Ryan Evans
CEO & Founder @WarontheRocks
Articles by Ryan Evans
When the world's at stake, go beyond the headlines.
The tech soldiers carry will shape their performance in combat, missions, safety, and health. If you care about any of those things, you will love this episode. The next generation of American soldiers will operate with systems that blur the line between human and machine, but that future is still being worked out in real time. In this episode, three former servicemembers turned industry leaders look ahead to how frontline capabilities may evolve over the next decade and what will constrain them.
The Arsenal Beneath the Arsenal
What does it take to rebuild the foundation of American military power? Michael Cadenazzi, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, joined Ryan at a live event a few weeks back for a fascinating discussion on the state of the defense industrial base (from new VC-backed entrants to the primes), the race for critical minerals, supply chain vulnerabilities, the unsexy realities of implementation, the role of allies, and the challenges of scaling production.
SkyFoundry and the Future of American Drone Production at Scale
China and Russia are churning out millions of drones while the United States has little capacity to build them at scale. Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina introduced the SkyFoundry Act to change this, and it got rolled into the latest National Defense Authorization Act . This law authorizes a government-run facility capable of producing one million small drones annually, cutting China out of our supply chains and ending years of procurement delays.
Understanding Iran's Burgeoning Uprising
Ryan had an hour-long conversation with Afshon Ostovar, a leading expert on the Iranian regime and its brutal security services. Afshon breaks down everything you need to know to understand the protest movement taking to the streets across Iran, openly calling for the end of this authoritarian regime. How does the regime operate its repressive apparatus? What of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted shah who is waiting in the wings?
Trump’s Venezuelan Regime Change: Why Do People Keep Getting Him Wrong on Foreign Policy?
A number of thoughtful observers argued President Donald Trump would not pursue regime change in Venezuela. I was never convinced. On our podcast and in private conversations with experts and political leaders alike, I have been predicting that he would go for it. I also thought it was a bad idea, and I still think so. After a U.S. snatch-and-grab operation of Nicolás Maduro, who ruled Venezuela as a dictator, under the cover of a night of airstrikes, the question has been answered.
No End in Sight? The Russo-Ukrainian War at the End of 2025
Get the Briefing from Those Who've Been There Subscribe for sharp analysis and grounded insights from warriors, diplomats, and scholars.
The First Royal Marine to Become First Sea Lord
Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins visited Washington a few weeks ago and was kind enough to invite Ryan to the British Embassy for a nice chat about the U.S.-U.K. alliance, the threat landscape, his vision for delivering seapower, learning from Ukraine, acquisition reform, the future of the Royal Navy — which currently faces serious challenges but also key opportunities, and so much more. Image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025
Gen. Brunson on Holding the Line on the Korean Peninsula
Gen. Xavier T. Brunson is a busy man. As the senior U.S. military leader on the Korean Peninsula, he has three jobs, commanding U.N. Command, South Korean-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea. What all this boils down to is, if the balloon goes up with North Korea, or another adversary in the region, the forces under his command are expected to be ready to “fight tonight.” During a visit to Washington, Gen.
Getting Faster, Stronger, Ready: Sweden’s Defense Minister on Reform and Resolve
Since joining NATO in 2024, Sweden has taken on a more prominent role in European security. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson joined Ryan in Washington to discuss how Sweden is supporting Ukraine, rebuilding its own military with more resources, and pushing for a faster, more agile defense acquisition system. Image: Lance Cpl. Frank Sepulveda Torres via DVIDS
Building an Academic Arsenal
Since World War II, America’s universities have been part of the nation’s arsenal, forging the ideas, technology, and talent that underpin national defense. That engine of innovation never stopped running. John Beieler and John Paul Sawyer of the University of Maryland join Ryan to talk about the power of public–private partnerships in defense tech, quantum science, and AI, and how that work keeps American innovation humming just outside Washington. Image: Blacktupelo via Wikimedia Commons.
A 15-Point Plan to Get to a Ukrainian-Russian Settlement
Editor’s Note: A Ukrainian language version of this article is available / Будь ласка, зверніть увагу, що українська версія цієї статті доступна.
The Last Stand Dilemma in Ukraine
Based around Chicago? On the evening of Nov. 21, War on the Rocks is joining forces with BVVC and Union Technologies at a downtown Chicago location for an exclusive reception on the future of warfighting and defense technology. Join us for an evening of great conversation and lively company, featuring a live taping of the War on the Rocks podcast with Ryan Evans and a senior leader. Attendance is free, but space is limited. If you’d like to join, apply to attend here.
Is Strategy Possible Now? Ever?
Based around Chicago? On the evening of Nov. 21, War on the Rocks is joining forces with BVVC and Union Technologies at a downtown Chicago location for an exclusive reception on the future of warfighting and defense technology. Join us for an evening of great conversation and lively company, featuring a live taping of the War on the Rocks podcast with Ryan Evans and a senior leader. Attendance is free, but space is limited. If you’d like to join, apply to attend here.
