A summary of key accomplishments for January 2025 includes:
Strengthened Partnerships – IWC leadership met with the United Arab Emirates delegation, including senior representatives from the UAE Armed Forces, to plan a bilateral IW conference scheduled for September 2025. Additionally, IWC leadership engaged with elements of the Intelligence Community to enhance collaboration on mutually supporting efforts.
Advanced National Resilience – Led the initial planning of the Shadow Runner 26-1 initial planning conference. Shadow Runner is the first tailored denied-area, resistance to occupation exercise for U.S., Allied, and partner Whole of Government wherein participants can exercise their national resistance to occupation plans, key personnel, and capabilities.
Supported IW Doctrinal Development – IWC provided subject matter expertise to the Joint Staff J7 Office of Irregular Warfare and Competition (OIWC), refining the Irregular Warfare Universal Joint Task List (IWUJTL). This effort ensures alignment between Joint Force IW capabilities and capacities.
Expanded IW Network Engagement – Released the latest edition of the “Tab D” newsletter and expanded subscription outreach.
Prepared for Relaunch – Preparation for the launch of PRISM: the journal of complex operations continued apace as the journal began accepted and reviewing manuscripts for publication.
A summary of key accomplishments for February 2025 includes:
Supported Special Operations Medical Capabilities and SOCEUR Activities – The IWC met with Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) and the 1/10 SFG to set conditions to further IWC austere medical activities in Eastern Europe as well as the use of the Ridge Runner facilities for resistance and resilience education and training for specific European Allies at the operational and strategic level. This effort will link tactical and operational activities with an overarching IW strategy related to global IW medical support. SOCEUR will send two officers to a near-term iteration of a tailored Ridge Runner.
Support of EUCOM Campaign Plan and Education – The IWC met with EUCOM key leaders to further integrate the IW strategies throughout the theatre campaign plan and to review the upcoming IWC/EUCOM Transformational Irregular Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) resulting in continued support of the warfighter.
Collaboration with the George C. Marshall Center – The IWC met with the GCMC to identify unique opportunities for the two organizations to synchronize efforts resulting in future faculty exchange and collaboration on European IW curricula.
Supported Cunning Shadow Wargame – The IWC contributed to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations & Low-Intensity Conflict’s Irregular Warfare Directorate—in partnership with the Joint Staff J-7 Office of Irregular Warfare and Competition—Irregular Warfare wargame designed and facilitated by the Institute for Defense Analyses.
Enhanced NATO Integrated Deterrence – IWC contributed to NATO’s deterrence strategy by integrating irregular warfare insights into scenario development at the George C. Marshall Center. This strengthened NATO’s resilience against Russian hybrid threats and expanded IWC collaboration with over 20 allied nations. The IWC provided a presentation to the whole group on Russian Indirect Action to illustrate the challenge of deterring Russian hybrid threat operations.
Refined Strategy Against PRC Maritime Tactics – IWC contributed to the Naval Postgraduate School’s workshop, analyzing China’s maritime gray zone operations, and supporting strategic discussions on countering PRC intermediate force capabilities.
Expanded Influence and Reach – IWC continued strategic engagement through LinkedIn, growing its audience by 200+ individuals to more than 15,000 total followers and increasing the Center’s Spotlight newsletter subscribers by 135 to more than 10,700 total subscribers.
A summary of key accomplishments for March 2025 includes:
Homeland Total Defense Symposium – As part of its warfighter lethality & readiness effort, the IWC hosted its annual symposium in Arlington, VA, bringing together over 300 participants from DOD, interagency, foreign military, government, academia, and industry across five continents. The two-day event focused on the Total Defense concept, promoting open dialogue and practical insights to support homeland defense.
Joint IW Work Planned with UAE – As part of its defend the homeland effort, the IWC engaged with a UAE delegation to plan a joint irregular warfare conference in late-CY25. The event will address regional IW issues and promote cross-regional collaboration among MENA and African partners.
EUCOM IW Strategy Application – As part of its warfighter lethality & readiness effort, IWC led the EUCOM Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course, involving senior leaders from EUCOM, SOCEUR, USAF Civil Affairs, State Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. An executive session with counter-trafficking leadership helped participants apply strategic IW concepts to complex regional problems.
Boosting Resistance Capabilities – As part of its defend the homeland effort, the IWC delivered a specialized course on Comprehensive Defense, Counter Hybrid Threats, and resistance planning to 65 SOF participants from within the EUCOM region. IWC held a National Resistance Application Course for SOF, intelligence, and internal security personnel, strengthening understanding of resistance to occupation and paving the way for future cooperation. IWC also advanced engagement in INDOPACOM, presenting CCP gray zone strategies and initiating new collaboration with JIFCO and JIATF-West.
