Brian Kerg
@briankerg.bsky.social
Writer | Atlantic Council Fellow | Military Writers Guild Board Member | Irregular Warfare Initiative alumnus| Naval Institute Editorial Board alumnus | Krulak Center alumnus | Pacific Forum alumnus | School of Advanced Warfighting alumnus | Views My Own
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Brian Kerg
@briankerg.bsky.social
· Jul 10
South Korea is the ideal anchor for the first island chain
Discussion of the first island chain largely overlooks South Korea, an ideal "anchor" that could prove decisive in a US-China conflict involving Taiwan.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
My latest for the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
BLUF: Peninsular stability is linked directly to Taiwan Strait stability. Military planners should approach the simultaneous threats of the #PRC and #DPRK with this fact in mind. #WriteFightWin
www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-res...
BLUF: Peninsular stability is linked directly to Taiwan Strait stability. Military planners should approach the simultaneous threats of the #PRC and #DPRK with this fact in mind. #WriteFightWin
www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-res...
The sound you here is a thousand analysts scrambling to name the next Davidson window.
Welp.
January 26, 2026 at 8:28 PM
The sound you here is a thousand analysts scrambling to name the next Davidson window.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
This is 20 years of COIN manifesting in ways that only we have eyes to see.
BREAKING: The Minnesota National Guard is handing out coffee and donuts to Anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis, after governor Tim Walz called them in to help out.
The good guys!
The good guys!
January 26, 2026 at 12:51 AM
This is 20 years of COIN manifesting in ways that only we have eyes to see.
Correction: Between a Navy SEAL and a book deal.
Most dangerous place in the world is between a Marine and a camera...
January 25, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Correction: Between a Navy SEAL and a book deal.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
Marines and iconic photos with old glory, name a more iconic duo
January 25, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Marines and iconic photos with old glory, name a more iconic duo
Reposted by Brian Kerg
💯. We treated enemy combatants - who may have been very recently trying to violently kill us - with a level of restraint and professionalism that appears to be beyond the imagination of a federal law enforcement organization handling non-violent American citizens.
So I always like to go "What would have happened had a Marine done this in Afghanistan" and it's so obvious in this case as to make the exercise moot.
January 24, 2026 at 6:56 PM
💯. We treated enemy combatants - who may have been very recently trying to violently kill us - with a level of restraint and professionalism that appears to be beyond the imagination of a federal law enforcement organization handling non-violent American citizens.
On this episode of @cimsec.bsky.social #SeaControl, I host Dr. Elsa Kania to discuss her in-depth research of Chinese Command and Control.
To understand how the #CCP commands the #PLA, and how the #PLA command its forces, give this episode a listen! #WriteFightWin
open.spotify.com/episode/1xQc...
To understand how the #CCP commands the #PLA, and how the #PLA command its forces, give this episode a listen! #WriteFightWin
open.spotify.com/episode/1xQc...
January 23, 2026 at 12:46 AM
On this episode of @cimsec.bsky.social #SeaControl, I host Dr. Elsa Kania to discuss her in-depth research of Chinese Command and Control.
To understand how the #CCP commands the #PLA, and how the #PLA command its forces, give this episode a listen! #WriteFightWin
open.spotify.com/episode/1xQc...
To understand how the #CCP commands the #PLA, and how the #PLA command its forces, give this episode a listen! #WriteFightWin
open.spotify.com/episode/1xQc...
Reposted by Brian Kerg
This reminds me of one of my favorite stories. During a Javelin Thrust in Yuma one year, we brought two Navajo Code Talkers out to talk to the comm Marines about doing the job in WW2, get a brief on modern comm gear, and so we could ensure we still had Marines who could say they shook their hands.
