In this episode of SSI Live, Major Brennan Deveraux interviews Colonel Kyle Marcrum and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Milas on the SSI-developed China Strategic Competition Seminar. The conversation explores the origin and relevance of the seminar, highlighting the initiative to educate Army officers on understanding how the People’s Republic of China implements its instruments of national power, its objectives, and its activities both in the Indo-Pacific and globally. Brennan DeverauxWelcome to SSI Live. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests, and not necessarily those of the Department of the Army, the US Army War College, or any other agency of the US government. I’m your guest host, Major Brennan Deveraux, filling in once again for John Deni, who is on sabbatical this academic year.I’m joined today by my SSI coworkers, Colonel Kyle Marcrum and Lieutenant Colonel Paul Milas. Colonel Marcrum is new to SSI, as well as to the China Landpower Studies Center (CLSC). He is an Indo-Pacific foreign area officer (FAO) who served at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the office of the Secretary of Defense, and as a military attaché in China, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Taiwan.Lieutenant Colonel Milas is also a foreign area officer at SSI and has been our resident Director of African Affairs for the last few years. He previously served at the US Embassy in Rwanda and at the Defense Intelligence Agency.For this conversation, we’re going to be exploring the SSI-developed China Strategic Competition Seminar (CSC). Colonel Milas, I’m going to start with you.I’ll just start with the most straightforward question. What is the China Strategic Competition Seminar or what we call it around the office, CSC. Paul MilasThanks, Brennan. So, the CSC seminar is designed to provide foreign area officers, FA [Functional Area] 59 strategists, and really the everyday warfighter with the tools really necessary to compete with China in this world of great power competition. The course focuses on understanding how the PRC implements its instruments of national power, its objectives, [and] its activities both in the Indo-Pacific and globally.And the aim of the course is to identify opportunities for our army to counter China’s narrative, counter their initiatives, and advance US interests. DeverauxIf I could follow up, what was kind of the spark that led to this class and how long has it been going? MilasSo I became involved with this in early 2023 when I first got to SSI. The year prior, and sometime before that, some of the senior Indo-Pacific foreign area officers identified that there was possibly a gap in our China knowledge due to the reorganization and consolidation of the FAO areas of concentration in the Indo-Pacific. And they recognize that all Indo-Pacific FAOs really need to have a baseline knowledge of the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to better support the joint force.And they saw that some of that was possibly lacking due to that consolidation. Brigadier General Pat Teague, the SDO-DATT (Senior Defense Official- Defense Attache) in Beijing at the time, has really been the main driver of this course and implementing this course. And so, again, a few years ago, about 2022 or so, the USARPAC (US Army Pacific Command) Security Cooperation Division wrote an information paper with an idea to create a course similar to the European Russia Way of War course, but [for] this one we focus on the PRC.And so, during that whole process of thinking about a course, recognizing that we need more China expertise, they reached out to the Army War College and asked us to develop a curriculum because we are an academic institution. And at the same time all this was happening,

In this episode of SSI Live, Major Brennan Deveraux interviews Dr. Brian Carlson, a research professor of Indo-Pacific security studies for the China Landpower Studies Center, on Central Asia. The conversation highlights two drastically dif...

From January to August 2016, Army strategist and SSI National Security Researcher Major Brennan Deveraux (https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3901211/maj-brennan-deveraux/) served in Iraq in a strike cell as the theater-level rocket artillery liaison for Operation Inherent Resolve, firing over 500 rockets that killed hundreds of enemy fighters. His recently published memoir of that experience, Exterminating ISIS: Behind the Curtain of a Technological War, is a raw, unflinching examination of how the U.S. military leveraged its technological advantage to eliminate the ISIS threat… and the moral dilemmas that come with an unfair fight. Given the central roles that artillery and drones play on today’s battlefields in places like Ukraine, the publication of MAJ Deveraux’s book is particularly timely. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

A year and a half ago, Javier Milei shocked Latin America by winning a landslide election in Argentina. His libertarian approach and dogmatic style worried many as he assumed the presidency starting in December 2023 – so how have things turned out so far? Dr. Evan Ellis (https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3356767/dr-r-evan-ellis/), SSI’s Research Professor of Latin American Studies, joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni (https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3356752/dr-john-r-deni/) to discuss his recent trip to Argentina, during which Dr. Ellis had the opportunity to gauge perspectives on Milei’s track record to date. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

