War on the Rocks

The Velocity Gap Between Pakistan and India In contemporary South Asian crises, velocity matters more than military power. Velocity means how fast responsibility is assigned, actions are authorized,

India’s challenge is not greater aggression but greater timeliness. Without faster parallel processing of attribution, authorization, and outreach, military success may come too late to matter.

Israel is fighting on multiple fronts as strikes with Iran intensify and Hezbollah reenters the fray. What comes next could reshape the region. (Members Only)

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The Burden That Should Not Be Theirs: How Congress Turned the Military into the Last Check on Illegal War Congress has unintentionally shifted the burden of preventing an unconstitutional war squarely onto the military. By failing to exercise its war powers,

Democrats on the Hill say the U.S. military should refuse illegal orders. They might be right on the law, according to this former Air Force lawyer, but it's not that simple. Not even close.

In Brief: Increasing Tensions Between China and Japan Create Risks for the Region Tensions between China and Japan have been heating up in recent months, sparked in November by a statement from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Military activity, economic coercion, and nationalist sentiment are all in play as China and Japan spar. Where could this trajectory lead? (Members Only)

The Velocity Gap Between Pakistan and India In contemporary South Asian crises, velocity matters more than military power. Velocity means how fast responsibility is assigned, actions are authorized,

India may hold conventional superiority, but structural delays can blunt that advantage. In limited wars, timing and synchronization increasingly determine who retains leverage.

Twice Bombed, Still Nuclear: The Limits of Force Against Iran’s Atomic Program On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated but separately named military campaigns against Iran — the United States under Operation

Can military force in Iran succeed against Iran's atomic program where diplomacy did not?

Missed Signals and Middle East Shockwaves Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members.

In Ukraine, the war is fought on more than one front. This week’s arguments show how much is at stake beyond the battlefield.

Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy got some serious nautical miles under its belt during the first year of this administration, with combat operations from the Caribbean to

From maintenance backlogs to drone swarms, the Navy’s latest strategy confronts hard truths about readiness and risk. Writing the plan was the easy part.

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The key question now is whether the Iranian regime can survive. If U.S. or Israeli forces sustain an aerial presence to target repressive forces, it could shape what follows. (Members Only)

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As the war widens, Hizballah has stepped in alongside Tehran. The risks are multiplying across the region. (Members Only)


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A Proxy Without a Purpose: Hizballah and the Iran Crisis What use to Iran is Hizballah in the event of all-out war against the regime? In principle, a great deal. In practice, not so much. The ongoing U.S. and

In practice, "what use to Iran is Hizballah in the event of all-out war against the regime?" ask Faysal Itani and Dania F. Arayssi.

The Deluge, the Paper Cup, and Washington’s Lack of Urgency on Guam As I conclude nearly four decades of military and public service, including as lieutenant governor of Guam, a line from the 1986 Crowded House song “Don’t

Homeland defense looks different from 6,000 miles away. On Guam, it is immediate.

Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy got some serious nautical miles under its belt during the first year of this administration, with combat operations from the Caribbean to

Adm. Daryl Caudle has laid out a hedge strategy built on foundry, fleet, and fight. Whether it reshapes the Navy or joins a shelf of unrealized reforms depends on follow-through.

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Get exclusive insights from Michael Kofman on The Russia Contingency and Afshon Ostovar on The Iran Reckoning: only for War on the Rocks members. Join today.

Missed Signals and Middle East Shockwaves Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members.

Four years after the invasion, consensus is hard to find. Ukrainian voices are openly challenging the path forward. (Members Only)

Cogs of War Our dedicated vertical on defense tech & industry, brought to you by an epic partnership between War on the Rocks & Booz Allen Hamilton. National security is inextricably linked to technological prowess, talent, and industrial capacity. We aim to leverage deep expertise and thought leadership to foster the most substantive, impactful conversation possible.

If you’re working where defense meets innovation, @Cogs0fWar is for you. Follow our dedicated vertical on defense technology and industrial base issues for cutting-edge analysis.

Innovation, irreverence, and responsibility all start with one thing: taking care of airmen so they can take care of the mission. (Members Only)


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NATO has survived crises before. Today’s tensions between Europe and the United States are testing the alliance in new ways. (Members Only)

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Iran’s war is reshaping the politics of the Persian Gulf. The region’s closest neighbors now face choices they hoped to avoid. (Members Only)

Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...

The Burden That Should Not Be Theirs: How Congress Turned the Military into the Last Check on Illegal War Congress has unintentionally shifted the burden of preventing an unconstitutional war squarely onto the military. By failing to exercise its war powers,

A dangerous expectation is growing in Washington: that the military will stop unconstitutional wars if Congress won’t. A law professor and retired Air Force officer weighs in.

How to Contribute to Cogs of War Cogs of War is our dedicated vertical on defense technology and defense industrial base issues produced in partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton. Read on

If you have something to say about defense technology and industry, we want your voice. Contribute to @Cogs0fWar and shape the debate.

What Recent Military Operations Signal About Trump’s Grand Strategy In his 2025 article, “Start Making Sense, Strategy and Grand Strategy in the Trump Administration,” Joshua Rovner argued Trump’s flexible approach to a

Some thoughts in @warontherocks.bsky.social on Trump's grand strategy after Iran warontherocks.com/2026/03/what...

The Velocity Gap Between Pakistan and India In contemporary South Asian crises, velocity matters more than military power. Velocity means how fast responsibility is assigned, actions are authorized,

India’s challenge is not greater aggression but greater timeliness. Without faster parallel processing of attribution, authorization, and outreach, military success may come too late to matter.

Membership War On The Rocks Platinum An All-Access Pass to War on the Rocks What Our Members Are Saying “I’ve been a member since 2016. War on the Rocks is a melting

Your insider access to world-class national security content. Premium experience starts with War on the Rocks.

Israel is fighting on multiple fronts as strikes with Iran intensify and Hezbollah reenters the fray. What comes next could reshape the region. (Members Only)

Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...

The Burden That Should Not Be Theirs: How Congress Turned the Military into the Last Check on Illegal War Congress has unintentionally shifted the burden of preventing an unconstitutional war squarely onto the military. By failing to exercise its war powers,

Democrats on the Hill say the U.S. military should refuse illegal orders. They might be right on the law, according to this former Air Force lawyer, but it's not that simple. Not even close.

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New today for War on the Rocks members:

In Brief: Increasing Tensions Between China and Japan Create Risks for the Region

What Makes the Air Force Unique?

Israel at War on Multiple Fronts warontherocks.com/ca...