The Insider

A weekly, in-depth interview show with War on the Rocks authors.

How the Maldives Punches Above Its Weight in the Indian Ocean 08/05/2025

How the Maldives Punches Above Its Weight in the Indian Ocean Andrea Malji, author of "," writes that the Maldives is leveraging its strategic location and resources to advance national interests. Rick talks with Andrea about how the Maldives are shaping geopolitics in the Indian Ocean. Image: Indian Prime Minister's Office via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690570

How Drones Affect the Mind of the Warfighter 08/01/2025

How Drones Affect the Mind of the Warfighter J.D. Maddox says the psychological impact drones are having on warfighters and civilians alike isn't being talked about enough. Today, he joined The Insider to talk with Nicole about his article for War on the Rocks, Image: armyinform.com.ua via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690575

Control vs Chaos: How China Perceived the Army’s Birthday Parade 07/29/2025

Control vs Chaos: How China Perceived the Army’s Birthday Parade J. William “BILL” DeMarco sat down with Nicole to discuss how China perceived the Army's 250th Birthday Parade in Washington, in contrast to their own military parades. The two cover a variety of topics from cognitive warfare to the philosophy behind "control and chaos" in military forces. Image: Sgt. Aaron Troutman via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690580

Hannibal’s Tactical Triumph and Strategic Failure 07/24/2025

Hannibal’s Tactical Triumph and Strategic Failure Rick talks with historian Bret C. Devereaux about his “Battle Studies” article, “” They explore how Hannibal’s legendary victory fits into the broader course of the Second Punic War — and what it reveals about the relationship between tactical success and strategic outcomes. Image: Heinrich Leutemann via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690585

America’s Transformer Weak Spot 07/22/2025

America’s Transformer Weak Spot Jesse Humpal, author of "," writes that America’s aging transformer grid poses a severe national security risk, requiring urgent investment to prevent catastrophic disruptions. Rick talks with Jesse about the dangers posed by adversaries, extremists, and surging energy demands. Image: Nick Allen via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690590

Lessons from the Dardanelles for Today’s Strait of Hormuz Challenge 07/17/2025

Lessons from the Dardanelles for Today’s Strait of Hormuz Challenge Jonathan Schroden, author of "," writes that the World War I campaign to take the Dardanelles Strait offers valuable lessons for a potential conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Kerry talks with Jonathan about the strategic importance of these waterways and the complexity involved in keeping them open during times of war. Image: Royal Museums Greenwich Fine Art via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690600

China’s Growing Influence Constrains Southeast Asia’s Options 07/15/2025

China’s Growing Influence Constrains Southeast Asia’s Options Jessica Liao and Lucas Myers wrote that "Southeast Asia's long-standing hedging strategy is beginning to falter" in their recent article, "." Kerry talks with Jessica and Lucas about how China's growing influence and America's declining presence in the region is narrowing the options for Southeast Asian countries. Image: Myanmar Now News via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690605

Applying the Laws of Naval Warfare in the Indo-Pacific 07/10/2025

Applying the Laws of Naval Warfare in the Indo-Pacific In their article, "," James Kraska and Gavin Logan argued that there are important differences in applying legal principles to land warfare versus naval warfare. Kerry talks with James about the laws of naval warfare and how they might play out in a future conflict with China. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690610

When FPV Drones Fall Short 07/08/2025

When FPV Drones Fall Short Jakub Jajcay sat down with Ryan to discuss Jakub’s widely read article, “.” They talk about his experience as a drone operator on the frontlines in Ukraine and why these drones may not live up to their reputation. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690615

Recentering the Marine Corps 07/01/2025

Recentering the Marine Corps Ben Connable — a retired Marine officer and author of the book Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War — wrote a series of articles for War on the Rocks called "We Need a Marine Corps" (see , , and ). Kerry talks with Ben about how the Marine Corps' role narrowed in the last 25 years, his recommendations for changing this trend, and the importance of pragmatic discussion about the Marine Corps' future. Image: /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690620

The U.S. Army’s First Urban Battle 06/26/2025

The U.S. Army’s First Urban Battle Rick sits down with Mitchell Klingenberg to talk about his recent “Battle Studies” article “,” which examines the Battle of Monterrey and its role in the Mexican-American War. Klingenberg explores the strategic value of the battle, highlighting the challenges of urban fighting, Zachary Taylor’s tactical decisions, and the enduring lessons for modern military doctrine. Image: Library of Congress via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690625

The Changing Challenges of Biological Warfare 06/24/2025

The Changing Challenges of Biological Warfare Al Mauroni co-wrote “” with Glenn Cross. Kerry talked with Al about how China is presenting new challenges in terms of biological warfare and how the United States needs to adjust its approach. /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690630

Why AUKUS Pillar II Matters and How to Strengthen It 06/19/2025

Why AUKUS Pillar II Matters and How to Strengthen It Peter Dean and Alice Nason the article “.” Peter is a professor and the director of foreign policy and defense at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Alice is a Fulbright Scholar and non-resident fellow of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Kerry talked with them both about why Pillar II matters, why it's failing, and how the AUKUS countries can work together to fully utilize Pillar II's potential. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690635

Rethinking GPS Resilience 06/13/2025

Rethinking GPS Resilience Rick talks with Jesse Humpal about his recent article, “,” which argues that incorporating China’s system into U.S. positioning, navigation, and timing infrastructure could improve resilience. Rather than relying solely on GPS, Humpal makes the case for diversifying signal sources to reduce vulnerability. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690640

How to Break Through Ideological Walls When Discussing Women in the Military 06/12/2025

How to Break Through Ideological Walls When Discussing Women in the Military M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Kerry chats with Alejandra about her own experience in the U.S. Navy and her research into past and present debates about women's roles in the military and in combat. They also discuss Alejandra's recommendations for how to move beyond seemingly inflexible arguments. Image: U.S. Army via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690645