A summary of key accomplishments for April 2025 includes:
Senior U.S. and Allied Leaders Converge at Ridge Runner DV Day to Observe Irregular Warfare Training. The IWC, in partnership with the West Virginia National Guard, co-hosted the Ridge Runner DV Day at Camp Dawson. Attendees included ASD SO/LIC, senior leadership from USSOCOM and USASOC, as well as foreign military leaders from EUCOM and INDOPACOM. The DV Day offered a firsthand look at the Ridge Runner exercise, emphasizing its focus on preparing U.S. Special Operations Forces for operations in contested and denied environments.
African Military Leaders Share Regional IW Frameworks During IWC Workshop. The IWC hosted the African Conceptualization of Irregular Warfare Workshop, drawing participants from Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Angola, and Liberia. National representatives presented their respective countries’ irregular warfare perspectives and frameworks. The workshop promoted exchange between presenters and attendees, creating a shared understanding of regional irregular warfare challenges and opportunities.
IWC Briefs FBI National Academy on Hybrid Threats to Enhance Homeland Defense. The IWC addressed over 100 domestic and international law enforcement leaders at the FBI National Academy with a presentation focused on hybrid threats and their implications for law enforcement. International attendees included representatives from Timor Leste, Germany, Belgium, and Taiwan. During the session, the IWC established new relationships with multiple fusion centers, reinforcing its ongoing role in defending the homeland and supporting efforts to deter and defeat threats from the PRC.
IWC Engages UAE and Egypt to Advance Regional Irregular Warfare Initiatives. In separate bilateral meetings, the IWC met with the United Arab Emirates and the Egyptian Defense Attaché. The UAE engagement furthered planning efforts for the winter 2025 Irregular Warfare conference in Abu Dhabi, which is being developed in coordination with Rabdan Academy. The discussion with Egypt focused on future collaboration, including their potential participation in the upcoming UAE-hosted conference
A summary of key accomplishments for May 2025 includes:
Participated in multinational IW strategy development at the HCOE Steering Board. The IWC took part in the semi-annual Steering Board meeting of the Hybrid Threats Centre of Excellence (HCOE) in Amsterdam. The IWC’s presence ensured U.S. irregular warfare priorities and perspectives were integrated into Allied planning.
Provided academic support to advance TRIAD integration. The IWC supported U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Silent Quest experimentation series at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. IWC’s contributions helped identify emerging ARSOF concepts, technologies, and capability gaps critical to maintaining a competitive edge within the Joint Force.
Delivered the TILT-C course to strengthen USSOUTHCOM-aligned expeditionary readiness. The IWC conducted its TILT-C course for 27 personnel from the 183rd Air Component Operations Squadron. This iteration of the course specifically supported the unit’s irregular warfare planning in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility, particularly efforts aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Panama Canal Zone.
Contributed subject matter expertise on influence operations in humanitarian crises. At the invitation of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the IWC delivered a lecture titled “The Weaponization of Information in Disaster Response Operations.” The lecture explored how malign actors exploit crises to advance strategic objectives, equipping regional defense professionals with a sharper understanding of the information environment.
A summary of key accomplishments for July 2025 includes:
IWC Addresses Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities Through Aviation Workshop. The IWC hosted the “Defense of the Homeland: Aviation and Transportation in Irregular Warfare Workshop” in Arlington, VA. The workshop assembled experts from defense, interagency, academia, and industry, including the Special Advisor to the U.S. Vice President for Homeland Security and Defense and retired commanders from USTRANSCOM and SOCEUR. Participants identified critical gaps in defending transportation infrastructure against irregular threats from state and non-state actors.
Congressional Engagement Highlights IWC Strategic Impact. IWC Director briefed House Armed Services Committee professional staff members on operational highlights and fiscal year planning. The briefing emphasized IWC’s medical resiliency network in Europe and its transition to partner nations for burden-sharing, defense of the homeland through irregular means, and building Pacific resilience coalitions. The engagement reinforced IWC’s mission across U.S. and international institutions.
IWC Advances Counter-PRC Strategy Through Hybrid Warfare Workshop. The IWC supported the “China: Hybrid Warfare” workshop hosted by the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Ottawa, Canada. IWC presented PRC economic coercion case studies and detailed Center efforts to counter PRC activities and reestablish deterrence, contributing to allied understanding of hybrid threats.
