A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

On the Anniversary of the start of the Tet Offensive of 1968, A BETTER PEACE welcomes retired U.S. Ambassador Jim Bullington to provide his "Reflections on the Huế City Massacre" of 1968. Bullington tells his own story, and that of his wife, Tuy Cam, and also explores that consequences of the battle, occupation, and mass violence. How did Americans and their South Vietnamese allies respond to the Battle of Hue and how did the Tet Offensive affect the conduct of the war?

A BETTER PEACE presents "Roles (and Perils) of Being a Watchdog: The Press and Government" about the natural tensions between government and the media. While a free and independent media is a hallmark of freedom and provides an important check against government power, tensions can manifest in intimidation and violence against members of the press. U.S. Army War College post-doctoral fellow Amanda Cronkhite discusses the implications of these tension with A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt.

A BETTER PEACE continues its Great Captains series with a look at the strategic team of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Lee was a great strategic thinker at all levels of war; Jackson proved to be an exceptional field commander and strategic advisor to Lee. Each independently earned consideration of the title of Great Captain, their symbiotic relationship proved very powerful until Jackson's death. Presenting this story is U.S. Army War College Professor of History Christian Keller, moderated by A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt.

A BETTER PEACE presents "John Warden and an Enemy as a System," as Clay Chun and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss airpower theorist John Warden III and his approaches to modeling an enemy force. The five rings represented classes of targets and their relationship to each other, such that striking targets closer to the model's center would lead to greater effects. What are the uses and implications of applying this theory?

A BETTER PEACE presents "Leading and Managing Change: More than Just a Process," where War College professors Tom Galvin and Buck Haberichter discuss challenges and concepts of change in military organizations that go beyond what is addressed in the popular change management literature. Why is change hard in the military, and what are tools and concepts that leaders can use to enhance their chances of success?

A BETTER PEACE presents "What do you do with Force After You Win?" Wayne Lee, the Doud Distinguished Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Dr. Jacqueline E. Whitt, U.S. Army War College Professor of Strategy discuss how the transition from conflict to post-conflict depends greatly on the cultures of the combatants involved. Expectations of both conquerors and conquered have evolved from pre-industrial times to present, shaping the ends of warfare. Therefore, what are the proper post-conflict roles of militaries?

In "A 'Big Data' Approach to Winning the Asymmetric Fight," A BETTER PEACE welcomes Jacob Shapiro from Princeton U. to discuss a challenge to conventional wisdom in conflict -- that the combatant bringing greater power, applying it intelligently, and controlling the most territory are more likely to achieve their political outcomes. Asymmetric warfare emphasizes winning at local levels. How can strategic leaders roll up hundreds or thousands of local level successes and convert it into political success? WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill moderates.

A BETTER PEACE presents "John Boyd and the 'OODA' Loop," as Clay Chun and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss airpower theorist John Boyd and his efforts to reduce uncertainty on the battlefield. His Observe-Orient-Decide-Act loop originated as a tactical approach to engagement but evolved to a more strategic application of organizational learning. To what extent does the theory explain contemporary conflict?

A BETTER PEACE presents the conclusion of its podcast series on "The 'Lessons' of History." In part 3, "Documents Can Lie, Too," Con Crane, Jacqueline E. Whitt, and Andrew A. Hill talk about the importance of critical thinking for developing a historical mindset. From the subjectivity of first-person accounts to the modern phenomenon of so-called "fake news," what is presented as definitive history is almost assuredly not. How can a historical mindset help individuals sort out what information is valid or not?

A BETTER PEACE presents Part 2 of our roundtable, "The 'Lessons' of History." In this segment, "Judges, Not Lawyers," Con Crane, Jacqueline E. Whitt, and Andrew A. Hill talk about the roles of military historians in professional military education and the practice uses of military history in general. To what extent has the field of military history become insular, or yielded in practical use for political science?

A BETTER PEACE present a three-part roundtable, The "Lessons" of History with U.S. Army War College professors Con Crane, Jacqueline E. Whitt, and Andrew A. Hill. In this opening segment, "'History Teaches Us' Nothing," they raise questions about present-day uses and abuses of history. Misconceptions about the purpose, processes, and even the very meaning of the word history abound. The roles and activities of historians are similarly misunderstood. What does this mean for senior leaders?

A BETTER PEACE presents another release in the areas of leadership and self-awareness. In "Driven to Distraction: What Senior Leaders can do to Improve Focus," Amishi Jha and Buck Haberichter explore mindfulness training and its potential benefits for senior leaders. A recognized barrier to individual performance is a natural limitation of one's ability to focus on the situation at hand. Modern mindfulness training integrates ancient contemplative practices with today's psychology and neuroscience. This podcast explores how it works.

A BETTER PEACE -- The WAR ROOM Podcast welcomes Admiral John Richardson, the 31st Chief of Naval Operations, to present his perspectives on strategic leadership. Admiral Richardson's talk focuses on the qualities necessary to lead in an environment of growing great power competition -- integrity, toughness, accountability, and initiative. How should leader develop these qualities, and what are the roles of military institutions to foster them?

A BETTER PEACE explores the history of the INF and the controversies and implications of withdrawing from it in a two-part podcast series. Rob Farley and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the implications of the US planned withdrawal on both parties and other world powers. What does this withdrawal mean for other bi-lateral or multi-lateral treaties, or arms control in general?

A BETTER PEACE explores the history of the INF and the controversies and implications of withdrawing from it in a two-part podcast series. Grace Stettenbauer and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the history and structure of this treaty that President Trump had announced that the US would withdraw from. What was the INF about and what did or did it not accomplish?