Lessons Lost in Time

What lessons can we learn from a surprise attack over 51 years ago that maximized emerging technology but still failed?I hope you’re ready to join me and my friend Aaron Ritzema in discussing the 1973 Yom Kippur War and how the lessons of warnings and indicators, cognitive bias, and technology and tactics apply to us today.

What lessons can we glean from that past that shed some light on the future of Hamas and Hezbollah?I hope you're ready to join me for a special bonus episode to discuss how the lessons of decentralized leadership, popular support, and strong political integration and adaptability apply to Hamas and Hezbollah today. Great article - must readThe Tamil Tigers Were Completely Crushed. Is Hamas Next?Ajai Sahni, Foreign Policy article https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/30/tamil-tigers-hamas-gaza-sinwar-survive/

What lessons can we glean from that past that can shed some light on President Zelensky’s Victory Plan for Ukraine? I hope you're ready to join me for a special episode to discuss how the lessons of having strong and committed allies, foreign investment, and being in a place of strength at the negotiation table apply to Ukraine today.  

What can we learn from a Realistic Approach to warfare that counters the futuristic view that is so popular in current strategic and military thinking?  I hope you're ready to join me and my friend and expert Dr. Amos Fox in discussing his book "Conflict Realism" and how the lessons of thinking about the probable versus possible, realistic principles of war, and the limits of a precision strike strategy apply to us today. On Attrition - An Ontology for Warfarehttps://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/military-review/Archives/English/September-October-2024/On-Attrition/On-Attrition-UA.pdf

What can we learn from an impoverished tribe from Yemen that went from obscurity 15 years ago to commanding one of the most strategic locations in the world?I hope you're ready to join me and my new friend and expert Nadwa Al-Dawsari in discussing the rise of the Houthis and how lessons learned over the past 15 years can help shape a more coherent and complete future strategy. Link to Nadwa Al-Dawsari's page at the Middle East Institute https://www.mei.edu/profile/nadwa-al-dawsariLink to Nadwa Al-Dawsari's page at the Centre on Armed Groupshttps://www.armedgroupscentre.org/nadwa-aldawsari

What can we learn from a failed US and UN operation that was intended to help millions of starving Somalis and ended in an 18-hour battle with 18 US soldiers killed and 73 wounded, along with 500 Somalis killed and 1000 wounded, and a quick US exit?   I hope you're ready to discuss the Battle of Mogadishu and Operation Gothic Serpent, with my New Friend Colonel Retired Daniel Roper, and how lessons of mission creep, the cobra effect, and disregard of your enemy’s logic apply to us today. Link to Message from Mogadishu: Memo Highlights Deadly Dowbfalls of Mission Creephttps://www.ausa.org/articles/message-mogadishu-memo-highlights-deadly-downfalls-mission-creep

What lessons can we learn from a series of wars that occurred over two hundred years ago between the fledgling United States and some North African countries halfway around the world?I hope you're as pumped as I am to discuss the Barbary Wars, with my friend Dr. & Navy Captain Brian O'Lavin, and how lessons from those conflicts apply to us today.