As we range in the new year, we introduced another new series — “Great Captains” — which tells the stories of powerful and successful military leaders. We rebranded our podcast presentations as Warcasts, several of which focused on regional issues and included special guest commentators from inside and outside the Department of Defense. The new National Security Strategy was also a focus in January, as we published articles and held a faculty roundtable to discuss its contents and implications
This index is also available in PDF Form
Volume 5 (Spring Qtr 2018) INDEX of Articles and Features
WEEK OF 2 APRIL 2018
Close Friend in a Dangerous Neighborhood: On Japan-US Relations
By Chip Gregson and Ray Greene, Released 4 April
The long-standing friendship with Japan is vital to US interests. How to keep it strong as the Asia-Pacific region grows more competitive and volatile?
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: STABILIZATION LESSONS FROM RECONSTRUCTION
By Diane Chido, Released 6 April
While stabilization is part of Joint and Army doctrine, it is historically one of the least funded as the story of post Civil War Reconstruction shows.
WEEK of 9 April 2018
IS TRANSATLANTICISM DEAD?
By Peter Sparding and Darrell Driver, Released 10 April
The US-European relationship is a matter of debate given US increased attention to Asia and Europe facing internal problems. What does the future hold?
HYBRID WAR: ATTACKING THE ‘CIVIL’ IN CIVIL SOCIETY
By Buddhika Jayamaha and Franky Matisek, Released 13 April
Actions by adversaries illustrate a new form of insidious hybrid warfare — infiltrating American civil society organizations to generate false debate.
Week of 16 april 2018
THE LAW OF THE SEA: PROVIDING ORDER OR INTRUDING ON SOVEREIGNTY?
By Al Lord and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 17 April
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has been ratified by 164 countries but the US has not. Why not, and what is the impact on the US?
DISRUPTING PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES THAT SUPPORT TERRORIST ACTS
By Noel Palmer, Released 20 April
Research shows that terrorists employ normal psychological processes to facilitate extremist acts. If so, how can one disrupt these processes?
WEEK OF 23 April 2018
WHAT IS THE STATE OF U.S. RELATIONS WITH AFRICA?
By Phil Carter and Chris Wyatt, Released 23 April 2018
Africa is garnering less attention than before. So what are U.S. interests in Africa now and what about African interests for the U.S.?
THREE QUESTIONS TO FIX ARMY MANDATORY TRAINING
By Mike Ferguson, Released 27 April 2018
Units across the Army face a growing list of mandatory administrative training requirements that is straining its systems more than it helps readiness.
Week of 30 april 2018
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES? (ANNIVERSARIES SERIES)
By Tom Galvin and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 1 May 2018
In this article, we celebrate our 1-year anniversary by introducing a new “Anniversaries” series of articles and podcasts that celebrate important events in military history and national security affairs.
IN PRAISE OF ANNOYING MAJORS
By Andrew A. Hill, Released 2 May 2018
Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill found that the most popular pieces from WAR ROOM’s first year were written by majors. Why is that, and what lessons does it suggest?
THE VEXING AND COMPLEX CIVIL WAR IN SYRIA
By Christopher Hemmer and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 3 May 2018
The on-going civil war in Syria is an intense and complex conflict. This podcast explains many of the historical and present-day issues fueling the war.
ART OF THE KOREAN DEAL: THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES
By Matthew Rose and Joel Babbitt, Released 4 May 2018
Now that negotiations between North Korea and the United States are likely, there are threats and opportunities on both sides that could shape the outcome.
Week of 7 May 2018
WHAT DO THE BRITS THINK OF AMERICAN OFFICERS?
By Patrick Sanders and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 8 May 2018
What do allied officers view as important qualities for senior leaders, and what are their perspectives of American officers? A British Army general answers…
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FROM AN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE
By Mick Ryan and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 9 May 2018
Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army and Commander of the Australian Defense College shares his perspectives on strategic leadership.
THE ART OF GAMING: STRATEGIC EDITION
By Brad Hardy, Released 11 May 2018
Article explains how the foundational program for Army strategists is incorporated gaming to teach critical thinking, negotiation, and communication skills.
Week of 14 May 2018
LEARNING STRATEGY THROUGH FILM
By Mark Gagnon and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 15 May
Podcast discusses the role of film in learning about military strategy and describes the War College’s highly successful Strategic Art Film program.
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE CASE METHOD
By Volker C. Franke and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 16 May
This presentation explores the benefits of using the case method to educate budding strategic leaders to make better decisions and recommendations.
FROM POLICY & STRATEGY TO CAPABILITY & CAPACITY: THE DEFENSE MANAGEMENT PRIMER
By Tom Galvin and Andrew A. Hill, Released 18 May
Most War College graduates spend the remainder of their careers in defense management roles. It is time to give them the tools they need to succeed.
Week of 21 May 2018
GAME ON OR GAME OVER: HYPERCOMPETITION AND MILITARY ADVANTAGE
By Nate Freier, James Hayes, Michael Hatfield, and Lisa Lamb, Released 22 May
Explores the various ways that the U.S.’s strategic advantage is eroding and expresses nine fundamentals that leaders must consider for any corrective action.
THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE TODAY (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #1)
By Genevieve Lester and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 23 May
The WAR ROOM podcast series on intelligence begins with a discussion of the purpose and challenges of intelligence in today’s dynamic security environment.
COMPLECTE ABYSSUM: NEW TRICK FOR OLD DOG OF DETERRENCE
By Kelly Jordan, Released 24 May
America’s national security policy appears to embrace the chaos of today’s environment, but does it clash with its preferred reliance on deterrence?
