Episodes
For our tenth and final episode in this series, Kevin and I have a fascinating chat with two retired American Special Forces operators who now lead projects on technology, organizational culture, and decision making. Derek Jones and Dan Leaf join us to discuss the implications of a potential over-reliance upon technology within the special operations force community. They suggest that the idea of a hyper-connected operator will be challenged by the realities of peer and near-peer conflict and...
Published 12/07/22
Published 12/07/22
In our ninth episode, we speak with the deputy commander of the Polish Territorial Defence Forces (TDF), Brigadier General Maciej Klisz. Our conversation examines what constitutes the TDF and draws connections between territorial defence and unconventional warfare, suggesting that territorial defence – especially in militaries that have focused on expeditionary operations, is in many ways a form of special operation.
Published 08/02/22
This episode serves a primer of sorts for the role of special operations forces within the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). While the episode begins with a reflection and updated of the analytic framework that the guests first introduced in 2016, it turned into an incredibly valuable discussion on the origins of IDF SOF as well as the challenges facing this organization in the future. Indeed, this episode – for those who are not familiar with the IDF – provides a unique perspective to the way in...
Published 04/12/22
In this episode, our first for 2022, we had a fascinating discussion about the concept of narrative and how it relates to SOF employment concepts. Over the course of the conversation, Dave presents a working definition of narrative as a collection of ideas and concepts that codify meaning to events and behaviours. The conversation then directly connects narrative to the concept of special operations, making a cogent argument for a reconceptualization of what constitutes a special operation...
Published 01/12/22
Published 01/12/22
Published 12/06/21
In this episode, Kevin and I sit down with Erin Yantzi, a graduate student from the University of Waterloo who is conducting a unique sociological and anthropological examination of SOF culture. In this conversation, we discuss both the shaping effect of culture upon SOF organizations as well as how the concept of culture can be operationalized by leaders to improve unit – and indeed individual – performance.
Published 12/01/21
We are back from our extended summer hiatus! In this episode, Kevin and I were blessed to be able to speak with the Deputy Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), Brigadier General Steven Hunter. Over the course of our conversation, we do a deep dive into the question of Special Operations Forces integration. The conversation looked at how CANSOFCOM works within the Canadian context, with allies, and with partners. Several key take aways included the idea that SOF...
Published 09/30/21
We are back from our extended summer hiatus! In this episode, Kevin and I were blessed to be able to speak with the Deputy Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), Brigadier General Steven Hunter. Over the course of our conversation, we do a deep dive into the question of Special Operations Forces integration. The conversation looked at how CANSOFCOM works within the Canadian context, with allies, and with partners. Several key take aways included the idea that SOF...
Published 09/30/21
In this episode we have a fascinating discussion on the evolution of Belgian Special Operations Forces. In this episode, we pull out several key take aways to include the importance of having and maintaining a national, integrated SOF capability, as well as the idea that SOF never works alone, both in terms of working with other SOF units from around the world as well as within a national, joint context.
Published 06/30/21
In this episode we have a thought-provoking discussion on the central question of the series. Drawing on historical lessons from past periods of great power competition and the role of SOF therein, we start by asking our guests to examine what might be new about this current competitive environment. We then ask them to explore what new or reemphasized roles might be needed for SOF employment to be optimized today within the Canadian context.
Published 05/17/21
In this episode we have a wide-ranging discussion on the concept of counter-threat finance. We are joined by the US Army Special Operations Command Comptroller, COL Sara Dudley, who explains the security implications of finance and the role the SOF can play in this space. In particular, COL Dudley explains how threat finance is part of the broader intelligence function within defence and security. This series is sponsored in part by the Kingston Consortium on International Security through...
Published 04/05/21
n this episode we have a wide-ranging discussion on the concept of counter-threat finance. We are joined by the US Army Special Operations Command Comptroller, COL Sara Dudley, who explains the security implications of finance and the role the SOF can play in this space. In particular, COL Dudley explains how threat finance is part of the broader intelligence function within defence and security.
Published 04/05/21
In episode 1 Christian Breede & Kevin D. Stringer lay the foundation for this limited series by presenting a conceptual framework for understanding what Special Operations Forces (SOF) does and how that might need be recast in light of the refocusing of security attention to great power competition.
Published 02/15/21
In episode 1 Christian Breede & Kevin D. Stringer lay the foundation for this limited series by presenting a conceptual framework for understanding what Special Operations Forces (SOF) does and how that might need be recast in light of the refocusing of security attention to great power competition.
Published 02/15/21