The Bazaar of War

War at Stand-Off Range: Thinking About the Iran Conflict

As the fighting in Iran nears four weeks, it is worth looking at the dynamics of the conflict thus far.

Mar 25

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Strategic Width: The Broad Horizons of Strategic Decision-Making

“But governing oneself by examples is undoubtedly very dangerous in similar circumstances if the conditions do not correspond, not only in general but…

Mar 21

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The School of Strategy, the Art of Amateurs

No two heads of state could be more dissimilar in ambitions or temperament than Abraham Lincoln and Louis XIV.

Mar 9

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February 2026

The Contest for the Indian Ocean, Part 1: The Struggle for Influence

From 1746 to 1783, France, Britain, and their Indian allies engaged in a massive struggle for control of the Indian Ocean.

Feb 27

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Against Abstraction: Military Theory and Clarity of Thought

It is difficult to appreciate just how much Western—especially American—military thinking is pervaded with abstraction.

Feb 13

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Interview on Saladin with Memory Medieval

I was recently a guest on the Memory Medieval podcast, talking about Saladin as part of his ongoing series on Richard the Lionheart.

Feb 9

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Triumph of the Byzantine System: The Arab-Byzantine Frontier Pt. 3

By the time of Byzantium's triumph in the 10th century, it had developed a systematic approach to campaigning which formalized methods from earlier…

Feb 1

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January 2026

Swarms, Packs, and Stigmergy: Animal Analogs for Drone Behavior

“Drone swarm” is a phrase that has come to be used indiscriminately to refer to the high number of drones on the modern battlefield.

Jan 22

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Looking for Lessons in Venezuela: The Future Combat Role of Helicopters

The 3 January operation to capture Nicolás Maduro is striking for its use of manned helicopters to execute a high-risk mission, despite the presence of…

Jan 15

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December 2025

Book Discussion on The Spartan Regime: Its Character, Origins, and Grand Strategy

Paul Rahe’s The Spartan Regime: Its Character, Origins, and Grand Strategy takes a unique angle on grand strategy.

Dec 31, 2025

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The Patterns of Operational Dynamics: A Brief Typology

One of my favorite themes with The Bazaar of War is how certain operational dynamics recur across vastly different times and places: comparing the…

Dec 21, 2025

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Economics vs. Decision: The Two Logics of Warfare

There is plenty of overlap between economics and warfare.

Dec 11, 2025

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