One CA Podcast

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host John McElligott interviews Scott Fisher, an assistant professor and Army Reserve Officer with a background in information operations (IO).

They discuss Fisher's career path, the vital connection between civil affairs (CA) and IO, and the challenges the U.S. military faces in the information environment compared to adversaries like Russia.

The conversation highlights the importance of a coordinated, non-kinetic approach to modern warfare.

Read the transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sprinkle-some-io-rethinking-us-information-operations-scott-f7ive/?

The concept of a "non-kinetic cell" or "information working group" represents a strategic evolution in warfare. The anecdote of a radio distribution leading to a measurable change in local sentiment illustrates a key principle: the success of information campaigns is directly tied to the ability to deliver the message and measure its effects.

In an era of strategic competition, how can the U.S. military reform its information operations doctrine to empower Civil Affairs and IO teams with greater autonomy, agility, and measurable impact in the human domain? 🤔

For more information, think tanks and academic institutions specializing in this topic include the Center for a New American Security (#CNAS), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (#CSIS), the Institute for the Study of War (#ISW), and Freedom House (#FreedomHouse).

#OneCAPodcast #InformationOperations #CivilAffairs #USMilitary #NationalSecurity #PSYOP #ArmyReserve #StrategicInfluence #NonKineticWarfare #HumanDomain

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host John McElligot talks with Dr. Alex Nesich and Dr. Patrick Christian, both from Valcomere. The company focuses on building social science training and applications for Special Operations Forces (SOF). They discuss their unique approach to preparing SOF detachments for deployment by providing a deeper understanding of the "human domain" and the complex, underlying conditions of conflict.---

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One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, developmentofficers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with apartner nation's people and leadership.

We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations. 

To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org

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Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:

https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/

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Transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/war-peace-human-terrain-how-valcomere-equips-civil-affairs-xuhne/

🎙️ Strategic Lessons from Norm Cotton: Civil Affairs at the Edge of Relevance

Norm Cotton joins One CA Podcast to expand on the themes from our recent LinkedIn article, offering a candid and strategic critique of Civil Affairs doctrine, institutional blind spots, and the persistent failure to operationalize lessons learned.

Drawing from his work at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) and decades of operational insight, Cotton reframes Civil Affairs as strategic infrastructure—essential to governance restoration and post-conflict transitions.

This episode continues One CA’s mission to elevate voices from the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations—featuring military, diplomatic, and development professionals working at the edge of relevance.

📌 Topics Covered:
Civil Affairs strategy • Post-conflict operations • Institutional memory • Irregular warfare • Doctrine design • Strategic messaging • Defense policy • Governance restoration

🏛️ Featured Organizations:
Civil Affairs Association • Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) • Institute for Military Support to Governance • USACAPOC • Joint Staff J5/J7 • SOCOM • National Defense University (NDU)

📎 Read the companion article: LinkedIn Post

📣 Hashtags for Metadata & Social

#CivilAffairs #IrregularWarfare #StrategicTransitions #DefenseMatters #PostConflictOps
#DoctrineDesign #InstitutionalMemory #StrategicInfrastructure #NationalSecurity
#NormCotton #OneCAPodcast #MilitaryPodcast #DefenseInnovation #HumanDomain
#GovernanceRestoration #IDA #IMSG

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, John McElligott interviews Kevin Melton, the Senior Civil Military Transition Assistance Specialist for the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI).

They discuss OTI's mission as a "venture capitalist" of the development community, its engagement criteria, and its crucial role in complementing military operations.

The conversation highlights the importance of whole-of-government approaches, information sharing, and proactive coordination between the Civil Affairs community and OTI to achieve sustainable political outcomes.

Transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-south-sudan-strategy-kevin-meltons-journey-through-uinie/?---

One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.

We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations. 

To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org

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Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:

https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/

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For more information, think tanks and academic institutions that specialize in this topic include the Center for Strategic and International Studies (#CSIS), the United States Institute of Peace (#USIP), the Council on Foreign Relations (#CFR), and the RAND Corporation (#RANDCorporation).

#OneCAPodcast #CivilAffairs #USMilitary #USAID #OTI #USArmy #CivMil #WholeOfGovernment #StabilityOperations #ForceMultiplier, #Sudan

Welcome to the One CA Podcast.

Today, we have Dr. Larry Hufford from St. Mary's University of San Antonio, TX, who discusses the current situation in Northern Ireland, why lasting peace is so difficult, and what effect Brexit might have.

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Recorded and edited by Sarah Kelly.  Music "Kowloon Park Singers" by Robert Gilks

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Transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond-peace-northern-irelands-struggle-transformation-uonme/

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Considering the complex interplay of politics, economics,and identity in post-conflict societies, what role do you think Civil Affairsshould play in helping a society transition from "conflictmanagement" to "conflict transformation"? 🤔

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For more information, think tanks and academic institutionsthat specialize in this topic include the Peacekeeping and StabilityOperations Institute (#PKSOI), the Civil Affairs Association(#CivilAffairsAssociation), the London School of Economics (#LSE), andthe United States Institute of Peace (#USIP).

#OneCAPodcast #CivilAffairs #NorthernIreland#GoodFridayAgreement #Peacebuilding #ConflictResolution #Brexit#IdentityPolitics #CivilMilitaryOperations

Welcome to One CA Podcast. Today we have SFC Valor Breez and CPT Jarrett Redman discuss their winning paper titled, "Beyond Hearts & Minds: Transforming the Civil Affairs Regiment to Consolidate Gains in 21st Century Warfare." The paper was published in Volume 4 of 2017-2018 Civil Affairs Issue Papers published by PKSOI. Their co-author was SFC Sean Acosta.

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Transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-tactical-wins-strategic-outcomes-case-civil-affairs-ajrfe/

SFC Valor Breez and CPT Jarrett Redman discuss their winning paper titled, "Beyond Hearts & Minds: Transforming the Civil Affairs Regiment to Consolidate Gains in 21st Century Warfare." The paper was published in Volume 4 of 2017-2018 Civil Affairs Issue Papers published by PKSOI. Their co-author was SFC Sean Acosta.

Welcome to One CA Podcast. Today we have John Stefula, Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, discusses the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) and the implications of their mission for Civil Affairs. He also talks about the value of company and field-grade CA members sharing their lessons learned from training and deployments.

Call for Papers by the Civil Affairs Association.

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Transcript: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/john-stefula-building-strategic-trust-one-ca-podcast-w6bie/?

John Stefula, Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, discusses the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) and the implications of their mission for Civil Affairs. He also talks about the value of company and field-grade CA members sharing their lessons learned from training and deployments.

Call for Papers by the Civil Affairs Association.

Welcome to One CA Podcast. Today we have Michael Schwille, Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, discusses his growth in Civil Affairs, experiences in Iraq and Djibouti, and how civilian work with the RAND Corporation relates to CA.

Find Major Schwille on LinkedIn.

Check out the Civil Affairs Association online for a Call for Papers and upcoming events.

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Transcript: on