Center of Gravity

In this episode, Henry and Jake discuss the first weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: the situation on the ground, each side's strategies, operations, and tactics, as well as what may be ahead. In a follow on episode, we will answer audience questions which you can submit at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0cmFIU-2Egie0Ol9jkPS74ihgG9-ZVzuGpecD1lv6OZWVgw/viewform

In this episode we remember our professor Nuno Monteiro and discuss the rhetoric around the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In this episode Henry and Jake discuss the Capitol Break-in and its national security implications and answer some listener questions. Tune in to hear who we think the sexiest strategists in history are. 

Get to know your podcast hosts better in this episode as they both share their ongoing thesis projects. Jake will share his work on identity, strategic thinking, and conflict in Moldova, while Henry will discuss his project looking at the early stages of the Guatemalan civil war. Afterwards there will be a Q&A session with questions posed by our listeners. This is a great episode for learning a little more about the research interests of the Center of Gravity hosts and getting your voice heard as well!

On this episode we discuss what makes armies win or lose in battle. Helping us answer these questions is Dr. Stephen Biddle, author of Military Power: Explaining Victory and Defeat in Modern Battle one of the most impactful works in this field. Dr. Biddle discusses his theory, research methods, and the connection between battlefield performance and grand strategy in this interview. Whether you are already steeped in battlefield performance studies or have never heard of this field before, this episode will unpack some of the biggest debates and questions surrounding this topic. 

Welcome to the first episode of Center of Gravity! A podcast exploring themes in grand strategy and international relations, with a side of humor and pop culture analysis. In this episode, we unpack Carl von Clausewitz’s seminal book On War, going over major themes as well as ongoing scholarly debates. One of the most famous (and controversial) thinkers on the nature of war, strategy, and leadership, Carl von Clausewitz casts a long shadow. Yet the complex, and at times contradictory nature of his theory makes it difficult to digest, and highly susceptible to misrepresentation. This episode lays out some of the basic ideas presented by Clausewitz, ranging from the political nature of war, to the role of genius among commanders. Whether you are a seasoned Clausewitz enthusiast or if you have never heard about On War until today, we hope this episode will draw out new insights, and clarify some of the more challenging aspects of Clausewitz’s thought process.