Disrupting Geostrategic Thought
Futura Consideranda: Consequential Leadership
A Leader Considers History There are many qualities required of a worthwhile leader. Having good advisers is an excellent start. Another key quality is the ability to think in terms of tomorrow.
Idle Meandering Thoughts (Part 2 of 2)
Russian intelligence has a long-running interest in identifying, collecting, correlating and ultimately exploiting information that users would rather remain obscure.
Politics as the Continuation of Conflict
John Sjoholm analyzes hybrid conflict and Russian strategic thinking.
Guarding the Guard: When the Cellist Held the Rifle
A profile of Mstislav Rostropovich: cellist, conductor, exile, and the refusal to become harmless. Personal authors note:I have returned to this one photograph for years. I first saw it in the 1990s,
The Reliability Problem
American systems and security availability become less predictable when the security situation accelerates and becomes acute for the recipient. Ukraine experienced this dynamic, and Taiwan now appears to be encountering the same
Lebanon: Inside the Shell
The 2008 Lebanon conflict continues to be misunderstood in much of Western discourse as a confrontation between a sovereign state and a non-state militia ...
Lebanon: Beirut and the Polycentric Reality
The balance of power in Lebanon may be shifting. In a few days, I will again be involved in discussions with a Middle Eastern client on regional developments. Without disclosing anything sensitive,
Stably Unstable: The Architecture of Russia’s Hybrid War in the Western Balkans (2026)
Russia’s hybrid war in the Western Balkans in 2026 reflects a mature strategy. Rather than seeking escalation, Moscow seeks position. It is a case study in a long‑term, managed, condition. And, for Moscow, a
Working Hypothesis: Europe Seeks Relative Advantage from US Overextension
U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure are unlikely to achieve compliance goals. The more probable response is indirect escalation through asymmetric means, calibrated to impose cost without inviting immediate, decisive retaliation. This is
Mission Profile: Soft Power as the New Dominion
Donald Trump and his administration’s haphazard approach to alliance discipline, strategic continuity, and the maintenance of American primacy supplied the final lesson: Europe can no longer rely on the American security order.
Middle East – North Africa News Brief – Regional Low Intensity Conflicts
MENA Regional Low Intensity Conflicts: September 24th to October 1st, 2017. United States of America: 24th September Washington D.C., USA The US administration
Veteran Entrepreneurship – Good for Veterans – Good for The Economy
Military service and small business ownership seem to go hand-to-hand. Consider the following facts. Veterans are 20% more likely to be self-employed
Saudi prince cracks down on dissent while pushing reform
Over the past two weeks, Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested dozens of public figures, seemingly at the behest of Muhammad bin
Combating Veteran Suicide – Lima Charlie interviews USC CIR’s Nate Graeser
A study released by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) on September 15, 2017, continues to shed light on information about Veterans
Iraqi Kurds face repercussions after vote for independence from Baghdad
Erbil, Iraq (LC) This Wednesday, electoral commission officials announced that an overwhelming majority of Iraqi Kurds voted “yes” to splitting from Iraq
The toll civilian life takes on Weekend Warriors – Lima Charlie interviews USC CIR’s Dr. Sara Kintzle
The U.S. Army Reserve and the States’ National Guard are key components of our military. The Reserve and Guard are almost 40%
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP September 17 – September 24: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. Bahrain: Shia government opposition groups continue
Veterans & Moral Injury – Lima Charlie interviews USC CIR’s Dr. Hazel Atuel
Moral injury is a subject that is widely misunderstood and a key symptom of participating in war and conflict. The U.S. Department
Catalonia vote to split from Spain approaches amid government crackdown
Barcelona, Spain – The European Union will not intervene over Catalan independence, citing respect for the Spanish Constitution. The Spanish government maintains that
Myanmar’s crisis is much more than the Rohingya
The General Assembly of the United Nations is meeting in New York to try and resolve the problem of the expulsion of
USC ‘State of the American Veteran Conference’ to address critical Veteran issues
The University of Southern California’s Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families kicks off its annual ‘State of the
Russia strikes Syrian Democratic Forces near Deir Ezzor
Forces from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were struck by Russian air assets near the Deir Ezzor frontline on September 16th,
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP September 10 – September 17: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [HIGHLIGHT]: Qatar The Qatari diplomatic crisis
President Trump remembers the sacrifices of armed forces on POW/MIA Recognition Day
Today marks the 38th POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is observed annually on the third Friday of September. Beginning in 1979, President Jimmy