Taiwan Occupation Foresight Workshop Explores Resistance Scenarios. The IWC hosted a Taiwan Occupation Foresight Workshop, bringing together 20 experts from across the interagency and industry to examine three contingencies of PRC occupation of Taiwan and develop scenarios for enabling resistance operations on the island.
UAE Partnership Advances Regional IW Capabilities. IWC leadership conducted planning meetings in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with delegates from the Supreme Commander’s Office, Rabdan Academy, and U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi. The engagement advanced planning for the fall IWC-UAE Irregular Warfare Conference and supported the Major Defense Partnership’s Letter of Intent for IWC to advise the Emiratis on developing their regional IW Center.
A summary of key accomplishments for September 2025 includes:
SOCEUR Engagement Advances European IW Priorities. IWC met with the Special Operations Command-Europe Deputy Commander to discuss Center support to theater special operations units. The briefing highlighted IWC’s ongoing resistance education and training for eastern European nations, demonstrating how these efforts reduce USSOF resource commitments while building deterrence and promoting burden-shifting to partner nations.
IWC Hosts Third Annual University Research Colloquium. IWC hosted its third annual University Research Colloquium in Arlington, VA, featuring 11 junior scholars from 10 universities and industry partners presenting IW research to approximately 40 senior scholars and practitioners. The event facilitated irregular warfare research collaboration and expanded IWC’s Functional Area Networks, strengthening connections between academia and the operational community.
IWC Participates in CENTCOM Joint Military Dialogue with UAE. IWC attended the CENTCOM Joint Military Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, UAE, reviewing the major defense partnership. The Center presented during the military cooperation subcommittee, providing an overview of IWC efforts to develop the UAE IWC and advising on the inaugural UAE irregular warfare conference scheduled for November.
INVINCIBLE SENTRY 2026 Planning Integrates IW Considerations. IWC collaborated with lead intel planners from CENTCOM J57, CENTCOM J2, and SOCOM JCT to develop irregular warfare injects for integration into the exercise scenario.
IWC Conducts Classified TILT-C for SOCCENT. IWC facilitated a classified level Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course for Special Operations Command-Central at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The course focused on refining SOCCENT’s regional irregular warfare strategy and campaign, with attendees including key leaders and staff from SOCCENT’s J2 and J5, Combined Joint Special Operations Command Central J3 and J5, and USCENTCOM’s J39 Office of Strategic Effects.
• From October 7-11, 2024, Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) conducted fourth TILT-C course in support of the Irregular Warfare Analysts Couse (IWAC) pipeline at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Course was attended by 18 intelligence analysts. The IWC’s TILT-C is central component of a four-week IW analyst pipeline conducted twice a year.
• October 16, 2024, the Irregular Warfare Center delivered a Hybrid Threat Awareness lecture to students at the FBI’s National Academy. Over 90 local, state, federal and international law enforcement officers were presented with vignettes of current hybrid threats to increase awareness and understanding of irregular activities in the U.S. Participants also received an understanding of how a whole-of-government approach to integrated deterrence can enhance national security.
• From October 7-10, 2024, the Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) participated in the Hybrid Center of Excellence and Austrian National Defense Academy Disinformation Conference and Wargame. Participants from 12 allied and partner nations helped to build cohesion and exercise resilience against future hybrid threats.
• From October 29-31, 2024, the Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) co-hosted the Intelligence Support to Irregular Warfare (IW) Symposium with the Office of Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Intelligence and Security (I&S), in Annapolis, Maryland. Over 143 attendees from across the intelligence community including the Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, Special Operations Forces, engaged in discussions illuminating gray zone activities from an intelligence perspective.
• Delivered a Counter Hybrid and Asymmetric Threats Workshop in Asia from September 9-13 for 36 representatives from 21 different foreign government organizations.
• Co-hosted the Irregular Warfare: Post 9/11 Lessons Learned Conference in collaboration with Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) from September 17-18 in Annapolis, MD. The event brought together former U.S. senior level commanders, Afghan commanders, members of the Afghanistan War Commission, and over 135 attendees to discuss fields ranging from OIE to medical and sustainment challenges in an IW context.
• Assumed publication responsibilities of PRISM: The Journal of Complex Operations, underscoring IWC’s commitment to serving as the central mechanism for IW thought and action not only within DoD, but across academia and the interagency.
• Hosted the Center’s 2nd annual University Research Colloquium from September 26-27 in Arlington, VA. The event brought together senior IW scholars and practitioners with U.S. and international graduate students, expanded the network of IW scholars, and focused their research on seeking actionable findings.
