Technology is rapidly changing the modern battlefield, making it important for militaries to adapt the way they think, fight, and train. But what should that adaptation look like? For example, how can the U.S. Army evolve at the tactical level to meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities presented by technological advances? How should Army leaders and other decision makers approach the difficult choices they face, from acquisition to force composition to initiatives across Europe and Asia? Achieving deterrence in a time of rapid change What is required to do so?
These questions are the focus of Season 2, Episode 4. social science of war Podcast. Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla is joined by three of his guests to examine how technology is changing the future of ground warfare.
Retired General Robert Abrams recently retired from active duty after more than 39 years of service. He most recently served as commander of the United Nations Command, commander of the U.S.-South Korea Combined Forces, and commander of U.S. Forces Korea. Previously, he served as Commander, U.S. Army Command, where he commanded more than 229,000 active-duty soldiers and oversaw training and readiness for the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. General Abrams, an armored cavalryman, has commanded at all levels and led troops in combat operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also the commander of the Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. His joint experience includes serving as strategic war planner for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Abrams also served as a senior military aide to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Dr Jack Watling is a Senior Research Fellow in Ground Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. Jack works closely with the British Armed Forces on the development of operational concepts and assessment of future operational environments, and conducts operational analysis of contemporary conflicts. He also spends a lot of time doing field research in places like Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Weapons of the Future: 21st Century Technology and Close Combat.
Maj. Ryan Van Wie is a U.S. Army infantry officer and former assistant professor in the West Point School of Social Sciences who has published multiple papers on the Ukraine war. He served as a company commander in his 2017 Operation Atlantic His Resolve in Europe and most recently deployed as an operations officer with 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment in Operation European Assurance, Deterrence, and Reinforcement.
of socializing science of war The podcast is produced by the West Point School of Social Sciences. If you would like to become a student or teach in this department, or connect with a lecturer based on their expertise, please visit our website.
Created by Kyle Atwell social science of war. Season 2 of the podcast is hosted by Dr. Naqissa Jahanbani, Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla, Lt. Col. Sean McKnight, and Maj. Gabriel Royal.This episode socializing science of war Podcasts in general.
Image credit: Sergeant Antonio Vincent, U.S. Army
