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 of a particular state’s defense sector, other differences show widely divergent understandings based on who perpetuates and who are targeted by IW. Caught in the middle of these diverging views are U.S. warfighters, diplomats, and security cooperation professionals tasked with securing the United States from a myriad of IW threats that emanate far from America’s shores.

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 war. That claim matters even more now because the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has shown that contests over legitimacy, sanctions, coalition management, information, logistics, and economic resilience are not ancillary to war; they are central to it.

Six Key Lessons from Ukraine’s Drone War

Today’s world is rife with flashpoints for future conflicts, and America’s baptism by fire into drone warfare, such as we’ve seen in Ukraine, may be close at hand. Tactics and technologies born in the Russo-Ukrainian war have already appeared in Myanmar, Colombia, and Mexico, as well as in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq.

Clash or Convergence of Equities?: Exploring Overlap Between Russia and China in Africa

The ongoing civil war in Burma (also known as Myanmar) presents a critical challenge to regional stability and an opportunity to counter the growing influence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). While the conflict between the ruling junta and the resistance forces continues, the PRC is actively maneuvering to safeguard its economic and strategic interests. Despite claims of neutrality, Beijing’s actions reveal a clear bias toward the junta, providing crucial support while exploiting Burmese resources.