A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

In "Beyond Task Force Smith: 'National' Unpreparedness for War in Korea," Mike Lynch tells the rest of the story behind the initially unsuccessful U.S. intervention in Korea. More than a failure to have trained combat formations at the ready, Lynch shows how unprepared the nation was to man, equip, and sustain forces for combat in an unexpected theater. Does the U.S. face similar circumstances now, with a war-weary nation seeking peace dividends? What are the implications for the nation being prepared for the next fight?

In "Forecasting the South Africa Elections," Dan Hampton and Chris Wyatt review the political landscape since the parliamentary elections of eighteen months earlier. Trends toward up and coming political parties have stalled a bit while the more established African National Congress is rebranding itself. What do Dan and Chris think will happen in the elections and thereafter, and what might it mean for the U.S.?

A BETTER PEACE welcomes General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith to the studio to discuss his perspectives on strategic leadership and balancing continuity with the need for change. The British Army has a very long history, and General Carleton-Smith addresses the importance of remembering and maintaining that history, especially today with emerging views that robust land-based forces and capabilities are no longer relevant or necessary. Decision making at the strategic level, therefore, balances the past, present, and future of the force while synthesizing military conceptions of risk, success, and failure with those of the political leaders. A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.

A BETTER PEACE presents "Transatlantic Trade: More Important than Ever" which examines the current state of trade between the U.S. and Europe. Johan Eliasson and Darrell Driver show that transatlantic trade remains many times greater and much more important politically than trade between the U.S. and China. However, as relations between the U.S. and Europe become more complex, sustaining trade may become more difficult.

A BETTER PEACE presents "Russian View of the West: It's Complicated," a conversation between Ambassador John Tefft, US Ambassador to Russia from 2014-2017 and U.S. Army War College Director of Eurasian Studies Bob Hamilton. Having served in Moscow following Russia's annexation of Crimea, AMB Tefft provides background and insights into Russia's strategic interests and challenges. Although many are looking to Russia through an adversarial lens, AMB Tefft offers some contrarian views based on his experience and observations.

A BETTER PEACE presents "Reliving the Civil War Through Battlefield Staff Rides," Christian Keller and Jacqueline E. Whitt They also discuss the best way to approach visiting a Civil War battlefield to get the most out of the experience -- preparing for the visit through reading and study; walking the ground; and post-visit reflection

A BETTER PEACE presents "Remote Warfare: Is Relying on Local Forces a Good Long-Term Option?" Special guest Emily Knowles of the Oxford Research Group's Remote Warfare Program and A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt explore the implications of NATO's on-going shift from traditional large-scale conventional operations toward smaller-scale unconventional operations ("remote warfare") involving local militias or groups. Are the beliefs that remote warfare is a cleaner or cheaper form of warfare true or mere myth? What are the other effects?

A BETTER PEACE presents "Russia, Great Power Competition, & Politics of Hybrid War" where Mitchell Orenstein and Darrell Driver discuss the history of great power dynamics and interests in Europe before the European Union. How does the current European structure disadvantage Russia? Therefore, what is Russia's alternative vision and how do her current actions and policies enable that vision?

A BETTER PEACE presents "Beyond Thucydides: Herodotus, Xenophon & Understanding War," Rob Farley and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the relevant and lasting impacts of two ancient Greek historians and writers not named Thucydides. Ironically, Herodotus and Xenophon were historically viewed as more important and relevant. How so, why did this change, and what modern insights can these two great writers provide contemporary leaders?

A BETTER PEACE presents "Know thy Enemy: Osama bin Laden & the Rise of the Non-State Actor," the latest in our Great Captains series in which we present the story of a contemporary villain whose actions have had a lasting impact on the character of war. Bin Laden's actions, beginning at Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, would eventually contribute to the prominence of non-state actors on the global stage. What can we learn from this story?

A BETTER PEACE presents the next episode in the Great Captains series, welcoming Dr. Bill Johnsen to the studio to tell the story of Chief of Staff of the Army George C. Marshall Jr. Undeniably, Marshall was a tremendous strategic leader who presided over the U.S.'s national war effort in World War II, while his professional character and willingness to speak truth to power are legendary. But is this enough to warrant the title of 'great captain'? Listen in to find out.

A BETTER PEACE welcomes Ambassador John Campbell to the studio to discuss the upcoming Nigerian elections and describe the very complex political and social landscape in Nigeria. Contrary to the mythical 'north-south' divide, Nigeria comprises about 350 different ethnic groups and languages such that being Muslim or Christian is just one differentiating factor. With 20,000 candidates vying for political office on the 16th of February, this weekend could signal a significant change in direction for the country.

A BETTER PEACE presents "Why Does the Media Cover Stories from Some Countries ... and not Others?" about how the location of a news event affects its newsworthiness, and therefore if and how long the event is covered. Explaining why is this so and the implications on strategists and the public are U.S. Army War College post-doctoral fellow Amanda Cronkhite and A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt.

In "Civil-Military Relations & the Dangers of Being a Highly Trusted Institution," Marybeth Ulrich and Jacqueline E. Whitt place society's present-day respect for its military in context. The U.S. Constitution was constructed on principles of checks and balances and key civil-military norms have come about as a result. What are the risks when the military's high esteem is out of balance with other government institutions?

In "Intellectual Property Rights & National Security," Rob Farley and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the legal and normative frameworks to manage and protect a nation's intellectual property (IP). In today's competitive environment, IP that a military leverages is critical for sustaining competitive advantage, but there are significant challenges from competing commercial interests to adversaries who take different approaches to IP rights. What's the impact on national security?