A Conversation with Former Chairman, Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.
Gen. (ret.) C.Q. Brown may have been removed from his post as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but he isn’t finished serving. He joined Ryan at War on the Rocks HQ to talk about how America can realize the true promise of its faltering defense industrial enterprise (the focus of a recent article he authored). Brown argues the playbook already exists. What is missing is concerted action. He also opens up about his abrupt dismissal and how he sees his duty to the nation in the years ahead.
The Tech and Tradecraft Behind Open Source Intelligence
Open-source intelligence has matured into a complex blend of technology, access, and tradecraft. Ryan is joined by Ryan Curran of ZeroFox, Tucker Moore of Booz Allen Hamilton, and Scott Petry of Authentic8 to explore how today’s practitioners manage attribution, collect at scale, preserve provenance, and ensure human judgment remains at the center of the process.
Congressman Himes on Venezuela, Latin America & a Disordered World
As ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut has deep insights into national security. And he is concerned. He joined Ryan to share his thoughts on strikes on drug boats, the Trump administration’s foreign policy in Latin America, the way the administration fails to work with Congress on matters of national security, and strategy in other parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Image: Midjourney
How the Army Wants to Counter Drones
Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller joined Ryan at a live event to talk about what countering improvised explosive devices taught him about defeating drones, what the Army is learning from the southern border about emerging threats, and what he wants to see from industry. He makes the case for deeper collaboration between companies, sharper focus, and the courage to shut down what no longer works. Image: Midjourney
Missiles and the Math of Modern Warfare
When it comes to missiles, America lacks the magazine depth for a long fight, especially against a peer competitor like China. A major part of the problem: traditional U.S. missiles are simply too costly to produce at scale. Ryan sits down with three industry leaders working to change that.
Holding Ground: Ukraine, Russia, and the Politics of Persistence
Michael Kofman and Dara Massicot join Ryan to discuss the state of the front, how Ukraine and Russia are staying in the fight, the possible provision of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, contingencies expected and unexpected, the failures of Russian diplomacy, and what the most important developments of the year so far have been. Image: ArmyInform
What it Takes for Dual-Use Tech Companies to Truly Succeed
Sherman Williams, the co-founder of AIN Ventures, joins Ryan at the bar to discuss the hard realities of dual-use investing. They dig into inflated valuations, the dangers of easy capital, and the risks of betting on defense budgets that may not endure. They also examine the outlook for space companies, the role of private equity, and what it really takes for startups to survive in this sector. Image: Jack Bunja via DVIDS.
Is Europe Stepping Up on Defense?
Well, is it? From defense innovation, to scaling capabilities, to budgets, the answers aren’t easy. Ryan was joined by General Sir Richard Barrons of the United Kingdom and Peter Michael Nielsen of Denmark to sort through these issues. Barrons had a storied military career and most recently co-led his country’s Strategic Defence Review. Nielsen is Denmark’s deputy national armaments director, a role that has unique weight now as Denmark holds the E.U. presidency.
First-Ever Dog BNB For Traveling Dog Owners Launches in Orange County, CA
Exclusive Boarding has announced the launch of the first-ever Dog BNB that provides private dog boarding services from a residence to serve traveling dog owners Exclusive Boarding is revolutionizing the way dog owners travel with their dog by providing them with private luxury dog boarding accommodations.”WESTMINSTER, CA, UNITED STATES, September 25, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Exclusive Boarding of Orange County has announced the launch of the first-ever Dog BNB that provides upscale private...
Rockets, Politics, and Power: A Conversation with Tory Bruno of ULA
Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, joins us to talk about the hard business of getting things into space. He reflects on competition, what it took to turn ULA around, the politics of building new rockets, and what assured access to space means in the new era of great-power competition. Image: NOAA Satellite & Information Service and United Launch Alliance via Wikimedia Commons
Cogs of War: Moving at the Speed of War with Horacio Rozanski of Booz Allen
The future fight won’t be won by those with the biggest budgets, most polished strategies, or largest armies. It will be won by those who can translate breakthrough technology into usable capability at speed and scale. Ryan was joined by Horacio Rozanski, the CEO of Booz Allen, to talk about the role his company is playing in this race.
Moving at the Speed of War: A Conversation with Horacio Rozanski of Booz Allen
The future fight won’t be won by those with the biggest budgets, most polished strategies, or largest armies. It will be won by those who can translate breakthrough technology into usable capability at speed and scale. Ryan was joined by Horacio Rozanski, the CEO of Booz Allen, to talk about the role his company is playing in this race.
