Ep. 74: Nathan Freier - How Warfare is Changing, and Why the US is "At Its Own Peril"

Threats to democracy, the changing nature of military conflict, cyber threats, bots, China, Russia and disruptive change created by hyper connectivity ? what does all of this mean? How should military organisations assess and manage risk? What lessons can we learn that are applicable elsewhere? Today, we dive into these topics. This is both and important and informative “big picture” risk conversation. It is also highly enjoyable.

In this episode, we discuss the USA’s military power, “grey zone” competition, and tons more with Nathan Freier. Nathan is a military strategist, researcher, and risk professional. He is an associate professor of National Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College. He recently led a research project that culminated in a report entitled At Our Peril. It asks and attempts to answer the question, of how the US Department of Defence should adapt to the type of disruptive change we have discussed in recent episodes and that we see playing out in today’s headlines.

Indeed, we live in a world of international “grey zone” competition ? not quite war, not quite peace. The project Nathan led contains some very interesting insights and innovative thinking on these and related topics. It will provide you with a deeper level of understanding of our world and you don’t need to be a risk professional to follow along and get a lot out of the conversation.

We cover:

The art of strategy;
“Softer” aspects of American power in the world;
The very useful concept of “risk confusion”;
Cyber warfare;
Why the US Department of Defence would commission this piece of work ? and make it public;
Tons more!

Show Notes:

Nathan’s page at the SSI

Nathan on Twitter

Nathan on LinkedIn

At Our Peril

Outplayed ? Regaining Strategic Initiative in the Gray Zone

Known Unknowns: Unconventional “Strategic Shocks” in Defence Strategy Development

The Art of War

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