America’s European allies have played a critical role in providing military assistance to Ukraine. Can Europeans maintain that effort or even increase it if the United States reduces its role? What lessons can the United States learn from the role of its European allies in this war, which might be applicable to future rounds of strategic competition with Russia and China? The National Defense University’s Dr. Lisa Aronsson (https://inss.ndu.edu/Media/Biographies/Article-View/Article/2142547/lisa-aronsson/) joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni (https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3356752/dr-john-r-deni/) to discuss their recently published monograph, The Role of America’s European Allies in the Russia-Ukraine War, 2022–24. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.0Dph90W0WyideB2kBohM

Satellites and anti-satellite capabilities have come to play a major role in modern warfare and strategic competition. How are they being used today in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War? What role are government-owned systems and commercial systems playing, and how are Russia and Ukraine leveraging each? How has the war reinforced or created new norms regarding escalation? SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni spoke with Dr. Ron Gurantz regarding his insightful new monograph Satellites in the Russia-Ukraine War. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

Reconceptualizing Homeland Defense in the Indo-Pacific – Homeland defense does not begin at the water’s edge, at least not on the east and west coasts of the United States. How do we think about, plan for, and operationalize defense of far-flung American territories? In their latest publication, Dr. Mike Lynch and Major Brennan Deveraux argue the definition of homeland defense must now extend well beyond North American shores. In this episode of SSI Live, they discuss how exercises, presence, and other tools build and strengthen partnerships with countries across the region, reinforcing homeland defense. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

Paraguay as a Linchpin Both Literally and Figuratively – Paraguay sits at the crossroads of both illicit and licit activities in South America, with implications stretching from arms trafficking to the drug trade to Hezbollah’s fundraising to China-Taiwan issues. How is the relatively new government of President Santiago Peña dealing with Paraguay’s many challenges, including significant corruption? What are the promises and perils it faces politically, economically, and militarily? Dr. Evan Ellis joined SSI Live host John R. Deni for a deep dive on Paraguay, including a readout of Evan’s meeting with President Peña. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 110 – Proxy War Ethics: The Norms of Partnering in Great Power Competition – Given the unfolding wars in Ukraine and Gaza – both of which have seen proxy activity or something that looks a lot like proxy activity – what kind of ethical concerns should policymakers focus on? Have proxy wars become more common over time, and are ethical challenges inherent in them? How can we strengthen the norms that govern proxy war activity? SSI Live host John R. Deni invited Dr. Tony Pfaff to discuss his latest book. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 109 – Putin’s Reelection, Russia’s Trajectory, and the War in Ukraine – Vladimir Putin was recently reelected to an unprecedented fifth term. He faced no serious challenges, thanks to a strict crackdown on opposition and free speech. Relatedly, last month marked two years since Russia began its second and far more brutal invasion of Ukraine. As that war enters its third year, and as Putin basks in his reelection, how do we assess his place in Russian history and culture, what does the election tell us about Russia’s trajectory, and what are the implications for the war and the West? SSI Live host John R. Deni invited Bob Hamilton, Steve Blank, and Craig Nation to discuss Russia, Putin, and the West. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 108 – Latin America and Caribbean Outlook for 2024 – What is the outlook for security, defense, politics, and economics across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024? How do far-away conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza impact the region? And what’s on the agenda(s) of extraterritorial actors like China, Russia, and Iran in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America? SSI Live host John R. Deni invited Evan Ellis to discuss what we might expect to see in 2024 and the related implications for the United States. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 107 – SSI Launches China Landpower Studies Center – The Strategic Studies Institute has just launched a new initiative, the China Landpower Studies Center (CLSC). SSI Live host John Deni invited its Research Director, Josh Arostegui, to discuss the new Center, its research priorities, and how China’s actions across the Indo-Pacific make this an ideal – even vital – time to launch this important effort. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

Clear, Hold, [and don’t] Build? The Study of Internal Conflict – Although strategic competition has placed China and Russia at the center of American security policy, internal conflicts in places like Iraq, Kosovo, Syria, and Yemen continue to demand the attention of policymakers. SSI’s Dr. Chris Mason has examined these and dozens of others through his multi-year Study of Internal Conflict. What do the many case studies he and his team have examined tell us about the Western approach – including the Clear, Hold, Build strategy – to internal conflict? Is there a clear path ahead for policy-makers wrestling with how to solve these complex challenges? Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.

