Looking Beyond the Offensive in Ukraine

Looking Beyond the Offensive in Ukraine

Author: Ryan Evans October 18, 2023 Duration: 30:10

Ryan sat down with Mike to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war, Russia's effort to seize the initiative before winter begins, Moscow's turn to North Korea for artillery shells, the challenges the Ukrainian military may face next year, the Biden administration's failure to provide certain weapons to Ukraine quickly, and the state of the Russian military. Mike and Ryan close with a conversation about the need to be forward-looking about the conflict, given that the Russian defense industry has increased its rate of production, which will require the United States, its European allies, and Ukraine to plan for continued combat in the future.


Hosted by Ryan Evans, War on the Rocks feels less like a formal briefing and more like pulling up a chair at a bar where the most consequential global issues are being debated. The conversations, often accompanied by the clink of a glass, dive into the gritty realities of security, defense, and foreign policy with the people who shape and study them. You’ll hear from a wide range of insiders and experts-from seasoned diplomats and military officers to sharp-eyed academics and journalists-who break down complex topics without the usual jargon. This podcast thrives on candid analysis and spirited discussion, exploring not just the "what" of current events, but the underlying "why" and "how" of international power dynamics. Each episode is designed to give you a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the forces shaping our world, moving beyond headlines to examine strategy, history, and the human decisions behind the news. It’s the original series from the platform, offering listeners a direct line to thoughtful, often provocative, perspectives that are usually reserved for closed-door meetings. Tuning in provides a consistently engaging and informative look at the challenges and intrigues defining global affairs today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

War on the Rocks
Podcast Episodes
Technology, the Battlefield, and Beyond in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:34
We are sharing a free Thanksgiving episode of the Russia Contingency with you all to express our gratitude for your listenership and support. This episode, brought to you by OneBrief, features Michael Kofman and Rob Lee…
As Ukraine Stumbles and Russia Advances, What Does it Mean? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
Mike Kofman came by WOTR HQ to discuss the state of the front and findings from his most recent research trip to Ukraine. From North Korean troops, to manpower woes, to Donald Trump coming back to the Oval Office, what d…
The Transformation of Marine Marksmanship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:22
Ryan popped over to Quantico to speak with four marines at the forefront of major advances in marksmanship in America's 9-1-1 force. Listen in as Maj. Steve Stephenson, Capt. Phil Williams, Gunner Josh Grayek, and Gunner…
The Meaning of Creeping Ukrainian Losses in the East [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:15
Michael Kofman popped into WOTR HQ to speak with Ryan about the war. They discussed territorial losses in the Donbas, the situation in Kursk, manpower challenges on both sides, and how Ukraine is seeing war termination o…
Can ICE Pact Salvage American Shipbuilding? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:59
Three sharp directors on the National Security Council staff invited Ryan over to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to chat about the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact, which is a trilateral partnership…
How Ukraine Re-Introduced Dynamism Into the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
Mike Kofman popped into WOTR HQ to speak with Ryan about the state of play in Ukraine. From south to north, they review the situation at the front, with special attention to Ukraine's offensive operation into Russian ter…
The Army Wants You to Write. Three Soldiers Explain Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:38
The U.S. Army, from the chief of staff on down, is putting its weight behind getting soldiers to take writing and publishing more seriously as an important part of the profession of arms. From the Harding Project to the…
Can Congress Revive Shipbuilding and Maritime Strategy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:42
A sailor from a landlocked state and a soldier from a state with the country's second longest coastline are trying to accomplish something transformative for American seapower. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Rep. Mike Waltz…