Week of 28 May 2018
DO ETHICS MATTER IN WARFARE TODAY?
By Pauline Shanks Kaurin and Andrew A. Hill, Released 29 May
WAR ROOM podcast discusses the relevance of military ethical frameworks in war when adversaries appear free to act immorally.
BRING A LONG SPOON: THE KOREAN DEAL
By Jinwoo Kim, Released 30 May
Did the April summit between the Koreas change the course of history or is it just a blip? What will it take to finally reach a lasting peace on the peninsula?
POLICY SUCCESS VS. INTEL FAILURE? (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #2)
By Rose McDermott and Paul Mekkelson, Released 1 June
Discusses skills and knowledge needed for success in the intelligence field and the common tendencies of crediting successes to policy but failures to intel.
Week of 4 June 2018
THE SENIOR NCO AS A STRATEGIC LEADER
By Christopher Martinez and Andrew A. Hill, Released 5 June
Recently retired U.S. Army War College Command Sergeant Major reflects on his 30-year career and leadership from a senior enlisted perspective.
INTELLIGENCE & RISK: VICKSBURG, GUADALCANAL, IRAQ
By Jean Dagher, Released 6 June
A review of three campaigns illustrates how different interpretations of intelligence can change the perceptions of operational risk.
IMPACT (OR NOT) OF INTEL ON STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #3)
By Paul Pillar and Dawn Hicks, Released 7 June
Discusses the uncertain relationship between intelligence and policy makers — sometimes close, sometimes distant. Does either way lead to better decisions?
THE DEATH OF THE CYBER GENERALIST
By Patrick Bell and Jan Kallberg, Released 8 June
The current model for officer’s career progression is a misfit for cyber. What is most important – maintain industrial age Taylorism or ensure mission success?
Week of 11 June 2018
STRATEGIC ATTACKS AND THEIR FALLOUT (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #4)
By Richard Betts and Adam Dietrich, Released 12 June
WAR ROOM podcast asks what intelligence success and failure really mean, and how realistic is the expectation that all strategic attacks can be stopped?
America’s Byzantine Strategy
By Michail Ploumis, Released 14 June
War Room article compares the shift in U.S. grand strategy from the Roman Empire’s emphasis on military power to the smart-power focus of the Byzantines.
THE CHALLENGES OF SENIOR LEADER COMMUNICATION
By John Hyten and Andrew A. Hill, Released 15 June
Commander, STRATCOM addresses the challenges of communicating vision and urgent strategic issues to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
Week of 18 June 2018
“STAR WARS” AS A LENS FOR GRAND STRATEGY?
By Matt Cavanaugh and Andrew A. Hill, Released 19 June
Active-duty Army strategist discusses how “Star Wars” provides a useful lens for examining grand strategy and provides several (real) historical examples.
TOO MUCH WAR, NOT ENOUGH COLLEGE
By Jennifer Mittelstadt, Released 20 June
A visiting professor to the War College suggests five ways that hiring more civilian academics could strengthen the institution’s educational mission.
NEEDLES IN HAYSTACKS: ANALYZING TODAY’S FLOOD OF INFORMATION (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #5)
By Adam Wasserman and Chris Todd, Released 21 June
Former CIA political analyst discusses the particular challenges of conducting strategic intelligence analysis in today’s information-heavy environment.
More is not better: Fixing Security Cooperation
By Brian Rauen, Terri Erisman, and Edward Ballanco, Released 22 June
Using the 2012 Tuareg rebellion as example, the authors argue for significant changes to the way the U.S. plans and implements security cooperation.
Week of 25 June 2018
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! — INTRODUCING WHITEBOARD
By Tom Galvin, Jacqueline E. Whitt, and Andrew A. Hill, Released 25 June
Introduces a new special series, called the Whiteboard, where collaboration leads to new ideas and practical solutions to complex problems.
WHITEBOARD: HOW WELL DOES THE ARMY DEVELOP STRATEGIC LEADERS?
By WAR ROOM, Released 25 June
War College students and faculty were asked to contribute short pieces assessing their views about leader development in the Army. Readers are invited to respond.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND CHANGING THE US ARMY IN EUROPE
By Mark Hertling and Jacqueline E. Whitt, Released 26 June
Retired U.S. Army LTG Mark Hertling reflects on strategic leadership through transforming U.S. Army Europe and serving as a division commander during the surge.
MY LAI: A STAIN ON THE U.S. ARMY
By Richard Lacquement, Released 27 June
The events of My Lai 50 years ago were dreadful, despicable, and tragic. It would be a great travesty to ignore what happened and fail to learn from it.
WHERE DOES INTELLIGENCE GO FROM HERE? AN INTERVIEW WITH JAMES CLAPPER (INTELLIGENCE SERIES #6)
By James Clapper and Genevieve Lester, Released 28 June
WAR ROOM welcomes former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to discuss his perspectives on themes presented throughout the series.
WRITE FOR US!
WAR ROOM relies on contributions through an open submission process. Please refer to our About Page for submission guidelines and procedures. We hope to see you in the WAR ROOM!
Other Indexes:
- WAR ROOM INDEX — 2020 ANNUAL COLLECTION OF ARTICLES AND FEATURES
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 15 (FALL 2020)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 14 (SUMMER 2020)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 13 (SPRING 2020)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 12 (WINTER 2020)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 11 (FALL 2019)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 10 (SUMMER 2019)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 9 (SPRING 2019)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 8 (WINTER 2019)
- WAR ROOM INDEX — VOL. 7 (FALL 2018)