Fiction can be liberating. It offers authors latitude to think, propose, and prognosticate about real-world topics in ways that non-fiction does not allow. The ability to ask “what if?” can be an incredible tool in the national security realm that can inform real-time, real-world efforts and offer “solutions” to wicked problems. Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan has joined the ranks of fiction writers to help leaders think about what conflict with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) might look like in his new book, White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan. He’s in the studio with podcast editor Ron Granieri to explain why he chose narrative as a tool to continue his dedicated service to professional military education. A 35-year veteran of the Australian Army, Ryan has plenty of experience to inform his fictional account of a possible conflict with the PRC. It is both an enjoyable read and an informative guide as to what technology on the future battlefield might look like.
We have been tool users who’ve been the masters of machines. We’re entering an environment where we’re no longer the masters of the machines we’re partners to them and preparing people for an environment where they’re equal partners with machines rather than controllers of them is just not something that’s part of our training and education systems.
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Mick Ryan is a strategist and retired major general from the Australian Army. A distinguished graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, as well as the USMC Command and Staff College and the USMC School of Advanced Warfare, he is a passionate advocate of professional education and lifelong learning. In a 35-year military career, he commanded at multiple levels in the Australian Army and served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Timor. His first book, War Transformed, was published in 2022 and his most recent book, White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan was released May 2023.
Ron Granieri is Professor of History at the U.S. Army War College and the Editor of A BETTER PEACE.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Republic of China Flag flying over Hsinchu Air Base, Taiwan.
Photo Credit: Velkiira via Flickr