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Articles by Steve Ferenzi
Crouching Panda, Hidden Dragon: Contesting Chinese Subversion
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) presents itself as a gentle panda to obfuscate its global predatory behavior. But hiding inside the PRC’s panda suit is a dragon seeking to prey on the Central Region as a core political and economic axis for its neocolonial aspirations. Unfortunately, the singular U.S. focus on Taiwan enables the PRC to capture global strategic geography and human terrain beyond the Indo-Pacific, specifically through its Belt and Road Initiative.
Crouching Panda, Hidden Dragon: Contesting Chinese Subversion in the Middle East and Central Asia
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) presents itself as a gentle panda to obfuscate its global predatory behavior. But hiding inside the PRC’s panda suit is a dragon seeking to prey on the Central Region as a core political and economic axis for its neocolonial aspirations. Unfortunately, the singular U.S. focus on Taiwan enables the PRC to capture global strategic geography and human terrain beyond the Indo-Pacific, specifically through its Belt and Road Initiative.
Three Ways to Improve Integrated Deterrence
Curbing Chinese and Russian ambitions while advancing the U.S. vision for an open, inclusive international system requires more than just adding “integrated” in front of deterrence. In their quest to remake the global order, Vladimir Putin is ravaging Ukraine while Xi Jinping is threatening to do the same to Taiwan. Does this already signify the end of the “integrated deterrence” that is central to President Joe Biden’s military approach to China and the new 2022 National Defense Strategy?
Integrating Deterrence Across the Gray -
Much over the course of the past year has been said (and re-said) about “integrated deterrence.” From our point of view, deterrence is fundamentally about shaping adversary decision calculus which requires, inter alia, communication. Communication is about messaging and perceptions. Yet, in today’s discussions on integrated deterrence, we are losing sight of this important relationship.
Integrating deterrence across the gray - making it more than words
Much over the course of the past year has been said (and re-said) about “integrated deterrence.” From our point of view, deterrence is fundamentally about shaping adversary decision calculus which requires, inter alia, communication. Communication is about messaging and perceptions. Yet, in today’s discussions on integrated deterrence, we are losing sight of this important relationship.
Overmatch by other means: integrating Irregular Warfare into Joint Force Wargaming
Steve Ferenzi, Christopher J. Hickey, and Christopher Hossfeld 6 minutes ago Members of Lithuania’s National Volunteer Defence Force (KASP) and Bulgarian Special Operations Forces perform a medical evacuation during exercise Saber Junction at Bogen Local Training Area, Bogen, Germany, 2018 September 25, 2018.
An Irregular Upgrade to Operational Design
Irregular warfare is an enduring, economical contribution to America’s national security, and will remain an essential core competency of the U.S. Department of Defense. – Summary of the Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy Operational design — the analytical framework that underpins U.S. military planning — has a relevance problem.
The Death of Critical Thinking in the Military?
The Death of Critical Thinking in the Military?
The Death of Critical Thinking in the Military? Here’s How to Fix It.
Traditional American military culture diametrically opposes divergent thought. Despite assertions that the United States must compete in the “most complex and volatile” security environment in recent memory, the military largely handicaps its own mental approach to victory. Being able to actually compete and win requires the military to elevate critical thinking as a core competency of its profession – from top to bottom.
We Need to Reorganize More than the Military
Steve Ferenzi & Keith Weber Defense One August 18, 2020 (Ramil Sitdikov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) A strong United States military is necessary, but insufficient to meet the truly global response to China and Russia that is needed today. And simply reorganizing within the military is not the solution.
We Need to Reorganize More than the Military
A strong United States military is necessary, but insufficient to meet the truly global response to China and Russia that is needed today. And simply reorganizing within the military is not the solution. To stay ahead in the 21st century, the United States needs to think well outside of the Pentagon and create new interagency and integrated regional commands that are guided from the top by a China-Russia Task Force in the National Security Council at the White House.
Unconventional Deterrence in Europe: The Role of Army Special Operations in Competition Today
The Problem: Russian New Generation Warfare Russia’s aggressive actions in Georgia, Crimea, and Ukraine highlight its ability to quickly achieve escalation dominance along its frontier through the employment of new generation warfare and reflexive control. Russia occupied sovereign Georgian territory, quickly annexed Crimea, and supports proxy separatists in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine—subverting Western interests without triggering a war with NATO.
How to Win an Asymmetric War in the Era of Special Forces
Imagine a military force that could prevail against America’s adversaries in great-power competition without going to war. As the specifics of “competition” with China and Russia continue to vex national leaders down to tactical military formations, new times call for new approaches to secure America’s national interests. United States Army special operations forces should be the force of choice to lead these efforts against adversaries that deliberately avoid America’s conventional strengths.
Want to Build a Better Proxy in Syria? Lessons from Tibet
Will Washington abandon its rebel proxies in Syria? Outsourcing ground operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to Syrian rebels has become the preferred option to secure national security objectives in the country. But it carries the weight of significant moral hazard and has already created a series of political embarrassments for President Obama’s administration.
Proxy Blowback in the Revolutionary War? The Curious Story of Jane McCrae and the Battle of Saratoga
Historians consider the Battle of Saratoga one of the fifteen most decisive battles in world history and a turning point in the American War of Independence. As the fireworks, parades, and drinking subside after this year’s celebration of our nation’s founding, it is sobering to reflect on the true nature of this struggle against Britain: insurgency.
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