War on the Rocks

War on the Rocks episodes:

• 04.19.2024

  Spacepower and the Private Sector

  On the sidelines of the National Space Symposium, we threw a little party and recorded a podcast, because why not? Our special guest was Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb and the main focus of the conversation...

  
• 04.10.2024

  Mike Kofman and Rob Lee on Drones in Ukraine

  This deep and fascinating conversation is one of a two-part discussion that you can listen to on the Russia Contingency, a members-only podcast hosted by Michael Kofman. Become a member here: https://warontherocks.com/membership

  
• 04.08.2024

  Ammunition, Energy and a Sense of History: The Czech Ambassador on Ukraine and More

  Nick sat down with Czech Ambassador to the United States Miloslav Stašek for a geographically wide-ranging conversation that moved from Munich to the Middle East to the Texas automotive industry. Amb. Stašek discussed the progress of his government’s ammunition initiative...

  
• 04.03.2024

  The Laboratory Building the Future of the Army

  Ryan popped into Austin to see what the Army Applications Laboratory was getting up to. Its director, Dr. Casey Perley, was kind enough to sit down with Ryan and break it down for him. If you care about military innovation,...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Spotlight on Moldova: Chisinau’s Ambassador Talks Democracy, Security and Wine

  Nick Danforth sat down with Moldovan Ambassador to the United States Viorel Ursu last week to discuss democracy, energy and Russian hybrid warfare, not to mention Black Sea security and the post-conflict politics of wine exports.  

  
• 03.17.2024

  Fortifications, Manpower, and Munitions in Ukraine's Daunting Year Ahead

  Mike Kofman, fresh back from a research trip to Ukraine, spoke with Ryan about Ukraine's main challenges in facing down Russia this year.

  
• 03.11.2024

  Warsaw's Man in Washington on European Security and Poland's Defense Buildup

  Ryan visited Ambassador Marek Magierowski at the Polish Embassy in Washington. They spoke about Poland's military build-up and the challenges posed by Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Much of their conversation focused on defense industrial issues, which sit at the...

  
• 03.05.2024

  Gen. Brito of Training & Doctrine Command Talks Army Professionalism

  Ryan sat down at the Pentagon with Gen. Gary Brito, who leads U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, to talk about strengthening Army professionalism, which Gen. Randy George, the chief of staff of the U.S. Army, has identified as one...

  
• 02.24.2024

  The Russo-Ukrainian War at Two

  On the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ryan and Mike Kofman sit down to chat about where the war stands today and where things are heading. It is, to be candid, a pessimistic conversation. They cover the...

  
• 02.19.2024

  Iraq Between Suits and Fatigues

  Last week, Nick Danforth sat down with Denise Natali, Doug Ollivant and Bilal Wahab to discuss the latest in Iraqi politics? They debated what Iraq was like on Oc. 6th, how it has been impacted by the war in Gaza,...

  
• 02.13.2024

  Security in the Indo-Pacific with Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner

  Ryan and Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, chatted about, well, it's in his job title. They discussed North Korean intentions, American military posture, deepening cooperation between South Korea and Japan, Chinese military modernization, corruption in...

  
• 02.08.2024

  The End of the Golden Era of Arms Control

  As the world grapples again with the dangers of nuclear weapons use, Aaron sat down with Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Heather Williams, the director of the project on nuclear issues and...

  
• 02.05.2024

  A Conversation with Gen. Randy George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army

  As the largest war in Europe since World War II rages and as China rises, the U.S. Army is preparing for an evermore dangerous world with an ambitious vision. To learn more about this vision, Ryan paid a visit to...

  
• 01.30.2024

  Ukraine at War, From Avdiivka to Zaluzhny

  As Putin throws his forces relentlessly into the meat-grinder of Avdiivka, Mike and Ryan sort through the state of Russia's offensive there, Moscow's efforts to bleed Ukrainian air defense, and Kyiv's success on the Black Sea. They also discuss how...

  
• 01.25.2024

  A Very Nerdy Podcast Episode about the Navy

  What is the value of a U.S. aircraft carrier? How are the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy held to financial account? And why does the Department of Defense keep failing its audit? Ryan sat down with Russell Rumbaugh,...

  
• 01.22.2024

  A Conversation with Gen. David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force

  Should the tragedy of war with China occur, the Air Force will play a critical role in ensuring America is able to meet the challenges of conflict in the vast stretches of the Indo-Pacific. Gen. David W. Allvin, the 23rd...

  
• 01.05.2024

  Ukraine Prepares for 2024

  Nick sat down with Mike Kofman to discuss where the Russo-Ukrainian conflict stands at the start of 2024. They talked through the situation on the front lines, naval developments in the Black Sea and Russia’s cynical diplomacy, as well as...

