The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

E39: On Mercenary Warfare Paragraph 5 -- Command and Control

Who commands or controls modern mercenary activity? Who really calls the shots for the Wagner Group or other mercenary organizations? Accountability depends not just on knowing who, but being able to prove it.

E38: On Mercenary Warfare, Paragraph 4: Logistics

It is said, "Tactics wins battles, logistics wins wars." This is just as true for mercenaries and regular armies. Studying mercenary logistics can identify potential areas where we can bring pressure on them.

E37: On Mercenary Warfare, Paragraph 3: Execution

Moving from what mercenary-like organization are and where they operate, we need to know how today’s mercenary-like activities threaten peace and security in Africa, the Middle East, and even Europe? How do they threaten the vital interests of the United States, in particular, and Western interests in general? In other words, why should we care?

E36 On Mecernary Warfare Paragraph 2, The Mission

Why do governments choose to use mercenaries rather than their own armed forces or those of partner national armies or international organizations? More important, why do some governments invite mercenaries into their countries? The answers may surprise you.

E35: On Mercenary Warfare, Paragraph 1 - The Situation

In Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, new reports emerge of mercenary-like activity. Why do governments seek help from mercenaries? How can some governments and even media consider them a force for good? This episode begins a series on that subject.

E34: War in the East?

The Chinese idea of unrestricted warfare orchestrates all elements of national power, with military power as the bass line, but only dominating as a last resort. If a shooting war happens, why, how, and where will it start?

E33: Cancelling History

Current movements to cancel certain historical persons risks cancelling our history, leaving us without a map of our past and guidance for our future. We should not ignore the importance of historical persons' thoughts and achievements, nor the faults which made them human.

E32: Unrestricted Warfare

Sun Tzu said: “If one party is at war with another, and the other party does not realize it is at war, the party who knows it is at war almost always has the advantage and usually wins.” Is the United States already at war with China, and we just don’t know it? Chinese military doctrine indicates that we are.

Holding PMSCs Accountable

A lot has happened since the Nisour Square Tragedy to hold PMSCs accountable under the law. Doug Brooks and I discuss some of the initiatives of the past dozen years and what still needs to be done.

E30: Lupus Auribus Tenere

The recent presidential pardon of four former Blackwater operatives is a true case of holding a wolf by the ears. The deaths resulting from the Nisour Square incident demand justice. The problem is using unjust means to do that.