REAGAN AS THE PEACEMAKER: WILL INBODEN (ON WRITING)

REAGAN AS THE PEACEMAKER: WILL INBODEN (ON WRITING)

It’s time for another episode of On Writing. A Better Peace welcomes William Inboden to the studio to discuss his book, The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink. Will sits down with host Michael Neiberg for a conversation about capturing the efforts and accomplishments of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and his administration as they confronted the Soviets, reduced the nuclear threat and won the Cold War. The discussion examines how Will moved past his preconceived notions to present an unbiased and accurate account of the actions and interactions of the Reagan national security team in the 1980s.

CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS: DISCUSSING WAR (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS: DISCUSSING WAR (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

The final episode of our three-part series on Afghanistan looks at rebuilding trust in the civil-military relationship. Over two decades of conflict left its imprint on U.S. civil-military relations in myriad ways, not all of which were bad. Yet the collapse of the Afghan government and military after so many assurances that “this will be the year” has undoubtedly reduced the essential reservoir of trust. Guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow LTC Ranjini Danaraj is joined by LTG (retired) Doug Lute, the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and Deputy National Security Advisor on Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Asia under both Presidents Bush and Obama, and Dr. Carrie Lee, the Co-Director of the Civil-Military Relations Center and Chair of the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College. They have a thoughtful discussion on Afghanistan’s impact on civil-military relations. Their conversation reveals the vital aspects of a civil-military relationship, how politics are fundamental to the conversation, how to better integrate other elements of national power, and the need to balance expertise with humility.

A CHALLENGING CONVERSATION: THE CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS CENTER

A CHALLENGING CONVERSATION: THE CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS CENTER

The civil-military relationship in the United States is a complicated one, and it is continually evolving. The discussion space that was once dominated by the writings of Samuel Huntington and Morris Janowitz, has morphed even further, opening the conversation to a multitude of new voices. As the nation finds itself even more polarized, significant work has to be done by the military to remain effective in the political sphere and yet remain above the partisan fray. Civ-mil relations are a standard topic in joint professional military education and they are so important that the U.S. Army War College has established a new Civil-Military Relations Center (CMRC). The center's mission is "To sponsor and promote the development of a healthy, sustainable relationship between the American military, society, and political leaders through education, research, and outreach." The center's co-director, Carrie Lee, is in the studio today with podcast editor Ron Granieri, to explain how the CMRC intends to accomplish its mission and what lies ahead.

ASSESSMENTS: MEASURING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

ASSESSMENTS: MEASURING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

The first episode of our three-part series on Afghanistan lessons discussed building armies. This episode focuses exclusively on assessing them. In the studio for this second episode are LTG (R) Eric Wesley, who brings experience from both the National Security Council Staff and the International Security Assistance Force, and Dr. Ben Connable, author of a RAND monograph entitled, "Embracing the Fog of War: Assessment and Metrics in Counterinsurgency." They join guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow LTC Ranjini Danaraj for a serious discussion about the assessment of military forces in Afghanistan. The conversation covers assessment shortfalls, optimism in reporting, holding commanders accountable to their assessments, creating competitive perspectives, taking a long view of war, and measuring the will to fight. Assessing is no easy task, but this episode provides insights on how to get it right, breaking the military’s assessment failure cycle, and helping military leaders accurately and credibly inform strategy decisions.

UNMASKING THE BOOGEYMAN: THE BIN LADEN PAPERS

UNMASKING THE BOOGEYMAN: THE BIN LADEN PAPERS

Twelve years ago last week, on May 2, 2011, the U.S. military conducted a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan that killed Usama bin Laden. Once the mission was accomplished, the SEAL team conducted sensitive site exploitation and gathered up and returned with all of the materials and equipment they discovered in the compound. Nelly Lahoud and her team sorted through some 97,000 files and 6,000 pages of declassified documents, all in Arabic, to discover the truth about bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network. She's in the studio to discuss her book, "The Bin Laden Papers: How the Abbottabad Raid Revealed the Truth about Al-Qaeda, Its Leader and His Family" with host John Nagl. The information gleaned from this incredible undertaking paints a picture of a man and a network that, after the 9/11 attack, were confined, restrained and not very successful.

SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE: BUILDING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE: BUILDING ARMIES (AFGHANISTAN LESSONS)

The United States spent over 20 years in Afghanistan and while a lot has been written about the missteps, there is much to be written about the solutions that would have lent to better outcomes. This is the first of a three-part series on Afghanistan and its lessons. Guest host and U.S. Army War College Fellow LTC Ranjini Danaraj and MG Donn Hill, the Commander of Security Force Assistance Command, have a candid discussion on what the U.S. Army has learned about security force assistance, building balanced and sustainable foreign security forces, and operationalizing the lessons learned from Afghanistan. MG Hill shares insights on how the Army's security force assistance brigades are taking best practices to armies around the world and what is now codified in the forthcoming update to FM 3-22, Army Support to Security Cooperation.

BEYOND DESEGREGATION: THE ARMY AND RACE IN THE VIETNAM ERA...AND TODAY

BEYOND DESEGREGATION: THE ARMY AND RACE IN THE VIETNAM ERA...AND TODAY

The military is a microcosm of the society it protects and is thus subject to many of the same tensions experienced by the population at large. As the nation struggled with racism in the '60s and '70s, the Army experienced violence and discrimination in the barracks and in the field. The Army recognized that the organization could not function in this divisive environment and in the late '60s began to address racism and racial identity. Beth Bailey's new book, "An Army Afire: How the US Army Confronted Its Racial Crisis in the Vietnam Era," chronicles the efforts that succeeded and those that failed. She's in the studio with podcast host Ron Granieri to explain how "seeing only OD" was an earnest yet flawed approach.

REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP FROM TWO MIRROR IMAGES

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 a great place for them. The Baird brothers join podcast editor Ron Granieri in the virtual studio to tell the story of two very different yet very similar careers serving the nation. Derek and TJ share how they have relied on each other throughout the years for advice and support both as professional soldiers and as brothers. It's a great story of their similar leadership philosophies and styles and decades of service that they plan to continue for decades more.

W.E.B. DUBOIS IN THE WOUNDED WORLD: CHAD WILLIAMS (ON WRITING)

W.E.B. DUBOIS IN THE WOUNDED WORLD: CHAD WILLIAMS (ON WRITING)

Prolific author, sociologist, historian, civil rights activist and co-founder of the NAACP, W.E.B. Du Bois is one of the most prominent scholars and activists in African-American history. He and his unpublished work about the betrayal of Black soldiers during World War I are the topic of Chad Williams new book The Wounded World: W. E. B. Du Bois and the First World War. Chad joins podcast host Michael Neiberg for another episode of On Writing to examine the origin, research and the process behind his book. It's a fascinating conversation that goes beyond a simple biography and examines Du Bois's struggles with his own disillusionment with WW I and his transformation to anti-war activist as he described it in his unpublished manuscript.