SSI Live 105 – The Dragon and the Bear in Africa – Much is made of the ‘axis of authoritarianism’ emerging between Moscow and Beijing, and it’s clear the PRC is playing an important if only implicit role in supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine. But how do these two strategic actors collaborate in other regions? SSI’s Dr. Bob Hamilton spoke to SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss his latest research on whether and how China and Russia interact – or not – in Africa, and what implications this might hold for the United States. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.Keywords: Africa, China, Russia, Ukraine, war, authoritarianism

SSI Live 104 – Implications of Milei’s Election in Argentina – Libertarian Javier Milei recently won a landslide victory in Argentina’s presidential election on a platform of radical reform designed to solve the country’s major economic challenges. How did Milei pull it off? What came out of his post-election trip to the United States? How likely is he to achieve his policy aims at home and abroad? And what are the implications for the U.S.-Argentinian security relationship? SSI’s Dr. Evan Ellis joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these questions and more. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.Keywords: Javier Milei, Argentina, Libertarian Javier Milei, SSI Live Podcast, Dr. R. Evan Ellis, John R. Deni

Terrestrial Responses to Space Aggression – Russia and China have both tested ground-based anti-satellite missiles as well as on-orbit anti-satellite weapons. The latter include projectiles launched from one satellite to another and satellites that can grapple and move other satellites. How should or can the United States respond to an attack on its own satellites? Why does attacking an adversary’s satellite in retaliation make for an unappealing option? SSI research professor Dr. Ron Gurantz joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss the complex issues surrounding deterrence and aggression in space. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below.Keywords: China, Russia, ground-based anti-satellite missiles, on-orbit anti-satellite weapons, deterrence and aggression in space

Implications of Elections in Argentina, Ecuador, and Venezuela – It’s election season in South America, and the outcomes in three key countries have somewhat surprised observers. The implications for Argentina’s flailing economy, the narcotics-fueled violence in Ecuador, and the flow of oil from Venezuela are numerous, but what do they mean for the United States and the Pentagon? Dr. Evan Ellis joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss election results from Argentina, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Listen here, download to your device, or subscribe below. John R. Deni: http://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3356752/dr-john-r-deni/ R. Evan Ellis: http://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/Who-We-Are/Faculty-Staff/Article/3356767/dr-r-evan-ellis/

What’s the Real State of the Russia-China Relationship? – The debate over the nature of the Russia-China relationship remains unsettled. One side believes the two are strategic partners, while the other believes their ties are merely an “axis of convenience”. Understanding the nature of their relationship is of vital importance to U.S. national security, so how can we gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Russian-Chinese relations? Dr. Bob Hamilton, SSI Research Professor of Eurasian Studies, recently published an essay on this topic with the Foreign Policy Research Institute – in this podcast, he joined SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni to discuss the relationship between Moscow and Beijing.Read Hamilton's article here: https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/05/stress-testing-chinese-russian-relations/ (https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/05/stress-testing-chinese-russian-relations/)Keywords: Moscow, Beijing, U.S. national security, strategic partners, Russia-China Relationship

SSI Live 100 – Panama’s Evolving Relationship with China – Panama is a relatively small country but one of pivotal strategic importance in our hemisphere, especially given the role of the Panama canal and the related financial services industry. Dr. Evan Ellis had the opportunity to travel there recently to engage Panamanian officials and academics, to get a sense of what’s ahead as the country faces national elections next year, to gauge the country’s evolving relationship with China, and to assess the implications for the United States.Keywords: Panama, China, Panama, Panama canal, Dr. R. Evan Ellis 

AI in Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) Military – What are the implications of the U.S. military incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into what it does during peacetime, in conflict, and everything in between? How does trust figure into the use of AI, both up and down the chain of command? To employ AI successfully, will we need all troops to be AI experts, and if so, what are the implications for DoD? SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni invited his colleague Dr. Tony Pfaff to discuss the recently published monograph Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army’s Professional Expert Knowledge (read here: https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/959/ (https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/959/)).Keywords: U.S. military, Artificial Intelligence (AI)