From Alaska to the White House to the Battlefields of Ukraine
In the wake of summits in Alaska and Washington, the war in Ukraine has become as much about competing diplomatic positions as it is about hard realities on the front. Ryan sat down with Dara Massicot and Mike Kofman to discuss what Putin really walked away with, how European leaders are trying to shore up Kyiv’s position, and whether the conversation over security guarantees could reshape the balance of the conflict.
The Chip That Crossed the Line? NVIDIA, China, and the Great Power Tech Race
We’re diving into a major development at the intersection of tech, trade, and national security: the U.S. government’s decision to allow NVIDIA’s H20 chips back into the Chinese market.
From BUD/S to the Boardroom: The Fight to Revolutionize Munitions Factories
A career-ending spinal injury during Navy SEAL training could have closed Joe Musselman’s chapter of service. Instead, it became the catalyst for a new one. He first founded The Honor Foundation to help special operators bring their elite standards to civilian leadership, then launched BVVC, a venture fund backing relentlessly focused founders. He most recently assembled the founding team at Union, a munitions company designed to re-imagine munitions production.
Forging Minds for Future Wars Original
In a time of rapid change and global danger, how should the warriors of the future be educated? Ryan sat down with Vice Adm. Peter Garvin, president of the National Defense University, to tackle this question — one that cuts to the core of American military power. Garvin offers a frank assessment of how professional military education needs to evolve to prepare leaders for a world defined by great-power rivalry, disruptive technologies (including and especially AI), and dynamic battlefields.
The Marine Corps Americans Want Can’t Be Derailed by a Fake Crisis
The Marine Corps relies on a sense of crisis to promote and prevent change more than any other institution I’ve come across. As one well-known Marine leader wrote over 40 years ago “the continuous struggle for a viable existence fixed clearly one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Corps — a sensitive paranoia, sometimes justified, sometimes not.” Indeed, many times throughout the history of our country, leaders have called into question whether the Marine Corps should exist.
Drones, Discord, and the Shifting Front in Ukraine
Fresh from his latest research trip to Ukraine’s battlefields, Michael Kofman joins Ryan for an insightful discussion on the shifting dynamics at the front, the role of drones in Ukraine’s defensive strategy, and the adaptation of Ukrainian military command structures in real time. They explore the political turmoil gripping Ukraine, including contentious reforms targeting anti-corruption agencies, and delve into evolving Western efforts for supplying arms to Ukraine.
Solving the Pentagon's Acquisition Puzzle - War on the Rocks
There’s a fundamental mismatch between the agile acquisition processes that the Pentagon says it wants, and the unfortunate bureaucratic reality. Bonnie Evangelista, an acquisition maverick, joins the show to explain why. She spent the last seven years implementing rapid acquisition strategies for Army Defensive Cyber, the Joint AI Center, and the Chief Digital AI Office, and is now a strategic advisor supporting the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul team rewriting the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Strategy in Contention: Debating America's Global Priorities - War on the Rocks
Does the United States need a new playbook — or just fewer plays? In this charged episode, big ideas collide over how to sequence American power across the Middle East, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific. Ryan is joined by A. Wess Mitchell (Marathon Initiative), Stacie Pettyjohn (Center for a New American Security), and Justin Logan (Cato Institute) for a scintillating debate over the future of U.S. strategy. Image: Army Pfc. Brent Lee
Lessons Learned and a Big Play on Drones from Latvia
Could this small state’s collaborative approach to defense planning be the future for countries seeking asymmetric advantages? Ryan traveled to northeastern Europe to sit down with Uģis Norītis, Latvia’s undersecretary of state for planning at its Ministry of Defence, to discuss how Latvia is growing its defense industry and industrial base.
Gen. Donahue on Deterring Russia in Europe
Gen. Christopher Todd Donahue, who leads U.S. Army Europe and Africa as well as Allied Land Command, joined Ryan for a discussion at WOTR HQ. For the first five minutes, they chat about his Army story, his time in the Ranger Regiment, before discussing how the Army Transformation Initiative is unfolding in Europe, from maneuver brigades, new technologies, command-and-control, drone and counter-drone operations, and more.
Introducing “The Iran Reckoning with Afshon Ostovar” – War on the Rocks
War on the Rocks is launching a new show called “The Iran Reckoning with Afshon Ostovar.” It’s a members-only show but this first episode is free for all. Join us as renowned Iran scholar Afshon Ostovar takes you inside one of America’s most complex and consequential adversaries.
How to Think About the Future of War – War on the Rocks
Gen. Jim Rainey, the commander of Army Futures Command, joins Ryan to share how emerging technologies are set to transform the way America’s soldiers will fight and win. He also shares some key insights about the Army Transformation Initiative. Image: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alison Strout Get the Briefing from Those Who've Been There
Making Professional Military Education More Agile in the Air Force – War on the Rocks
Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos joined Ryan at WOTR HQ to talk about her experience and insights into professional military education, both for the joint force and especially the Air Force. She shares what Air University, which she commands, has been doing to optimize its mission for competition with China, the pacing threat, and a high intensity fight where sanctuary areas are scarce if they exist at all.
