The Division of Protection’s Irregular Warfare Heart (IWC) hosted its second annual Irregular Warfare Colloquium, which occurred on Sept. 26-27, 2024, on the AMA Convention Heart in Arlington, VA. This pivotal occasion introduced collectively students and subject material specialists from greater than 15 universities throughout the U.S. and internationally to debate subjects associated to irregular warfare and analysis.
The Colloquium unfolded over two days, beginning with a welcome handle by IWC Director Dr. Dennis Walters. Via his remarks, Dr. Walters underscored the significance of innovation and acknowledged that the upcoming technology is “the final finest hope for locating an answer for irregular warfare.”
In the course of the opening remarks, Sam Paulson, graduate scholar, Johns Hopkins College, was acknowledged by Dr. Walters for putting first within the Heart’s IW Scholar Working Group Essay Contest. The Colloquium comprised analysis shows from each junior and senior students, in addition to working teams to supply constructive suggestions.
Presenters had been paired collectively primarily based on their respective topic areas and offered an summary of their analysis. Occasion emcee Dr. Sandor Fabian, IWC Deputy Regional Advisor for Europe and Africa, Morgan 6 contractor, moderated the shows and discussions. Following the in-depth shows, viewers members offered questions and presenters acquired suggestions from different contributors.
The Heart chosen these contributors primarily based on their high quality of labor and potential contributions to irregular warfare. Individuals engaged in analysis discussions on the Heart’s key subjects of curiosity, together with cyber operations, info and affect operations, resistance actions, proxy warfare, nice energy competitors under the edge of warfare, and ladies peace and safety.
Senior students and subject material specialists (SMEs) had been engaged with the contributors all through the Colloquium. Two senior students exhibited their analysis; Dr. Maria Papageorgiou (Newcastle College) highlighting Sino-Russian disinformation synergies, whereas Dr. Peter Campbell (Baylor College) offered on cyber defenses.
Dr. Papageorgiou found the Colloquium by means of the IWC Name for Papers on LinkedIn and was thrilled that her analysis was accepted. She continued, “I feel that it is vitally essential that there’s a world output, so I used to be joyful that they invited me to come back from the UK.” Dr. Fabian gave contributors an summary of the identify “Irregular Warfare” and the way it’s conceptualized within the U.S. and overseas.
IWC SME Jake Zenn defined {that a} “Key profit is that this occasion brings collectively professionals who’re interested by IW and the function it performs in worldwide affairs right now.” He emphasised this additional, “IW is a posh topic that may be troublesome to analysis; the junior students valued and benefited from interacting with the SMEs when it comes to tutorial {and professional} improvement. The SMEs had been engaged with contributors and provided steerage on methods to contribute to our understanding of IW by means of tutorial publications and extra.”
The Colloquium presents contributors alternatives for skilled improvement. Dr. Joshua Hastey, IWC Deputy Regional Advisor for U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea, Morgan 6 contractor, famous, “Before everything, the Colloquium introduces junior students into a strong and energetic neighborhood of execs dedicated to understanding advanced threats and operations.” He continued, stating, “For these junior students, this Colloquium presents an unparalleled alternative to contribute to cutting-edge discussions on irregular warfare whereas receiving direct suggestions from each senior students and seasoned practitioners. The occasion fosters a collaborative house the place rising researchers can refine their concepts, increase their networks, and affect the way forward for IW doctrine and technique. It’s additionally been a realistic profession step for a few of our alumni.”
Asher Peck was a returning Colloquium participant, and chosen to current on Chinese language malign affect in Paraguay. He reaffirmed Dr. Hastey’s sentiments on the Colloquium enabling tutorial progress. Peck mentioned, “It is a must-attend occasion for any junior scholar interested by IW, because the connections made, and knowledge gained throughout my time right here have enriched my tutorial {and professional} life.”
Together with the junior and senior students’ expertise, contributors who attended to take heed to the shows discovered advantages. Alessandro Brenci, a scholar at George Mason College, found the IWC by means of the Heart’s Views publications. Brenci utilized the Heart’s analysis in his thesis on non-public army safety corporations and hybrid warfare methods. “I knew that I needed to be concerned on this group, so I reached out to develop into part of the Scholar Working Group. The chance to attend the Colloquium, particularly as a world scholar, is unimaginable.”
IWC Deputy Director and Chief of Employees, Lori Leffler, offered closing remarks, which had been preceded by Dr. Hastey’s encouragement for contributors to remain concerned. Following the occasion, Leffler emphasised the necessity for scholar-practitioner engagement. She famous, “The second annual Colloquium is essential for our Heart.
This occasion shouldn’t be solely a tutorial one, nevertheless it contributes to advancing the IWC’s mission of collaboration to construct a networked IW neighborhood. The function of students, at any degree, is crucial to the event of IW understanding and doctrine.”
A particular thanks to the entire second annual IWC Colloquium presenters: Ivana Stradner, Johns Hopkins SAID; Henry Leverett and Victor Kiss, Vienna College of Worldwide Research; Asher Peck, Regent College; Anna Given, Institute of World Politics; Jaclyn Giunta, Norwich College; Derek Ricke, College of Denver; Genna Moellering, Carnegie Melon College; Jesse Nuese, New York College; David Kong, RAND Graduate College; Lea Korb, Potsdam College; Dr. Maria Papageorgiou, Newcastle College; Dr. Peter Campbell, Baylor College.
The IWC serves because the central mechanism for growing the Division of Protection’s (DoD) irregular warfare data and advancing the Division’s understanding of irregular warfare ideas and doctrine in collaboration with key allies and companions.
The Heart’s basis is constructed upon three Strains of Effort:
AMPLIFY and collaborate to construct an modern and adaptable international networked IW neighborhood of curiosity.
Strategically ILLUMINATE present and future irregular threats, crises, and obstacles.
ADDRESS present and future irregular threats to the US, allies, and companions by offering optionality to leaders.
Via these LOEs, the Irregular Warfare Heart addresses present and rising safety considerations and challenges with world-class analysis, rigorous evaluation, top-tier strategic schooling and coaching for U.S. and worldwide companions.
– Courtesy of Irregular Warfare Heart
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