A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

A story ... breaks down more complicated theoretical concepts into something that is relatable. Among the challenges of educating senior national security professionals is that the dynamics and complexity of the strategic environment inhibits the creation of clean models or simple how-to guides. The context of each problem is different, as even the same type of problem will vary according to the relationships and histories of the actors and entities involved. So how can one teach career military officers, who have served mostly at unit level, think and make quality decisions and recommendations at the strategic level? One tool is the case method which is described in this presentation by Dr. Volker Franke from Kennessaw State University and Dr. Jacqueline E. Whitt, Professor of Strategy from the U.S. Army War College.     Volker C. Franke is Professor of Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Charity Murtorff

In "Learning Strategy Through Film," Mark Gagnon and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the many ways that films can be used in professional military education. From learning about strategic decisions and their impacts to broadening the world views and perspectives, films help viewers visualize the dynamics and complexity of strategic environments better than other media.

There's an old saying, "Command can be lonely." But it doesn't have to be. WAR ROOM welcomes Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army and Commander of the Australian Defense College to the studio to discuss matters of strategic leadership in conjunction with the U.S. Army War College's annual Strategy Conference. What separates successful strategic leaders from the less successful? WAR ROOM Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates. Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army, is the Commander of the Australian Defence College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, Australian Army, or the Department of Defense. Photo Credit: Australian National Audit Agency Releases from the Leader Perspectives series: A TRANSATLANTIC PERSPECTIVE ON NATO (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)OBSERVATIONS FROM NATO’S NORTHERN FRONT (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)ALLIES ARE MORE THAN FRIENDS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)THE CHALLENGES OF KEEPING SPACE SECURE (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)TENSIONS AND PARADOXES FACING SENIOR LEADERS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEADING AND WINNING IN GREAT POWER COMPETITION (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEARNING ABOUT LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE CLASSICS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)WHAT IT TAKES FOR COLONELS TO BE SUCCESSFUL (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)BALANCING BETWEEN CIVILIAN LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD“WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GET YOU THERE” — AND OTHER CAUTIONARY TALES FOR LEADERSWHEN THE MILITARY IS NOT IN CHARGE: DEFENSE SUPPORT TO CIVIL AUTHORITIESWHAT DOES ‘SUCCESS’ MEAN AS A STRATEGIC LEADER?STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND CHANGING THE US ARMY IN EUROPETHE CHALLENGES OF SENIOR LEADER COMMUNICATION

You assume professional competence at [the strategic] level, ... but the more senior you get in the armed forces or defense, the more you are looking for issues of character. WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Lieutenant-General Patrick Sanders CBE, DSO of the British Army, who addressed the 2018 resident class of the U.S. Army War College as part of the annual Kermit Roosevelt Exchange Lecture series. In this discussion, Lieutenant-General Sanders presents a British perspective on senior military leadership and success at the national strategic level. A fascinating discussion loaded with British history and perspectives on qualities of successful American officers. WAR ROOM Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-044-Sanders-Whitt-Senior-Leader-Perspectives_FIX.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Lieutenant-General Patrick Sanders CBE, DSO serves as the Commander Field Army in the British Army and was the United Kingdom's lecturer for the 2018 edition of the Kermit Roosevelt Exchange program. Jacqueline E. Whitt is WAR ROOM's Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Portrait of Kermit Roosevelt from the Library of Congress. Public domain. Image Credit: Tom Galvin Releases from the Leader Perspectives series: A TRANSATLANTIC PERSPECTIVE ON NATO (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)OBSERVATIONS FROM NATO’S NORTHERN FRONT (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)ALLIES ARE MORE THAN FRIENDS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)THE CHALLENGES OF KEEPING SPACE SECURE (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)TENSIONS AND PARADOXES FACING SENIOR LEADERS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEADING AND WINNING IN GREAT POWER COMPETITION (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)LEARNING ABOUT LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE CLASSICS (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)WHAT IT TAKES FOR COLONELS TO BE SUCCESSFUL (LEADER PERSPECTIVES)BALANCING BETWEEN CIVILIAN LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD“WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GET YOU THERE” — AND OTHER CAUTIONARY TALE...

It is difficult to describe just the unbelievable amount of destruction that Syria has gone through... since 2011.   WAR ROOM welcomes Dean of the U.S. Air War College Christopher Hemmer to the studio to explain the historical and present-day contexts of the on-going civil war in Syria. With possibly over 500,000 killed and untold destruction, it is easily one of the bloodiest wars in recent times. What are the factors fueling the war? Why has it drawn so much international attention? What can be done to stop it? These and many other questions are addressed with the assistance of WAR ROOM podcast editor and Professor of Strategy Jacqueline E. Whitt.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-056-Hemmer-Whitt-Syria.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Christopher Hemmer is Dean of the U.S. Air War College and expert on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, Air War College, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense. Photo: A veteran Syrian Democratic Forces soldier teaches a group of recruits about improvised explosive devices in Northern Syria on Oct. 10, 2017. Photo Credit: Staff Sergeant Richard Lutz/US Army

In "What is the State of U.S. Relations with Africa?" WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Ambassador (Retired) Phil Carter, former Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Enngagement of U.S. Africa Command to discuss current and enduring U.S. interests in Africa. While other regions of interest are garnering more headlines today, Ambassador Carter argues that U.S. relations in Africa will remain vital over the long haul. U.S. Army War College Director of African Studies Chris Wyatt moderates.

In "The Law of the Sea: Providing Order or Intruding on Sovereignty?" Al Lord and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS. This international agreement has been ratified by most Member States but not the US. Why not, and what are the implications for the US?

