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The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare

by Chris Mayer National Security and Strategy Consultant
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Latest episodes

  • Is Just War Theory Obsolete? (E143)

    September 6, 2026 · 9 min

    Is Just War Theory still relevant to war and war fighting in the world today? Are the criteria of Just Cause, Right Intent, Legitimate Authority, and Proportionality, and Last Resort tools to restrain nations from going to war, or have…

  • Just War and Atom Bombs (E142)

    August 31, 2026 · 13 min

    Every August and September, the U.S. atomic bombing of Japan in 1945 seems to be a topic of discussion. This year, I decided to take that on and place it into the Just War framework, specifically jus in bello, or justice in the conduct of…

  • Is Hizballah a Mercenary Organization (E141)

    July 16, 2026 · 32 min

    The common definition of a mercenary is a soldier paid to fight in an armed conflict for a country that is not his or her own. The terrorist organization Hizballah operates in Lebanon, fighting against Israel, with financial, material and…

  • War Is Irrational (E140)

    June 17, 2026 · 10 min

    Is war rational? The great philosopher of war, Carl von Clausewitz, was a product of three schools of education: the classical tradition of Aristotle, the enlightenment philosophers such as Kant, and the practical experience of Napoleon…

  • The Rational Actor Model (E139)

    June 9, 2026 · 11 min

    Since at least the 1940’s, policy and strategic thinking uses the so-called rational actor model in determining what competitors and partners may do, how to respond to them, and how they may react in return. Even considering variations to…

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  • Wars of Choice? (E138)

    June 1, 2026 · 10 min

    I haven’t posted for a few weeks mostly because the current armed conflict with Iran poses a lot of questions that I don’t have answers for. One thing I might have an answer for is the question about wars of choice. Recently, this term is…

  • Cyber-Mercenaries (E136)

    May 15, 2026 · 17 min

    Any quick net search for the term “cyber mercenary” will result in dozens, if not hundreds of entries. These concerns largely focus on the effect these persons or entities have on personal freedoms, economic activity, and the ability of…

  • Ceasefire? (E136)

    May 2, 2026 · 11 min

    As I post this, the cease-fires in Lebanon and Iran are still holding, and much longer than I expected. We usually think of cease fires as a good thing, enabling humanitarian activity and at least pause the death and destruction. That is…

  • What is a War Crime? (E135)

    April 18, 2026 · 10 min

    Every time the United States or Israel use military force, there are immediate claims that those military forces are committing war crimes. I also note that such claims are never made about the opposing side, whether that is Hamas…

  • Winning and Losing (E134)

    April 13, 2026 · 8 min

    The United States is in yet another war. The usual pundits say that we cannot win while others say we have already won. The same people seem to say nearly the same things about Russia’s war in Ukraine. I doubt that pundits in either camp…

  • Beyond IHL: The Law of Neutrality

    April 8, 2026 · 13 min

    I am not sure, but I think that I mention the Laws and Customs of War in about half of my episodes. (Clausewitz, of course features in almost EVERY episode -- except this one.) There is one part of the Law of War that is infrequently…

  • When the Law of War Fails (E132)

    March 29, 2026 · 11 min

    I believe that the Law of War remains valid in modern warfare and is essential to establishing peace after war. Despite that belief we see States such as Russia and Iran and non-state groups such as Hamas operate in a manner that looks…

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About the show

Exploring changes in the practice of war while the fundamental nature and principles of war are unchanging. Includes mercenaries, PMSC, Hybrid Warfare, revolution in military affairs. For in-depth information see my blog at blog.ctmayer.net