• Published the first IWC book, “The Future Faces of Irregular Warfare.”
• Supported the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and UK Strategic Command Rapid Capabilities Assessment (RCA) 15 Smart Cities: Future Challenges for Special Operations Forces Conference from September 16-20.
• Delivered a Comprehensive Defense / Counter Hybrid Threat (CHT) Course to a 113 participant, multinational group of European partner nations. The course supports the IWC’s efforts to coordinate and bolster IW efforts among partner nations and improve resilience.
• Facilitated the third iteration of the National Resistance Design Course. This represents the latest iteration of the IWC’s support for the European Command’s strategic efforts in the region to enhance resilience.
• Supported US Special Operations Command’s Silent Quest TRIAD working group at Ft. Liberty, NC providing Space/IW subject matter expertise and enhancing the working group’s ability to address strategic threats in the cyber/space/SOF TRIAD.
• Executed a National Resistance Applications Course (NRAC) during academics’ portion of Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare (IW) Exercise from 8-13 July.
• Supported the Ridge Healer exercise, providing medical subject matter experts and an IW medicine presentation supporting objectives during medical scenarios.
• Delivered a Counter Hybrid Threats (CHT) workshop from 24-26 July for 50 participants from 14 ministries and organizations.
• Co-hosted the Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare (IW) Exercise Distinguished Visitor Days at Camp Dawson, West Virginia on 24-25 July. The exercise provides a dynamic and realistic platform for allies and partners to conduct irregular warfare training, develop interoperability, and enable training to enhance strategic IW capabilities.
• Provided academic support to USASOC’s Silent Quest, instructing US Army Special Operations Forces on the convergence of TRIAD capabilities and IW concepts and strategies.
• Supported the publication of PRISM Volume 10, Issue 4, the second issue of PRISM cobranded with the IWC and National Defense University (NDU), extending the IWC’s ability to inform the national defense community of the latest research into IW.
• Attended the Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups maritime conference at the US Naval War College, supporting the Center of Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups (CIWAG) effort and develop future collaboration with the Navy’s IW focus group.
• Provided a keynote presentation at the Allied SOFCOM SOF Advisor (SOFAD) Conference held at NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey, addressing Irregular Warfare and Comprehensive/Total Defense. Attendees from various NATO commands and nations with a NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU), and members of NATO LANDCOM attended the IWC presentation.
• Co-hosted the Spring IW Forum at Ft. Liberty, NC along with Special Warfare Center and School and the College of International Security Affairs for graduating academics. Providing IW breakout groups to discuss efforts in irregular warfare topics.
• Facilitated the first of two initial IWC train-the-trainer Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) events in support of the US Army Irregular Warfare Proponent and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s (USAJFKSWCS) designated Irregular Warfare advanced skill battalion, 6th Battalion, 2nd Special Warfare Training Group.
• The Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) supported the Ridge Runner and Ridge Healer academic week for members of the U.S. Special Operations Command, multiple allies, and partners. This is the third Ridge Runner and Ridge Healer event of FY 24 that reinforces the National Defense Strategy to work together with Allies and partners to modernize denial capabilities, increase interoperability, improve resilience against attack and coercion.
• Hosted the IWC Community of Interest Symposium in Northern Virginia, to collaborate across the Department, interagency, academia, industry, and international partners. Additionally, to introduce the IWC Functional Area Network to the IW community, which will provide the Department and key allies and partners with a rapid method for globally crowd-sourcing solutions to irregular challenges.
• Hosted the INDOPACOM IW Conceptualization Workshop in Northern Virginia, to collaboratively examine IW in the region as perceived by allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
• Deliver TILT-C for SPACECOM at Patterson AFB.
• Attended the Partnership for Peace Consortium (PfP-C) Steering Committee meeting in Europe, as a co-chair for the newly established Irregular Warfare and Hybrid Threats Working Group.
• Facilitated the Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) methodology for the non-DoD Intelligence Community’s strategic leadership development workshop.
• Led an academic week for the British Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) Brigade and multinational partners.
• Delivered the National Resistance Applications Course (NRAC) and an Irregular Warfare (IW) 101 course to multi-national European allies and partners SOF and intelligence personnel.
• Completed curriculum development of the first Irregular Warfare (IW) 101 course that will be used as a foundation for the Army University’s IW education elective program.
• Provided academic support to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Silent Quest experimentation series academic week at Ft. Liberty, NC to deepen an understanding of the IW in SOF, Space and Cyber (TRIAD).
• Conducted a National Resistance Applications Course (NRAC) to participants to address national strategy design and campaigning focused on implementing a national resistance concept.
