Modern War in 2021: Year in Review

Modern War in 2021: Year in Review

Author: Modern War Institute at West Point December 31, 2021 Duration: 57:28
What did we learn about modern war in 2021? What issues defined the most important conversations in defense circles? In this special year-end episode of the MWI Podcast, John Amble speaks to the directors of MWI's four themed projects, each aimed at advancing our understanding of a particular aspect of modern war—the Urban Warfare Project, the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Project 6633, and Shield Notes—along with one of the curators of the Full Spectrum series of articles on cyber and information operations that we published this year. They explain the events that were most significant in the past year, the topics that garnered the most attention, and what they expect for 2022.

Hosted by the Modern War Institute at West Point, this series offers a direct, thoughtful examination of the ideas and strategies shaping contemporary and future battlefields. Each episode brings together the institute’s deep analytical resources with voices from the field, creating conversations that are both academic and grounded in real-world experience. You’ll hear from senior military leaders, policy experts, historians, and scholars who dissect complex topics-from emerging technologies and hybrid warfare to geopolitical shifts and the enduring human elements of conflict. Supported by the West Point Class of 1974, the podcast serves as a primary forum for the institute’s work, moving beyond headlines to explore the underlying mechanics and ethical considerations of modern defense. The discussions are detailed and nuanced, designed for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of national security challenges without the jargon and oversimplification. Tune in for a rigorous, accessible education on the art of war in the twenty-first century, where every conversation aims to inform and provoke thoughtful consideration.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Modern War Institute
Podcast Episodes
Amphibious Operations—from History to the Future Battlefield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:58
Most people know something about the most famous amphibious operations in military history—the D-Day landings and Gallipoli, for example. But what about an amphibious night attack on the shores of Tuscany in 1555? Or a T…
Understanding Hamas: From Tactics to Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:58
This special episode of the MWI Podcast features the first installment of a three-part miniseries produced by the Irregular Warfare Initiative. The series focuses on irregular warfare in Israel and is hosted by Adam Darn…
Shusha, the Battle that Won a War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
Observers watched the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War closely, searching for indicators of the character of warfare on tomorrow's battlefields. The lessons extracted have covered advanced technology and unmanned platforms, pro…
What Was Hamas Thinking? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:50
When Hamas fighters conducted a large-scale and deadly attack against Israel and its people on October 7, what was the group aiming to achieve? What were its strategic objectives? And what sort of Israeli response was it…
Combined Arms in Gaza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
As Israeli ground forces mobilize for what at this point appears to be a looming battle in Gaza to destroy Hamas military capability, this episode looks ahead at what form that battle will take. Liam Collins and John Spe…
The Battle of Mogadishu—Thirty Years On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:20
Thirty years ago this week—on October 3, 1993—US special operations forces launched a mission in Mogadishu. It was part of Operation Gothic Serpent, which was aimed at capturing Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The m…
History, Identity, and Russia's War in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:07
While Western leaders, media, and institutions have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its conduct of the ongoing war—characterizing it as a brutal act of naked aggression—to many Russians, their military forces…
Sweden, Finland, and NATO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:08
The decisions by the governments of Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO marked a major departure from both countries' longstanding policies of nonalignment. But how, specifically, will it affect these countries’ def…
Securing NATO's Baltic Flank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:43
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the world has seen firsthand evidence of the threat posed by the revanchist state. Among those who perceive this threat most acutely are the three Baltic nations of Estonia,…
The Robotic Revolution is Here [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:18
This episode of the MWI Podcast features a conversation with August Cole, coauthor of a new book called Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution. It’s a techno-thriller and a work of fiction, but it is also based…