How China Could Block U.S. Intervention in Taiwan 06/05/2025

How China Could Block U.S. Intervention in Taiwan Rick talks with Joel Wuthnow about his recent article, “.” They explore China's potential strategies to block an American defense of Taiwan, including both conventional military options and the role of strategic deterrence. Image: /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690650

Russia’s Demographic and Equipment Advantages 06/03/2025

Russia’s Demographic and Equipment Advantages In "," Collin Meisel and Mathew Burrows argue that Russia has demographic and equipment production advantages over Ukraine that will endure for several years. Kerry talks with Collin and Mat about those numbers, as well as the long-term potential impacts of high levels of Russian military spending. Image: The Kremlin via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690655

China’s Role in the South Pacific 05/29/2025

China’s Role in the South Pacific Christopher Colley wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Kerry talks with Christopher about how China is approaching the South Pacific and how the countries in the region are responding. Image: U.S. Navy via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690665

Are Drones Bringing the Next Military Revolution? 05/28/2025

Are Drones Bringing the Next Military Revolution? In their article "," Antonio Salinas and Jason LeVay argue that first-person view drones — and the way they’ve been used in the war in Ukraine — represent "a systemic rupture in the conduct of modern warfare." Kerry talks with the authors about military revolutions, history, drones, and more. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690670

The Lasting Impact of the Battle of Lake Champlain 05/22/2025

The Lasting Impact of the Battle of Lake Champlain Christopher Costello wrote “” — the first in a new War on the Rocks series of essays entitled “Battle Studies,” which seeks to demonstrate how past lessons about strategy, operations, and tactics apply to current defense challenges. Kerry talks with Christopher about how the battle played out and how it shaped theories of sea power. Image: Midjourney /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690675

Closing the Resilience Gap in Military Training 05/20/2025

Closing the Resilience Gap in Military Training In "," J. William DeMarco argued that current training may unintentionally undermine the resilience of young military leaders. He joins Rick to discuss how the military can better prepare leaders to withstand the demands of future warfare. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690680

Making the Case for Armed Neutrality in Ukraine 05/15/2025

Making the Case for Armed Neutrality in Ukraine Jennifer Kavanagh and Christopher McCallion wrote, "," for War on the Rocks. Rick talks to the authors about why armed neutrality may be the best option available for Ukraine to secure a lasting peace and deter future Russian aggression. Image: /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690685

Why Current Conditions Aren’t Right for an Israeli-Saudi Deal 05/13/2025

Why Current Conditions Aren’t Right for an Israeli-Saudi Deal H.A. Hellyer wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Kerry chats with H.A. about why he thinks current conditions are not ripe for an Israeli-Saudi peace deal, as well as taking a look at President Donald Trump's visit to the region and what it's been like to work on Middle East issues in recent years. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690690

Putin’s Proxy Spies 05/08/2025

Putin’s Proxy Spies Facing setbacks from previous spy expulsions, Russian intelligence tactics in Europe have evolved in unorthodox ways following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Rick sat down to discuss the Kremlin's shift in strategy with Daniela Richeterova, who wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Image: The Kremlin via /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690695

Making Sure that the U.S. Military Has the Drones It Needs 05/06/2025

Making Sure that the U.S. Military Has the Drones It Needs Nathan Ecelbarger wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Kerry talks with Nathan about the challenges to ensuring that the military has the drones it needs to fight current and future wars and the role of the U.S. National Drone Association in getting the right drone technology into the hands of warfighters. Image: via DVIDS /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690700

Looking Toward Mineral Independence from China 05/01/2025

Looking Toward Mineral Independence from China China dominates refining for minerals that are critical to U.S. defense and the global economy. In his article "," Alvin Camba offers recommendations for how the United States could build up its own mineral refining sector. Kerry chats with Alvin, a critical materials specialist at the Associated Universities, Inc., about how China gained dominance in this area and his ideas for alleviating U.S. reliance on Chinese-based supply chains. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690705

U.S. Delays Are Undermining Taiwan’s Defense 04/29/2025

U.S. Delays Are Undermining Taiwan’s Defense Delayed deliveries from American companies are holding back Taiwan from bolstering its defense. Howard Shen joined The Insider to discuss his article, "," which he co-wrote with Kevin Ting-Chen Sun. This episode covers the consequences of the delays and the authors' recommendations for Taipei and Washington on how to move forward. Image: via Wikimedia Commons /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690710

The Urgent Need for Cultural Change in Taiwan’s Military 04/24/2025

The Urgent Need for Cultural Change in Taiwan’s Military Defending Taiwan is about more than weaponry — it also requires significant reforms within Taiwan's armed forces, argue Yuster Yu and Michael A. Hunzeker in "." Kerry talks with Yuster and Michael about their recommendations, as well as how their own professional experiences led them to diagnose cultural challenges within the Taiwanese military. /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690715

A Turning Point for Turkey 04/22/2025

A Turning Point for Turkey With a new government in Syria, a potential end to years of conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and a possible third presidential term on the horizon for Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey faces a confluence of factors that offers historic opportunities and risks. Kerry discusses Turkey's big moment with Ryan Gingeras, who recently wrote "" for War on the Rocks. /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690720

Expanding U.S. Capabilities in the Arctic 04/17/2025

Expanding U.S. Capabilities in the Arctic Aaron Brady recently wrote "" for War on the Rocks. Kerry talked with Aaron about the evolving geostrategic position of the Arctic — and Greenland — and how the United States could more effectively monitor and prepare for competition and conflict. /episode/index/show/80ee76f6-0d01-4264-ba7c-c8d16121eac7/id/37690725

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