Publications

Perspectives

A library of selected publications submitted by external Irregular Warfare authors and peer-reviewed by our Academic Chairs and Fellows.

The Hollowing Arsenal: How Artificial Intelligence Erodes the Foundations of Irregular Warfare

For centuries, irregular warfare has derived its power from a simple truth: populations matter. Whether a state seeks to coerce an adversary, support a resistance movement, or undermine the legitimacy...

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The Houthis and the Evolution of State-Enabled Irregular Warfare: Lessons from the Red Sea for Future Strategic Military Engagement

The renewed Houthi threats against maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the resumption of missile attacks towards Israel in early June 2026, even if they were a one-off attempt...

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Beyond Proxy Warfare: The Iraq Model of Institutionalized Irregular Competition

For much of the last two decades, irregular warfare in the Middle East has been viewed primarily through the lens of insurgencies, terrorism, and armed proxy conflicts. Yet Iraq’s evolving...

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Following the Money: Allegations of Cross-Border Networks in Northern Syria

In today’s world, financial systems are increasingly relying more on anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations as part of efforts to stop illicit cash flows. When those safeguards...

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Insights

A collection of Irregular Warfare content authored by the Center’s Academic Chairs and subject matter experts.

Solving the Wrong Problem? A Practitioners’ Method for Campaigning in Irregular Warfare

Among the five of us who teach the Irregular Warfare Center’s (IWC) advanced campaigning course (IW401), we have spent a long time watching capable people lose slowly. Not only on...

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Same Spelling Different Story: Comparing the Conceptualization of Irregular Warfare Across the Globe

Irregular Warfare (IW) goes by many names and definitions across the world. While some differences are only minor semantic variances reflecting the history of specific countries or the local culture...

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Ignacio Zaragoza and the Irregular Logic of Resistance

The popular memory of Ignacio Zaragoza is often compressed into a single date: May 5, 1862. In much of the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a cultural celebration...

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U.S. Diplomacy Plays Critical Role in Irregular Warfare

Diplomacy in irregular warfare (IW) is not a supporting act; it is one of the main ways the United States competes for power and legitimacy below the threshold of conventional...

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Research Studies

In-depth, long-form peer reviewed studies on Irregular Warfare topics.

Irregular Warfare Conceptualization of South and Central America

This report arises from a shared belief that irregular warfare (IW) in the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) cannot be fully understood through institutional doctrine alone....

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China’s Way of Occupation: Implications for Taiwan

This report examines the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) enduring habits and approaches to occupation to develop a PRC “way of occupation” and considers how the PRC might occupy, pacify,...

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Irregular Warfare Center Research Bibliography No.2: Lebanese Hezbollah in Latin America

This subject bibliography is a selection of top resources on Lebanese Hezbollah in Latin America and includes journal articles, reports, books, sections of websites, and videotaped talks. The dates of...

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Irregular Warfare Center Research Bibliography No.1: Private Military Companies Wagner Group (Africa Corps)

This subject bibliography is a selection of top resources on Wagner Group, and includes journal articles, books, and online discussion groups. The dates of the material range from 2019 to...

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Book Reviews

When Rambo Meets the Red Cross: Civil-Military Engagement in Fragile States

When Rambo Meets the Red Cross takes a critical look at the trifecta of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), their relationship with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the beneficiaries of foreign...

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The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder

In The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder Sean McFate takes readers on a compelling journey through the evolving landscape of modern warfare, dissecting the...

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Opinion Essays

DOD’s Irregular Warfare Center: Building Partnerships by Opening Up the Tent

In the three short months since the Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) “opened its doors,” to begin addressing the implications of “struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence...

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Publications.

Perspectives

The Hollowing Arsenal: How Artificial Intelligence Erodes the Foundations of Irregular Warfare

The Houthis and the Evolution of State-Enabled Irregular Warfare: Lessons from the Red Sea for Future Strategic Military Engagement

Beyond Proxy Warfare: The Iraq Model of Institutionalized Irregular Competition

Following the Money: Allegations of Cross-Border Networks in Northern Syria

Insights

Solving the Wrong Problem? A Practitioners’ Method for Campaigning in Irregular Warfare

Same Spelling Different Story: Comparing the Conceptualization of Irregular Warfare Across the Globe

Ignacio Zaragoza and the Irregular Logic of Resistance

U.S. Diplomacy Plays Critical Role in Irregular Warfare

Research Studies

Irregular Warfare Conceptualization of South and Central America

China’s Way of Occupation: Implications for Taiwan

Irregular Warfare Center Research Bibliography No.2: Lebanese Hezbollah in Latin America

Irregular Warfare Center Research Bibliography No.1: Private Military Companies Wagner Group (Africa Corps)

Book Reviews

When Rambo Meets the Red Cross: Civil-Military Engagement in Fragile States

The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder

Opinion Essays

DOD’s Irregular Warfare Center: Building Partnerships by Opening Up the Tent

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