• Presented “Lessons from the Ukraine-Russia Conflict” during the U.S. Special Operations Command’s professional development week at MacDill AFB, Florida to provide an insight into current and relative, resistance to invasion strategies and tactics.
• Conducted introductory meetings with the Head of Strategic Foresight, at NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) to explore collaboration opportunities between IWC and NATO ACT on topics such as future warfare and Future Operating Environment(s) of NATO.
• Facilitated a one-day Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) for a classified operational unit of the Intelligence Community (IC) supporting a real-world strategy and campaign reframing at a TS/SCI compartmented level program.
• Hosted the third iteration of IW Medical Sustainment in Bethesda, MD that facilitated tabletop exercises and working group discussions to develop courses of action to provide policy and doctrine suggestions to meet medical community requirements to provide sustained, prolonged field care to casualties in denied areas.
• Facilitated a Comprehensive Defense Workshop and Wargame scenario with the Navy Post Graduate School in INDOPACOM, attended by 40 partner nation officers and non-commissioned officers, to assist regional Special Operations Command (SOF) in planning national comprehensive defense strategies.
• Conducted a 2024 and 2025 IWC strategic and operational-level resistance support planning with Special Operations Forces – Europe to continue developing and validating European national resistance planning concepts.
• Participated in the Partnership for Peace Consortium Annual Conference in Garmisch, Germany to contribute to regional stability through multinational defense education.
• IWC’s Director of Training at Finland’s Hybrid Center of Excellence (HCOE) conducted a virtual tele-conference with SWCS to convey the mandate of the HCOE and potential synergies between programs.
• Co-hosted the Irregular Warfare (IW) Forum with the U.S. John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) and the College of International Security Affairs, to provide a collaborative avenue bringing IW to the forefront of discussions within the Department of Defense (DOD), academia and the inter-agency.
• Conducted engagements with the Commander, Norwegian Special Operations Command to discuss collaboration to provide IW education in Europe’s High North to address Russian threats in the region.
• Briefed Special Operations Liaison officers from eight allied and partner nations assigned to United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on the mission of the IWC and gathered key information on what their nations’ number one IW priorities are.
• Met with the Intelligence Community Irregular Warfare Community of Interests’ (IC IW COI) leadership to discuss the partnership between IWC and IC IW COI.
• Conducted an interview with Dr. Sinduja Jayaratne from the Sri Lankan Sir John Kotelawala Defence University as part of IWC`s Irregular Warfare (IW) Conceptualization in the Indo-Pacific Region Study.
• Conducted a National Resistance Design Course for the Moldovan Ministry of Defense General Staff and Inter- ministerial partners supported by Special Operations Command Europe and United Kingdom Special Forces.
• Met with the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Hybrid Threat Resilience Group, Mobilization and Civil Resistance Department, and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and his advisors to discuss the designing of a comprehensive defense education program.
• Participated in a combined IWC, Special Operations Command Europe, and United Kingdom Special Forces effort to support the Georgian General Staff develop their Chief of Defense-directed draft of the National Resistance Operations Planning Guidance.
• Moderated a roundtable at the National Defense Transportation Association/Transportation Command’s Fall Meeting and incorporated the IWC into TRANSCOM strategic education and training with a session on austere logistics. Met with USTRANSCOM Commander and set groundwork for collaboration regarding contested logistics.
• Attended the Information Operations – Phoenix Challenge in Honolulu, Hawaii and participated in classified discussions to identify gaps in current IW curriculum.
• Conducted the second Top Secret/Secret Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) in support of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and Task Force 40-25 Irregular Warfare Analysts Couse (IWAC) pipeline at Fort Liberty, NC.
• Led a collaborative effort involving Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), US Ministry of Defense Advisor (MODA), United Kingdom Special Forces, and Romanian Special Forces, to assist the Republic of Moldova General Staff in developing their Moldovan National Resistance Concept.
• Attended the International Studies Association Annual Conference at the U.S. Air Force NCO Academy in Colorado Springs, CO to discuss IWC support to education and curriculum alignment across departments.
• Held classified discussions with the Office of the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)) Directorate of Human Intelligence and Special Activities staff, to discuss IWC strategy and campaign planning support to sensitive OUSD(I&S) efforts.
• Facilitated a workshop for eight Scandinavian and Baltic countries, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) J3I, and NATO Allied Special Operations Forces (SOF) Command at the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Met with Directorates of the National Security Council to discuss IWC efforts and capabilities and to discuss relevance and effectiveness of current U.S. irregular warfare efforts.