The Israeli-Iranian War: How We Got Here & What It Means – War on the Rocks
Israel’s strikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, as well as its key military and security leadership, shocked the world. How did we arrive here? What did the Israeli strikes accomplish? What options does Iran have? How did the Iranian-U.S. nuclear talks fail to forestall this? Will the United States become a party to the conflict? What about the Russian and Iraqi dimensions?
The Future of NATO Defense, Resilience, and Allied Innovation
As world leaders gather in The Hague for the 2025 NATO Summit, CSIS will host a timely conversation on how allied innovation, battlefield learning, and frontline resilience are shaping the future of defense. The war in Ukraine has accelerated advancements in drone warfare and underscored the need for faster, more agile models of defense production and capability fielding.
Introducing Cogs of War – War on the Rocks
It was 1940. War raged across Asia and Europe. America had not yet joined the war, but the country was beginning to prepare for the worst. Franklin D. Roosevelt sat in the White House, speaking to his fellow citizens in one of his famous fireside chats.
How America's Special Operators are Preparing for a High-Tech Future
Down in Tampa on the sidelines of SOF Week, Ryan spoke with Lt. Gen. Frank Donovan, vice commander of Special Operations Command, in front of a live audience about how America’s special operators are leading the way on the the future of warfare, from great power competition to data and AI — or, how our guest puts it, from the seabed to low earth orbit. Image: U.S. Marine Corps
The Army's Upcoming Transformation, with Secretary Driscoll and Gen. George
Ryan popped across the Potomac to the Pentagon to speak with Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George about the ambitious Army Transformation Initiative. Following a directive from the secretary of defense, the initiative aims to streamline the Army’s force structure, cut wasteful spending, and rapidly modernize its capabilities. Image: U.S. Army Photo by 1st Lt. Ellington Ward
Gen. Berger on Leadership in a Turbulent Era
In today’s world, turbulence isn’t temporary—it‘s the new normal. In this episode, Gen. (ret.) David Berger, former commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, shares why adaptability, resilience, and grit are not just desirable but essential traits for leaders in an uncertain and unpredictable age. Successful leaders must embrace disruption rather than waiting for stability to return, he tells Ryan.
The Future of Sweden's Military with Chief of Defense Michael Claesson
Gen. Michael Claesson, Chief of Defense of the Swedish Armed Forces, joined Ryan during a visit to Washington to share how NATO has changed Sweden’s armed forces as well as the details of their modernization, consolidation, and expansion efforts — on land, at sea, and in the air. They also discuss the challenges of mobilization in future wars defined by higher technology systems, training, working with industry, and how Sweden has learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Not the Last Net Assessment
In this joint episode with the Net Assessment crew, recorded last week on “Liberation Day,” Ryan joins Chris, Zack, and Melanie to talk about what’s happening in the world as well as the future of Net Assessment, which is moving on to its forever home with the Stimson Center. If you would like to support Net Assessment, please consider donating to this special fund.
One Last Trip Around the World?
Chris, Melanie, and Zack are joined by a special guest for a big announcement. They also lament the demise of the Office of Net Assessment, debate the merits of DOGE, and discuss Secretary Hegseth’s visit to Asia and the strength of those alliances. If you would like to support Net Assessment, please consider donating to this special fund. Image: Midjourney
Lt. Gen. Sklenka on Staying in the Fight
The Marine general and deputy commandant in charge of installations and logistics was kind enough to join Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation on military service, logistics, and so much more. Whether you are a servicemember or someone interested in how the U.S. military will be able to stay in the fight should a war break out in the Indo-Pacific, this episode is a must-listen. Image: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarb
The Puzzling Diplomacy over Ukraine's Future
Nothing about the war in Ukraine is simple — including the diplomacy, which might be even messier than the battlefield. Michael Kofman, Justin Logan (Cato), and Liana Fix (the Council on Foreign Relations) joined Ryan to help him understand the negotiations underway about Ukraine’s fate. From the minerals deal to Zelensky’s approach to Trump to the prospects for a European peacekeeping force, they cover it all, and have a few friendly arguments along the way. Image: Ukrainian Presidency
"We Stand with Free People" — U.K. Security & Strategy with Tom Tugendhat - War on the Rocks
Member of U.K. Parliament and military veteran Tom Tugendhat was recently in Washington and was kind enough to join Ryan for a short but weighty conversation. Tugendhat chaired the Foreign Affairs Select Committee between 2017 and 2022 and then served in the previous government as minister of state for security.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ryan
Contact Ryan, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack