The Warcast

By War on the Rocks

News & Politics

What's The Warcast about?

The geopolitical briefing that helps you make sense of the world as crises happen, for War on the Rocks members only.

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The Warcast episodes:

05.02.2019
Venezuela’s Military Ignoring Guaido’s Call to Join Democratic Opposition
Venezuela's Juan Guaido on Monday called on members of the military to rise up against the Maduro regime. Both pro- and anti-government supporters held demonstrations in Caracas but it appears that few of the military switched sides to join the...
05.02.2019
UK Restricts Huawei Involvement in 5G Network Development: Options
Theresa May has ordered to restrict Chinese telecoms supplier Huawei from supplying core parts of the U.K.'s future 5G mobile network. This follows from a recent leak by the U.K. Defense Chief about May's interest in greater Huawei cooperation. Melanie Hart,...
05.02.2019
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04.30.2019
China’s Second Belt and Road Forum: How Did It Go?
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted nearly 5,000 delegates from across the globe at the Belt and Road forum in Beijing to discuss his signature infrastructure project to re-envision and rebuild ancient trading routes across Eurasia. Nadège Rolland is Senior...
04.25.2019
Sri Lanka Reels from Catastrophic Easter Attack: What We’ve Learned So Far
Sri Lanka and its citizens are still reeling from the catastrophic Easter attack that killed over 300 people and shocked the country. Alan Keenan, Sri Lanka Project Director and Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group, joins the Warcast to detail...
04.24.2019
Ukraine’s Comic-Turned-Candidate Becomes President: What’s Next?
Volodymyr Zelensky, comedian and screenwriter, has won Ukraine's presidential election in a landslide. Jonathan Brunson, Former Senior Analyst on Ukraine with the International Crisis Group in Ukraine and U.S. Government consultant for Ukraine, joins the Warcast to discuss the implications. (~11...
04.22.2019
Mali’s Government Resigns After Massive Massacre
The entire government of Mali has now resigned following outrage over last month's massacre of 160 villagers by a militia operating in the country. There is also speculation over the extent to which dissolution resulted from the presiding president regarded...
04.17.2019
Haftar’s Offensive on Tripoli Stalled: Can Libya Avoid Full-Scale Civil War?
In Libya, the brazen military offensive led by Field Marshal Haftar on the capital, Tripoli, has become bogged down, as the risk for full-scale civil war escalates. Frederic Wehrey, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for...
04.16.2019
Update on Crisis in Venezuela: Grounds for Optimism?
The Venezuelan crisis rolls on as Russia, Cuba, and China continue their commitment to bolster the Maduro presidency and the U.S. considers its non-kinetic military options. Dr. Fabiana Sofia Perera, Assistant Research Fellow at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric...
04.15.2019
Algerians Reject Interim President: Demand New Government
Despite the departure of Bouteflika and despite the installation of an interim president leading up to the next elections, Algerian protests forcefully continue. Dr. Dalia Ghanem, Resident Scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, joins the Warcast to explore...
04.12.2019
Israeli Election Results Are In: Impact on Foreign Policy
Israelis have headed to the voting booth for national elections. Today, the results for the incredibly tight races have been determined. Natan Sachs, Director for the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, joins the Warcast to discuss the...
04.12.2019
Sudan’s Military Coup: President Bashir Ousted
Sudan's long-time dictator, al-Bashir, has been forced out in a military coup following months of mass protests. Rebecca Hamilton, Assistant Professor of Law at American University, Washington College of Law, and author of the book, Fighting for Darfur: Public Action and...
04.12.2019
Wikileaks’ Julian Assange Arrested for U.S. Extradition Case
Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, was pulled from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for extradition hearings after being charged by the U.S. Justice Department. Hilary Hurd, Contributor for the Lawfare blog and previous Global Advocacy Manager for Transparency International’s Defense & Security...
04.10.2019
Trump Designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Organization
The Trump Administration has designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the state's military apparatus, as a terrorist organization. What are the opportunities the Administration seeks with the designation? Will it work? Suzanne Maloney, Deputy Director of the Foreign Policy...
04.09.2019
U.S. Demonstrates Commitment with the Philippines: Loaded U.S.S. Wasp in South China Sea
The USS Wasp, loaded with F-35B Lightning II fighters, is spotted at the disputed Scarborough Shoal for this month’s Balikatan exercise. The demonstration follows the U.S. restatement of commitment to mutual defense with the Philippines, including the South China Sea. Gregory...
04.05.2019
Erdogan’s AKP Losses in Turkey: Foreign Policy Consequences?
In the recent local elections throughout Turkey, Erdogan’s AKP party suffered significant losses, notably in major cities. Lisel Hintz, Assistant Professor of International Relations and European Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, joins the Warcast to discuss the...
04.04.2019
Bouteflika Resigns But Algerians Aren’t Finished
After six weeks of anti-government protests, the Algerian army signaled its interest for its president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to resign. Ahead of his planned departure, Bouteflika resigned Tuesday night. Steven A. Cook, Senior Fellow for the Middle East and Africa Studies at the...
04.04.2019
U.S.-Turkey Impasse: F-35s Halted Over Russian Missile Defense Purchase
Following Turkey's unwillingness to halt its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, the U.S. has stopped delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts and manuals needed to prepare for the aircraft’s planned delivery this summer. Is the problem intractable? Aaron Stein,...
04.02.2019
Haftar’s Dramatic Gains in Libya: Tripoli Invasion Imminent?
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, operating under Libya's eastern-based government, has pulled his Libyan National Army (LNA) forces back from the south towards western Libya, in a move widely interpreted as staging plans for an assault on Tripoli. How likely is...
03.29.2019
UN Security Council and EU Condemn Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty of Golan: Part II
The U.N. Security Council - not including the U.S. - and all EU members have condemned the U.S. Presidential Proclamation to recognize Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights. Presuming the U.S. Congress follows suit, what are the geopolitical consequences of...
03.28.2019
U.S. President Recognizes Israel’s Sovereignty of Golan Heights: What Will Happen?
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an official presidential proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Michael Koplow, Policy Director for the Israel Policy Forum in Washington D.C., joins the Warcast to explore the precedent and the expected consequences. [...
03.27.2019
Russian Troops Arrive in Venezuela: Maduro Bolstered
Over the weekend, two Russian air force planes landed at Venezuela's main airport, carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 uniformed troops, adding to the Russian personnel already there. Shannon O'Neil, Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Senior Fellow...
03.27.2019
India Successfully Tests Anti-Satellite Missile Capabilities
Earlier today, India successfully demonstrated its anti-satellite missile capabilities, by shooting down a low orbit satellite. Prime Minister Modi declared that India has entered a elite era of space power. Ankit Panda, Adjunct Senior Fellow in the Defense Posture Project at...
03.25.2019
The Space Development Agency Is Set Up: Now What?
The Space Development Agency has been set up. It is touted to bring acquisition efficiencies, cost savings, and has plans to build a Low Earth Orbit network of satellites designed to better detect hypersonic weapons. How will it do? Joan Johnson-Freese,...
03.22.2019
US Senate Votes to End Support of Saudi Arabia in Yemen
Last week, the Senate passed a resolution to end U.S. support of Saudi Arabia in Yemen, 54-46. The resolution is all but certain to pass the House. Emma Ashford, Research Fellow in Defense and Foreign Policy the Cato Institute, joins the...
03.21.2019
Brexit Woes: UK Scrambles for Extension at EU Summit
With the U.K. unable to pass a Brexit draft in Parliament, European leaders are meeting Thursday, in part to decide whether to grant the U.K. an extension to its Brexit due on March 29. Erik Jones, Director of European and Eurasian Studies...
03.20.2019
U.S. Army 2020 Budget Request Increases: Prioritizes Modernization
Last week, the U.S. Army released its $182 billion spending request for fiscal 2020. David Johnson, Principal Researcher at the RAND Corporation, retired colonel, and author of Fast Tanks and Heavy Bombers, joins the Warcast to explore the changes and see...
03.20.2019
Consequences of Kazakhstan’s President Resigning: Part II
After 30 years in power, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has Abruptly Resigned. This is part II of two parts on the resignation of Central Asia's last Soviet-era leader. Nate Schenkkan, Director for Special Research at Freedom House and former journalist in...
03.19.2019
Kazakh President Abruptly Resigns After 30-Year Rule: Part I
Today, after 30 years in power, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has Abruptly Resigned. This is part I of two parts on the resignation of Central Asia's last Soviet-era leader. Bruce Pannier, Senior Correspondent for Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, joins the...
03.15.2019
Mass Protests Surge in Algeria: Demand Bouteflika Cede Now
In Algeria, despite the promise by President Bouteflika to not run again at the next election, mass protests surge today calling for an end to his 20-year rule. Haim Malka, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who...
03.15.2019
Pentagon Establishes Space Development Agency: Details
Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan has penned the memo formally stood up the Space Development Agency, as a new office under the direction of Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin. Dr. Brian Wedeen, Director of Program Planning for...
03.12.2019
U.S.-Backed Forces Attack Final ISIS Stronghold in Syria
In Syria, U.S.-backed forces have been laying siege to the last ISIS stronghold for weeks, postponing its final assault to allow the evacuation of thousands of civilians. On Sunday, the offensive has resumed. Craig Whiteside, Associate Professor at the Naval War...
03.08.2019
2020 Defense Budget Is Nearly Here: What To Expect
Next Tuesday, the Trump administration expects to deliver its fiscal 2020 defense budget to Congress. Rick Berger, Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former staffer with the Senate Budget Committee, joins the Warcast to discuss what's in it, how...
03.07.2019
Calm Prevailing Between India and Pakistan: Lessons
An uneasy calm seems to be prevailing between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir. Sameer Lalwani, Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center, joins the Warcast to discuss the stabilization...
03.05.2019
Guaido Returns to Venezuela: What Comes Next
After visiting five Latin American countries to shore up support for democracy in Venezuela, Juan Guaidó returns home, calling for renewed protests across the country demanding Nicolás Maduro step down. Harold Trinkunas, Deputy Director and Senior Research Scholar at the Center...
03.05.2019
Germany’s Arms Export Ban Frustrates European Partners
Germany's unilateral decision to halt all shipments of military equipment to Saudi Arabia has stopped 10's of billions of dollars worth of orders of joint European arms exports, bringing the question of deep arms export cooperation among European partners into...
03.01.2019
U.S.-North Korea Summit Ends Abruptly: What North Korea Offered
The two-day U.S.-North Korea summit ended abruptly yesterday, with notable discrepancies in reporting about what North Korea offered in the negotiations. Bruce Jentleson, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at Duke University, and former Policy Advisor to the U.S. State...
02.28.2019
India-Pakistan Confrontation: Update After Air Strikes
After the costly suicide attack in Kashmir last week, India on Tuesday responded by striking across the line of control (LOC), targeting a supposed Jaish-e-Mohammed camp. Rounds of reprisals between India and Pakistan have resulted in shooting down each other's...
02.25.2019
Why the U.S. Navy Canceled its Anti-Torpedo Defense System
In September, the Pentagon’s Office of the Director of Test and Evaluation revealed that after five years of testing, the Navy is canceling its ambitious Anti-Torpedo Torpedo Defense System. The project up to that point has cost the U.S. $760...
02.21.2019
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Killed in Suicide Attack: Iran Responds
Last week, 27 members of the IRGG were targeted and killed by a suicide attack from Jaish al-Adl, a Balochi autonomy group. Now, Tehran is calling for 'serious and decisive action' from Pakistan against the armed group whose havens are...
02.20.2019
Kashmir Suicide Attack: The Evolving Situation
Last week, a brutal suicide attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 42 Indian paramilitary members in Kashmir, the deadliest assault against security personnel in Kashmir in three decades. Yesterday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan offers to investigate, and, India claims to have...
02.20.2019
Mattis’ Shadow: NATO’s Reception of Shanahan
Last week, Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan visited Iraq, Afghanistan, NATO, and the Munich Security Conference. It was the first meeting Shanahan had with his 28 fellow NATO defense ministers since Mattis’s abrupt resignation last month. Sten Rynning, Head of the...
02.15.2019
Former US Intel Officer Indicted for Iranian Espionage
Monica Witt, a former Air Force Office has charged with espionage, defecting to Iran and sharing info potentially very damaging to America’s national security, officials have revealed. Mark Stout, Program Director of Global Security Studies and Intelligence at the Krieger School...
02.14.2019
Turkey Urges China to End Mass Detention of Uighurs
Turkey has called on the Chinese government to shut down its mass detention and reeducation camps currently estimated to hold over a million Uighur Muslims in the country. The internment camps have been in operation in China's Xinjiang, an autonomous...
02.13.2019
White House Reprogramming Unspent Federal Funds for Border Wall
The White House is pursuing plans to redirect unspent federal dollars to fund President Trump’s border wall as a possible alternative or complementary source of funding. However, the potential funds in question are allocated programmatically and involve vested constituencies and...
02.08.2019
U.S. Annual Threat Assessment: Findings and Controversy
Last week, the US Intelligence Community released its annual Worldwide Threat Assessment, a consensus report from the 16 agencies and an administrative office that comprise the intelligence community. The report quickly became a vector of controversy as President Trump publicly...
02.07.2019
French Jihadists Held in Syria: Repatriation?
As the U.S. plans its withdrawal from Syria, the French government is considering whether or how to repatriate French jihadists held there. But, the question is deeply divisive at home. Quentin Lopinot, Visiting Fellow in the Europe Program at the Center...
02.05.2019
Rollout of Uniform Code of Military Justice: Revisions
The United States recently rolled out the biggest revision of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) since its formal inception after WWII. The USMJ is the set of rules and regulations that dictate criminal offenses for service members and...
02.04.2019
Protests Across Sudan Deepen: Regime Tested
In Sudan, despite continued suppression, mass protests continue across the country into their seventh week demanding President al-Bashir to step down. Previous Sudanese prime minister, Sadiq al-Mahdi, recently endorsed the protests and called on Bashir to resign. Zach Vertin, Visiting Fellow...
01.30.2019
Thailand to Hold General Elections After Junta Rule
Thailand is set to hold its first general election since the military seized power in a coup in 2014. The general election is scheduled for March 24th, though questions linger about the degree of democratic governance is possible afterward. Joshua Kurlantzick, Senior...

What's The Warcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Warcast episodes:

Venezuela’s Military Ignoring Guaido’s Call to Join Democratic Opposition

UK Restricts Huawei Involvement in 5G Network Development: Options

Action Required: Resubscribe to Warcast 2.0

China’s Second Belt and Road Forum: How Did It Go?

Sri Lanka Reels from Catastrophic Easter Attack: What We’ve Learned So Far

Ukraine’s Comic-Turned-Candidate Becomes President: What’s Next?

Mali’s Government Resigns After Massive Massacre

Haftar’s Offensive on Tripoli Stalled: Can Libya Avoid Full-Scale Civil War?

Update on Crisis in Venezuela: Grounds for Optimism?

Algerians Reject Interim President: Demand New Government

Israeli Election Results Are In: Impact on Foreign Policy

Sudan’s Military Coup: President Bashir Ousted

Wikileaks’ Julian Assange Arrested for U.S. Extradition Case

Trump Designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Organization

U.S. Demonstrates Commitment with the Philippines: Loaded U.S.S. Wasp in South China Sea

Erdogan’s AKP Losses in Turkey: Foreign Policy Consequences?

Bouteflika Resigns But Algerians Aren’t Finished

U.S.-Turkey Impasse: F-35s Halted Over Russian Missile Defense Purchase

Haftar’s Dramatic Gains in Libya: Tripoli Invasion Imminent?

UN Security Council and EU Condemn Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty of Golan: Part II

U.S. President Recognizes Israel’s Sovereignty of Golan Heights: What Will Happen?

Russian Troops Arrive in Venezuela: Maduro Bolstered

India Successfully Tests Anti-Satellite Missile Capabilities

The Space Development Agency Is Set Up: Now What?

US Senate Votes to End Support of Saudi Arabia in Yemen

Brexit Woes: UK Scrambles for Extension at EU Summit

U.S. Army 2020 Budget Request Increases: Prioritizes Modernization

Consequences of Kazakhstan’s President Resigning: Part II

Kazakh President Abruptly Resigns After 30-Year Rule: Part I

Mass Protests Surge in Algeria: Demand Bouteflika Cede Now

Pentagon Establishes Space Development Agency: Details

U.S.-Backed Forces Attack Final ISIS Stronghold in Syria

2020 Defense Budget Is Nearly Here: What To Expect

Calm Prevailing Between India and Pakistan: Lessons

Guaido Returns to Venezuela: What Comes Next

Germany’s Arms Export Ban Frustrates European Partners

U.S.-North Korea Summit Ends Abruptly: What North Korea Offered

India-Pakistan Confrontation: Update After Air Strikes

Why the U.S. Navy Canceled its Anti-Torpedo Defense System

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Killed in Suicide Attack: Iran Responds

Kashmir Suicide Attack: The Evolving Situation

Mattis’ Shadow: NATO’s Reception of Shanahan

Former US Intel Officer Indicted for Iranian Espionage

Turkey Urges China to End Mass Detention of Uighurs

White House Reprogramming Unspent Federal Funds for Border Wall

U.S. Annual Threat Assessment: Findings and Controversy

French Jihadists Held in Syria: Repatriation?

Rollout of Uniform Code of Military Justice: Revisions

Protests Across Sudan Deepen: Regime Tested

Thailand to Hold General Elections After Junta Rule