  
• 01.04.2024

  The Case for Seizing $300 Billion in Russian State Assets

  In the last few days of 2023, the United States proposed that working groups from the G7 explore ways to seize $300 billion of Russian state assets. Given the news, we are re-releasing a members-only podcast with Philip Zelikow, a...

  
• 12.22.2023

  Gaza and the Gulf

  Nick Danforth sat down with Steven Cook, Joyce Karam, and Faysal Itani to discuss how the war in Gaza will impact Israel’s relations with the Gulf and American interests in the Middle East. Among other topics, they debated the future...

  
• 11.30.2023

  The Defense Department and the Rise of Commercial Spacepower

  TechCrunch Disrupt hosted Ryan and a top-notch panel for a conversation on the increasing importance of commercial stakeholders in the exercise of military power in and from space. It features John Plumb, the first assistant secretary of defense for space...

  
• 11.21.2023

  Adaptation at the Front and the Big Picture in Ukraine

  Ryan and Mike Kofman discuss the state of the war before turning to various other issues including important tactical adaptations since the start of summer, why Washington's theory of its involvement in this war is fundamentally "unworkable" due to a...

  
• 11.20.2023

  Japan Re-evaluates Regional Threats

  Nick sat down in Tokyo last week with Satoru Mori and Yasuhiro Izumikawa to discuss the evolution of Japan’s threat perceptions and defense planning. They also shared their thoughts on how Japan views the challenge posed by China, a potential...

  
• 11.14.2023

  The Net Assessment Crew Sits Down with Ryan

  The title says it all! If you missed episodes of our show "Net Assessment" over the summer and fall, you aren't alone. Zack Cooper, Melanie Marlow, and Christopher Preble join Ryan for a discussion about the show, about what's happening in the world, and...

  
• 11.06.2023

  Some Preliminary Thoughts on Ukraine's Position in the War

  Now that the offensive launched by Ukrainian forces is possibly in the process of petering out,  Mike Kofman shares some of his exploratory thoughts on where Ukraine stands and what 2024 might look like.

  
• 10.31.2023

  Defense and Capital: A Conversation with Raj Shah of Shield Capital

  Continuing our series of conversations about issues at the intersection of defense and capital, Ryan chatted with Raj Shah of Shield Capital last month in San Francisco. From his service in the Air Force flying F-16s to his time as...

  
• 10.25.2023

  A Conversation with the Commandant, Gen. Eric Smith

  Ryan spoke with the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric Smith, about a range of issues from his forthcoming planning guidance to the future of force design to personnel and safety and beyond.

  
• 10.18.2023

  Looking Beyond the Offensive in Ukraine

  Ryan sat down with Mike to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war, Russia’s effort to seize the initiative before winter begins, Moscow’s turn to North Korea for artillery shells, the challenges the Ukrainian military may face next year, the Biden administration’s failure...

  
• 10.13.2023

  Tech, Ethics, and the City in Israel's Looming Urban Battlefield

  Ryan sat down with John Amble of the Modern War Institute to unpack the challenges Israel is likely to face in Gaza; Israel's world-renowned urban warfare training facilities; comparisons with other battles in cities such as those that took place...

  
• 10.11.2023

  Introducing Thinking the Unthinkable

  Welcome to a sneak peek of Thinking the Unthinkable, our newest members-only podcast. We are previewing this members-only podcast on this feed for free.  This members-only show features in-depth analysis and insight on the perils of a new nuclear age...

  
• 10.09.2023

  The Meaning of the Attack on Israel

  Ryan sat down with Bruce Hoffman, the Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss Hamas' terror attack over the weekend. The conversation touched on the intelligence...

  
• 10.05.2023

  Finding the Floor: Can the U.S. and China Stabilize Their Relationship?

  Nick sat down with Evan Medeiros, Thomas Shugart and Emily Weinstein to take stock of where U.S.-Chinese relations stand today and where they might be going. Can President Biden’s diplomatic push pay off? How will Taiwan’s elections and Beijing’s internal...

  
• 09.28.2023

  One Tree Line at a Time: Breaching Russian Defenses in Ukraine

  Nick and Mike sat down for an in-depth discussion of what it would take for Ukraine to achieve a true breakthrough against Russian forces. Mike also evaluated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., Ukraine’s strike on Russia's...

  
• 09.27.2023

  Dueling Generals on Training and Readiness

  Ryan was happy to welcome back Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson and Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos onto the show. These Air Force leaders lead Air Education and Training Command and Air University, respectively, the latter of which is a major component...

