Examining the Inner Workings: A Detailed Analysis of the U.S. National Defense Strategy
Retired Brigadier General Chris Burns Joins Irregular Warfare Initiative
Retired Brigadier General Chris Burns, a seasoned military leader with over three decades of experience, has joined the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) as a senior advisor. During his distinguished career, Burns commanded Special Operations Command North at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and led special operations units at multiple echelons.
IWI is a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. The organisation generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers as IWI fellows.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast, a production of IWI, recently released Episode 73, focusing on the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and its relationship with irregular warfare. Hosts Ben Jebb and Julia McClenon led the discussion, which involved the unclassified version of the NDS.
The NDS, a key U.S. Department of Defense document, articulates national security objectives, prioritizes threats, and guides military planning and resource allocation. The 2022 NDS emphasizes defending the U.S. homeland, deterring strategic attacks (primarily from China as the pacing threat, with Russia secondary), and preparing to prevail in conflict through integrated deterrence, focusing on alliances, partnerships, and campaign activities such as joint exercises with allies.
However, the specific role of irregular warfare in the NDS is less explicitly highlighted. While the strategy shifts toward great-power competition with near-peer adversaries like China and Russia, emphasizing conventional deterrence, technological advancement, and force readiness, irregular warfare principles likely intersect with the NDS's emphasis on "campaigning" and complex security environments.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast's discussion likely explores how the NDS addresses or integrates irregular warfare concepts within current U.S. defense priorities. It might discuss balancing the focus on high-end, great-power conflict with the persistent need to understand irregular warfare tactics, especially since U.S. strategic adversaries employ a spectrum of conflict modes including irregular operations. The interaction might involve discussing how irregular warfare capabilities contribute to deterrence, campaigning, and alliance dynamics emphasized in the NDS.
For those interested in learning more about the Irregular Warfare Podcast and related topics, IWI offers a monthly newsletter providing access to written content, upcoming community events, and other resources. You can also engage with IWI on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
Dr. Kori Schake, a senior fellow and the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, has had a distinguished career in government, working at the highest levels of the State Department, the Pentagon, and the National Security Council at the White House.
[1] National Defense Strategy 2022, U.S. Department of Defense, https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2022-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf [2] National Defense Strategy 2022, U.S. Department of Defense, https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2022-National-Defense-Strategy.pdf [3] National Defense Strategy 2022, U.S. Department of Defense, https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2022-National-Defense-Strategy-Factsheet.pdf
- Retired Brigadier General Chris Burns, now with the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI), brings his vast military experience to contribute to discussions on defense policy and policy-and-legislation.
- The Irregular Warfare Podcast, a podcast by IWI, delves into the relationship between the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and irregular warfare, focusing on integrating irregular warfare concepts within current U.S. defense priorities.
- As a seasoned military leader with expertise in special operations, General Burns might provide insights into the role of defense policy in national security, particularly regarding irregular warfare strategies.
- The Irregular Warfare Initiative offers resources and events for those interested in general news, politics, and security, providing a platform for discourse on military, defense, and security-related topics.
- The 2022 NDS, a key U.S. Department of Defense document, focuses on deterring strategic attacks and preparing to prevail in conflict, while the specific role of irregular warfare in the strategy requires further exploration.