• Attended and participated in an irregular warfare panel hosted by U.S. Army Central in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to discuss the conceptualization of irregular warfare as it pertains to the Middle East.
• Supported the National Defense University`s College of International Security Affairs’ course titled, Strategic Competition in the Cognitive Domain: From Analysis to Action in Sofia, Bulgaria delivered to over 60 Bulgarians from civil society.
• Supported the 2023 Comprehensive Defense Working Group (CDWG) run by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia that assists with the nation’s development of a resistance handbook.
• Met with Estonian Special Operations Forces in Tallinn, Estonia to discuss IWC’s participation to hone the nation’s resilience and resistance capabilities to bolster Special Operations Command – Europe’s operational intent in the region.
• Presented at the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy’s annual Retrainer in Ghent, Belguim, hosting over 100 senior law enforcement officers from 22 European nations, to illuminate the necessity to develop a whole-of- government approach to resiliency in Europe.
• Presented at the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy’s annual Retrainer in Oman, Jordan with over 70 senior law enforcement officers from 17 Middle East and African nations, providing vignettes of real-world hybrid threats.
• Coordinated with Latvian military commanders in Riga, Latvia to develop understanding of application of Irregular Warfare (IW) to address and prepare for hybrid threats to their national security and sovereignty.
• Conducted a follow-up key leader engagement with the Lithuanian Parliamentary Chair for the National Security and Defence Committee (HASC and SASC equivalent) and the Head of Threat Management and Crisis Prevention at the Lithuanian Prime Minister’s Office in Vilnius, Lithuania to provide feedback regarding irregular warfare actions.
• Attended an Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) seminar titled Irregular Warfare (IW) in the Australian Context to better understand how allies and partners conceptualize IW in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Sponsored a Hybrid Wargame for 14 nations including Ukraine government officials at the Helsinki Center of Excellence for countering Hybrid Threats in Finland.
• Facilitated the IW Sustainment Resiliency Working Group for 40 participants from the DoD, academia, and industry to discuss challenges associated with sustaining operations in contested and denied environments in Bethesda, MD.
• Hosted 50 medical professionals from across the Department of Defense (DoD), Non-Government Organizations, Department of State and partners and allies from Canada, Poland, and the United Kingdom for IWC’s Irregular Warfare (IW) Medical Resiliency Wargame event in Bethesda, MD.
• Funded senior Taiwanese Officers to attend the Strategic Leaders International Course designed for senior military leaders, diplomats, and senior government officials from U.S. partner nations.
• Presented Irregular Warfare (IW) case studies to U.S. and international universities at the International Studies Association – Asia Pacific Conference in Tokyo, Japan.
• Conducted a three-day tailored Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) for the Latvian National Resistance and Unconventional Warfare Working Group.
• Met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Military Liaison Office and Global Partnership Unit to discuss future domestic and transnational relationship to address threats to U.S. national security and develop a whole-of-government approach to resiliency for international partners and allies.
• Met with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to discuss increasing collaboration on intelligence support to irregular warfare, curriculum, and doctrine development.
• Participated in the Homeland Defense Awareness Symposium in Colorado Springs; developed relationships to collaborate on educating hybrid threat awareness for homeland defense practitioners.
• Supported the Special Operations Integration Course at the NATO School (NSO) in Oberammergau, Germany, educating 25 officers from 14 different countries.
• Held a series of European key leader engagements with the Commanding General of Poland’s Territorial Defense Forces, the United Kingdom Rangers and 77th I/O Brigade and the Commander of the Special Operations Command – Europe.
• Facilitated a five-day Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) for United States Special Operations Command medical strategists and campaign designers.
• Hosted national security scholars from 15 universities during the first IWC University Colloquium, a two-day event presenting irregular warfare research to IW professors and practitioners.
• Met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Military Liaison Office and Global Partnership Unit to discuss future domestic and transnational relationship to address threats to U.S. national security and develop a whole-of- government approach to resiliency for international partners and allies.
• Conducted a series of meetings with Latvian Special Operations Forces and the Latvian Ministry of Defense for IWC support to the implementation and development of the Latvian National Resistance Concept and national continuity of governances’ concepts.
• Met with representatives from Office of IWC and Foreign Service Institute to discuss cosponsoring a future Irregular Warfare/Strategic Competition Seminar to be held in November or December 2023 in Washington DC.
• Participated in the Phoenix Challenge working group on the 2023 Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE) Implementation Plan Framework.
• Conducted a classified Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
• Participated in the Partnership for Peace Consortium IW Working Group which has the task to adapt an existing Swedish Defence University Senior Leader Program for Ukrainian senior military.