How should Europe respond to a US that might be pivoting away or might not see Europe as useful anymore? There's a number of camps, one might say. The relationship between US and Europe has faced many stresses and strains over the years, especially in present times as European leaders debate over the transatlantic partnership. Thus, WAR ROOM is pleased to welcome to the studio special guest Peter Sparding, a transatlantic fellow in the Washington office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. As the US faces increased competition from other regions of the world, whither Europe? And what does Europe have to say about the US?     You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Peter Sparding is a transatlantic fellow in the Washington office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where he works on foreign and economic policy developments in the United States and Europe. Darrell Driver is a colonel in the U.S. Army and the Director of European Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: NATO  

In "Close Friend in a Dangerous Neighborhood: On Japan-US Relations," WAR ROOM welcomes Wallace "Chip" Gregson (Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Retired), former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and former Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific to discuss the current and future relations between Japan and the U.S. and other issues of the Asian-Pacific Region. The long-standing friendship between U.S. and Japan remains vital as Japan reconsiders its military posture under the emergence of North Korea, China, and other regional competitors and challenges. What are U.S. options to keep this alliance strong in the years ahead?

The direction that Latin America takes is going to be, of course, up to the people of the region, but the region could look quite differently a year from now. WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Washington Office from the Council of the Americas, to discuss Latin American relationships with the U.S. Among the topics discussed are the North American Free Trade Agreement, Venezuela's political situation, Brazil's economic development, and the peace agreement in Colombia. Meanwhile, the U.S.'s role in the region is changing as other world powers are taking active interest, especially China. U.S. Army War College Director of American Studies Ian Lyles moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-026-Farnsworth-Lyles-Latin-American-Security.mp3   You may also download a copy of the podcast here.   Eric Farnsworth is the Vice President and Head of the Washington Office, Americas Society and Council of the Americas. Ian Lyles is a colonel in the U.S. Army and serves as the Director of Americas Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this warcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo:  The Colombian team stands in formation and renders honors during the opening ceremony for Fuerzas Comando 2014 on Fort Tolemaida, Colombia, July 23, 2014 (Department of Defense Photo).

If [President Mnangagwa] wants a genuine legacy of someone who has restored Zimbabwe to great prominence, he has an opportunity here, but ... they have to show us. The elections in South Africa signal a potential turning point in the nation's politics. Since of end of apartheid, the Africa National Congress, or ANC, has been the dominant party both politically and symbolically with Nelson Mandela being the first President of the newly-integrated nation. However, due to systemic corruption and other problems, the ANC is facing growing competition from other parties for the first time. What does this mean for the nation as national elections approach. Join Dan Hampton from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies and the Army War College's Director of African Studies Chris Wyatt as the as they discuss South Africa's present and future.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-029-Hampton-Wyatt-South-Africa-Elections-NEW-INTRO.mp3   You can also download the podcast here.   Dan Hampton is Chief of Staff and Professor of Practice at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Chris Wyatt is a colonel in the U.S. Army and is the Director of African studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or the Department of Defense. Photo: A woman looks at documents as she gets ready to cast her ballot during municipal elections at a polling station on August 3, 2016 in Soweto's Freedom Park, South Africa. Photo Credit: JOHN WESSELS/AFP/Getty Images  

WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Ludwig Blaurock, Counsellor for Political and Military Affairs, Security and Development Section from Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the U.S. He discusses current EU initiatives to address the emerging security challenges on the continent, and the EU's relationships with the U.S. and NATO, both of which he characterizes as growing stronger. U.S. Army War College's Director of European Studies Darrell Driver moderates.

The Army War College's 51st Commandant discusses what good strategic leaders do to develop others and construct positive developmental climates.

Military history has been seen [in India] by the political and academic establishment as a forgettable legacy of our colonial past. WAR ROOM welcomes special guest Air Vice Marshal (Dr.) Arjun Subramaniam, who retired from the Indian Air Force after 36 years of service, to provides his perspectives on relationships between India and the U.S., and discuss the importance of preserving a nation's military history. His well-researched and thought-provoking book India’s Wars: A Military History 1947-1971 shows the importance of India's military in sustaining its young democracy, and that its military history belongs in the mainstream of historical discourse. U.S. Army War College Director of South Asia studies Patrick Bratton moderates.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-014-Subramaniam-Bratton-Indian-Military-History.mp3   You may also download a copy of the podcast here.   Air Vice Marshal (Dr.) Arjun Subramaniam is a pilot-scholar-author who retired from the Indian Air Force after 36 years of service. Patrick Bratton is Associate Professor of National Security at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this warcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, Department of Defense, or the Indian Defense Forces. Photo: Indian National Cadet Corps (NCC) members salute as they take part in 'Flags of Honour', an event held at The National Military Memorial Park in Bangalore on July 26, 2011, held to commemorate The Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1999. The Kargil war was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Kashmir, between May and July 1999. The conflict led to heightened tension between the two nations and a noticeable increase in national military spending. Photo Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Clausewitz talkS about war being an extension of politics; for criminals, violence is ... an extension of the profit motive. Paul Kan and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss organized crime as an important force in the global security environment. Whether organized criminal activity by large transnational groups or networks of smaller groups perpetrating similar criminal behaviors like money laundering, organized crime has a destablizing effect on governments and societies. The speakers discuss the challenges of separating legal from illegal activity and the dispels a number of myths surrounding organized crime built up in popular media.   https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/18-022-Kan-Whitt-Organized-Crime.mp3   You can also download a copy of the podcast here.   Paul Kan is Professor of National Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM podcast editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or the Department of Defense. Photo: Police and military specialized units personnel custody an assortment of assault rifles seized to members of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs after an operation launched at the Marco Aurelio Soto national penitentiary in Tamara, 20 km north of Tegucigalpa, on August 29, 2017. Photo Credit: ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images