Early in academic year 2018, a group of US Army War College faculty and students came together in pursuit of an integrated research project devoted to an examination of contested deployment and the growing realization the US homeland can no longer be considered an inviolable zone in preparing for war. Expecting free movement of forces in mobilization, movement to ports of embarkation, and deployment against the nation’s adversaries is beneath reason. Two oceans and benevolent neighbors to the north and south can no longer be considered a significant buffer against internal and external enemies. Adversaries of the United States will seek to disrupt or disable the movement of its forces long before they can be placed in combat against foes overseas, and the nation must be prepared for this opposition.

Read the IRP: https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/948/

Download the full episode transcript here: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/15/2003341246/-1/-1/0/DP-3-11-PODCAST-TRANSCRIPT-TUSSING-POWELL-LEITZEL-CONTESTED-DEPLOYMENT.PDF

Keywords: COVID-19, strategic seaports, hybrid warfare, infrastructure, Interstate Highway System