• Presented IWC’s mission to the Naval War College’s IW Maritime Symposium attended by DoD, IA, Allies, Partners, and civilian stakeholders.
• Met with representatives from Indo-Pacific Command’s Federal Bureau of Investigation Detachment, Homeland Security Investigation to discuss collaborative efforts to counter Chinese influence.
• Delivered a lecture on “Special Warfare Deterrence and Resistance” for the Higher Command Studies Course (War College equivalent) at the Baltic Defence College in Estonia.
• In conjunction with the West Virginia National Guard, hosted a Distinguished Visitor Day, providing government officials, allies and partners an overview of the full spectrum Ridge Runner IW training facility for U.S. and international forces to validate strategic and operational concepts to address global security concerns.
• Met with the Chief Technology officer of the U.S. Army Development Command (DEVCOM) Research Laboratory and staff to discuss partnering on the use of relevant IW emerging technology.
• Briefed the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) on areas of partnership including August 2023 Resilience Conference as means of countering the adversaries’ use of irregular warfare.
• In partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), attended the Asia Pacific FBI National Academy Retrainer Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia presenting the importance of a Whole-of-Government approach to deterring hybrid threats to national security.
• Discussed collaborative opportunities with the Irregular Warfare Community of Interest (IWCOI) to introduce key leaders to the Center and establish the IWC’s permanent membership on the IWCOI.
• Staffed DoD Directive 3000.07 Irregular Warfare Policy, updating DoD policy that assigns responsibilities for conducting irregular warfare (IW) across the full spectrum of conflict.
• Submitted Irregular Warfare Center 180 day Congressional Review report.
• The IWC participates in the Joint Staff Irregular Warfare Working Group collaborative monthly meeting with stakeholders from DoD, IA, and Allies to address and coordinate IW policy, doctrine, and other critical IW issues relevant to U.S. National Security.
• Conducted Cultural Evolution/Human Domain work and how this topic fits within IW and develop concepts for DoD.
• Conducted key leader engagements with the Lithuanian Defense and Parliamentary Officials.
• Working with INDOPACOM, and Interagency liaisons to discuss security cooperation and collaboration.
• Coordinated with interagency offices to conduct a TILT-C.
• Conducted the first Counter Threat Finance (CTF) engagement with functional and global combatant leaders.
• Secured General Fenton’s Vision and Key Themes, with him stating that he is committing a significant portion of his resources to IW.
• Networked the IWC with all the Theater Special Operations Command teams and SOCOM staff to strengthen our network.
• Coordinated two Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) events with United States Army Special Operations Command and with the U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne).
• Completed a syllabus re-design for the Special Operations Force Integration Course (SOFIC) at the NATO School in Oberammergau (NSO).
• Co-sponsored NSIN, Critical Resource Summit addressing Chinese efforts to monopolize critical assets.
• Presented and participated at the Special Operations Medical Association conference.
• Sponsored international officers to attend the Colombian Regional Center for Strategic Studies, Irregular Warfare in a Complex Security Environment Seminar.
• Coordinated the IW Symposium at Ft. Liberty with National Defense University and U.S. Army Special Warfare Center.
• The IWC participated in the Joint Staff Irregular Warfare Working Group collaborative monthly meeting with stakeholders from DoD, IA, and Allies to address and coordinate IW policy, doctrine, and other critical IW issues relevant to U.S. National Security.
• Instructed the Irregular Warfare Campaigning course at the Lithuanian Military Academy and provided a brief to the Lithuanian Parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee.
• Participated with Moldovan Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) at the Moldovan Comprehensive Defense Cross-Sector Workshop in Chișinău Moldova.
• Coordinated with Department of Homeland Security at INDOPACOM to explore collaboration on security cooperation efforts.
• Coordinated with the Director of Counterintelligence & Security Integration and Representative to the National Counterintelligence Task Force to conduct a Transformational Irregular Warfare Leaders Thought Course (TILT-C) focused on maintaining technological advantage.
• Participated in the University of North Georgia’s conference on human security.
• Conducted the first Counter Threat Finance (CTF) engagement with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) to explore CTF as a professional military education topic.
• Hosted fourteen Department of Defense Professional Military Education (PME) Institutions for the Center’s PME Day, identifying how the institutions can leverage the IWC to better prepare the department to conduct IW.
• Hosted the inaugural IWC University Week, attended by sixteen civilian universities to create partnerships with numerous academic institutions on trans-disciplinary research.