  
• 09.18.2023

  A Chat with Britain's Top Officer, Adm. Radakin

  Ryan sat down at the War on the Rocks office with Adm. Sir Antony Radakin, the professional head of the United Kingdom's military. The two discussed the United Kingdom's support for the Ukrainian military, the lessons learned from the conflict...

  
• 09.08.2023

  Ukrainian Progress: A Breach or a Breakthrough of Russian Lines?

  Nick Danforth sat down with Mike Kofman to discuss the state of the Ukrainain offensive three months in, as well as the challenges of assessing it. Mike also explained why he, as an analyst, was particularly pleased to have Yevgeny...

  
• 08.31.2023

  Debating FISA Section 702

  On this episode of the War on the Rocks podcast, deputy assistant to U.S. President Joe Biden, Joshua Geltzer, sat down with Nicholas Danforth to discuss the administration’s case for the reauthorization of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance...

  
• 08.25.2023

  How Ukraine Can Win the Peace: A Conversation with Stephen Kotkin

  On this special preview of the Russia Contingency, Mike sat down with Stephen Kotkin, a senior fellow at Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and the Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. The conversation touched on the...

  
• 08.22.2023

  A Contest of Wills: Ukraine's Summer Offensive

  On this episode, Nick sits down with Mike to discuss Ukraine's ongoing offensive. The conversation discussed the latest from Ukraine's three axes of advance. The two also covered the latest reports from both the Washington Post and the ...

  
• 08.03.2023

  Zooming Out on Ukraine's Offensive

  Ryan and Mike finally found themselves in the same locale after heavy travel and sat down for a in-depth conversation on Ukraine's offensive, how we got here, and what might be coming next.

  
• 07.27.2023

  An Inflection Point in Ukraine’s Counteroffensive

  Aaron sat down with Mike to discuss the Ukrainian counteroffensive and where things stand along the three axes of advance. The two discussed the state of the Ukrainian armed forces, the units committed to the fight, Russia's well-prepared defense and...

  
• 07.21.2023

  Ryan Evans on 10 Years of War on the Rocks

  To mark the tenth anniversary of War on the Rocks, Philip D. Zelikow did us the honor of interviewing Ryan on the origin story of War on the Rocks, where it's gone from there, and where it is going next. 

  
• 07.20.2023

  Ukraine Struggles to Scale Offensive Combat Operations

  On this special sneak peak of the Russia Contingency, Mike sat down with Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, to discuss the findings from their recent research trip to Ukraine. The conversation covered Russian defensive...

  
• 07.11.2023

  Assessing Ukraine's Three Axes of Advance

  On this sneak-peak episode of the Russia Contingency, Aaron sat down with Mike Kofman to discuss the state of the Ukrainian military's offensive, the different axes of advance and what the offensive may be able to tell observers about the...

  
• 07.10.2023

  Understanding Risk and Redefining Readiness

  Aaron sat down recently with Kimberly Jackson, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for force readiness and Gen. David Berger, who is handing over the reins as commandant of the Marine Corps on the day that this podcast is published....

  
• 06.29.2023

  Ukraine and Lessons Learned for Airpower and Spacepower

  This episode comes to you from Ramstein Air Base, where Ryan spoke with Gen. James Hecker of the U.S. Air Force and Air Marshall Johnny Stringer of the Royal Air Force about what we can learn from airpower and spacepower...

  
• 06.27.2023

  Defense and Capital: Venture and Debt

  In the first of a series of conversations on the topic of the defense industrial base and capital, Ryan is joined by Dan Gwak of Point72 and James Parker of Leonid. If you're a policymaker, founder, technologist, in finance, or...

  
• 06.24.2023

  Ukraine's Offensive and Russia's Localized Counterattacks

  In today's episode, Mike looks at the slow progress of the Ukrainian offensive and what, if anything, it means for the course of the war. He also discusses Russia's defensive strategy and how grateful he is not to be in...

  
• 06.21.2023

  Managing Chaos: The 2021 Kabul Airlift

  On this special edition podcast, listeners will get to hear the first 20 minutes of Unspent Rounds, a members-only War on the Rocks podcast that features interesting conversations with interesting people. On this episode, Aaron Stein spoke with Capt. Adam...

  
• 06.14.2023

  Ukraine's Multiple Axes of Attack

  On Monday, Nick Danforth sat down with Mike Kofman to discuss the latest from the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive. In this episode, Mike details the advances of Ukrainian forces to date, as well as their challenges and potential objectives. He also...

  
• 06.02.2023

  The Ebb and Flow of Russian Military Power

  On this special edition podcast, listeners will get to hear the first 20 minutes of Mike Kofman's members-only podcast, The Russia Contingency. Mike spoke last week with William C. Wohlforth, a faculty member in Dartmouth College’s department of government about...