• The IWC participated in the Joint Staff Irregular Warfare Working Group collaborative monthly meeting with stakeholders from DoD, IA, and Allies to address and coordinate IW policy, doctrine, and other critical IW issues relevant to U.S. National Security.
• Interviewed Counter Threat Finance (CTF) experts at SOCOM and CENTCOM on the transformation of CTF from the counternarcotics and counterterrorism domains to great power conflict.
• Briefed the Defense Intelligence Agency Joint Military Intelligence Training Center (JMITC) on IWC support to the Irregular Warfare Analyst Course redesign.
• Instructed a strategic IW course at the Baltic Defense College (PME) in Estonia.
• Met with the Lithuanian Parliament National Defense Committee to assist in developing national Total Defense.
• Supported the Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare Exercise by instructing the operational and strategic-level National Resistance Application Seminar (NRAS) to USSOF and foreign allies and partners.
• Supported a U.S. Special Operations Command engagement with Interagency to deconflict and provide transparency for an IWC regional USSOCOM event.
• Hosted the Georgetown IW seminar with students, cadres, and university staff from Georgetown, George Washington, American and Catholic Universities.
• Hosted an international panel of professors from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, and the Netherlands to discuss Europe’s approach to IW.
• The IWC participated in the Joint Staff Irregular Warfare Working Group collaborative monthly meeting with stakeholders from DoD, IA, and Allies to address and coordinate IW policy, doctrine, and other critical IW issues relevant to U.S. National Security.
• Collaborated with USASOC to develop IW operation concept for the Army.
• Met with the School of Advanced Military Studies to instruct an IW Strategic Thought Course (TILT-C) and develop a unified effort to teach IW curriculum in Professional Military Education Institutions.
• Collaborated with the government of Latvia and providing assistance on developing security cooperation efforts.
• Participated in the Georgian government’s Inter-ministerial Collaboration Forum focused on improving national resilience through inter agency collaboration.
• Conducted initial discussion with INDOPACOM and the IA partners regarding the Asian Pacific Retrainer.
• Participated in the USSOCOM IW Logistics Conference.
• Instructed an IW Strategic Thought Course (TILT-C) for USSOCOM.
• Engaged w/ SOCOM on Joint Collective Training to support Security Cooperation.
• Hosted the IW Medical Resiliency working group.
• Briefed the A/DASD SO/LIC on IWC’s achievements through Q1, FY3 which was met with praise for beyond-expected accomplishments.
• Conducted a KLE with the NATO Special Operations School to coordinate partnering and collaboration on current and future courses and other educational opportunities as well as review curriculum and identify educational gaps in IW.
• Worked with the George C. Marshal Center to evaluate IW curriculum and was invited to a Hybrid Threat course at the Regional Center.
• Conducted outreach with foreign partners and attended the SOCEUR-led Moldova Advisory Mission to provide solutions for the Moldova Ministry of Defense.
• Met with the West Virginia National Guard Commanding General and Chief of Staff to discuss IWC opportunities for strategic application during the Ridge Runner exercise.
• Met with IA partners in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command region to explore collaboration opportunities to address security concerns from a justice perspective.
• Conducted KLEs with the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to provide an overview of the IWC to USSOCOM leaders and staff members.
• Established relationships with ten U.S. Embassies and Foreign Defense Attachés to coordinate travel for 16 international attendees for upcoming IW events.
• Launched the IWC website, meeting all security requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) and allowing access across all NIPR platforms within DoD.
• Established a partnership with NSI to work on Chinese Irregular Warfare activities report and a separate work on Russian Irregular Warfare Activities to provide the IW Community with in-depth analytical products.
• Published six organic IWC publications.
• Participated in the SOCEUR-led Moldova Advisory Mission.
• Attended the SOF & Worldwide Ops Conference in Tampa.
• Attended and presented at the Gray Zone Conference at GW University.
• Attended the NDIA SOLIC Conference.
• Participated in the IWSFA Working Group.
• Conducted PDSS to Lithuania to discuss and plan IW curriculum, IW Medicine and Counter-Hybrid Threats.
• Attended the USASOC and Global SOF Modern Warfare Week Engagement.
• Initial discussions with USAID Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.
• IWC officially established.
• Provided Republic of South Africa IWC support options.
• IWC achieved Initial Operating Capacity.
Join us at this year's IW Symposium
Irregular Warfare in the Homeland: Adapting for a Secure Future
August 4-6, 2026
The Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) is hosting a 2.5-day symposium on the Defense of the Homeland. This symposium embodies the NDS's call for a clear-eyed realism that leverages all elements of national power.