I really dislike this leftie tendency to use all of the horrible crimes this country has committed as proof that the country is irredeemable, when the people who fought against it often did so *as Americans* because it implies they were a bunch of stupid fucking rubes
January 22, 2026 at 4:20 PM
This reminds me of one of my favorite stories. During a Javelin Thrust in Yuma one year, we brought two Navajo Code Talkers out to talk to the comm Marines about doing the job in WW2, get a brief on modern comm gear, and so we could ensure we still had Marines who could say they shook their hands.
Apparently, the only folks fighting in a war over #Taiwan are the #PRC and the #US. Taiwan is not accounted for. And the US is slinging munitions from #Japan and the #Philippines, yet neither of those MDT allies is participating in this war.
static.heritage.org/-2025/SR324_...
static.heritage.org/-2025/SR324_...
January 21, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Apparently, the only folks fighting in a war over #Taiwan are the #PRC and the #US. Taiwan is not accounted for. And the US is slinging munitions from #Japan and the #Philippines, yet neither of those MDT allies is participating in this war.
static.heritage.org/-2025/SR324_...
static.heritage.org/-2025/SR324_...
To help my Marines get the demons out, and to compel them to compete across all forms of combatives that reside within the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, your favorite Marine comms squadron is starting a competitive sparring tournament appropriately titled #Thunderdome.
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 AM
To help my Marines get the demons out, and to compel them to compete across all forms of combatives that reside within the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, your favorite Marine comms squadron is starting a competitive sparring tournament appropriately titled #Thunderdome.
"Chat, depict the European Union firing the Trade Bazooka at the United States."
January 21, 2026 at 12:01 AM
"Chat, depict the European Union firing the Trade Bazooka at the United States."
💯. American service-members are not the elected representatives of the American people.
If you want different policy, vote for different people.
If you want different policy, vote for different people.
My main problem with this line of thinking is the trend of Americans putting everything on the backs of service members.
Don’t want to fight a war in Iraq / Afghanistan you once overwhelmingly supported? Service members.
Don’t want a war Congress is too weak to rein in? Service members.
Don’t want to fight a war in Iraq / Afghanistan you once overwhelmingly supported? Service members.
Don’t want a war Congress is too weak to rein in? Service members.
January 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM
💯. American service-members are not the elected representatives of the American people.
If you want different policy, vote for different people.
If you want different policy, vote for different people.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
It’s come to this: “Catholic members of the US armed forces could in good conscience consider disobeying orders to attack Greenland if such orders were issued, according to Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the bishop responsible for the pastoral care of US military personnel.”
Military archbishop: Troops could refuse orders on Greenland
Speaking to Britain's Sunday program on BBC, Archbishop Timothy Broglio reiterated that conscience could permit refusal of an unjust military order.
aleteia.org
January 20, 2026 at 1:24 AM
It’s come to this: “Catholic members of the US armed forces could in good conscience consider disobeying orders to attack Greenland if such orders were issued, according to Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the bishop responsible for the pastoral care of US military personnel.”
Brugge Brasserie in Indianapolis. Amazing mussels, frites, crepes, and beer. It straddled the Monon Rail Trail in Broad Ripple so you could pop right back out into one of the liveliest parts of town. Took my whole family there right after returning from Afghanistan.
January 19, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Brugge Brasserie in Indianapolis. Amazing mussels, frites, crepes, and beer. It straddled the Monon Rail Trail in Broad Ripple so you could pop right back out into one of the liveliest parts of town. Took my whole family there right after returning from Afghanistan.
Smoke Pit, Nangarhar Province Limited Edition.
Sometimes I miss this like I miss my first car.
Then I remember my first car only started half the time and died forever on me at a stoplight.
Sometimes I miss this like I miss my first car.
Then I remember my first car only started half the time and died forever on me at a stoplight.
January 18, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Smoke Pit, Nangarhar Province Limited Edition.
Sometimes I miss this like I miss my first car.
Then I remember my first car only started half the time and died forever on me at a stoplight.
Sometimes I miss this like I miss my first car.
Then I remember my first car only started half the time and died forever on me at a stoplight.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
I have driven warships through East China Sea fishing fleets. They absolutely can be used to disrupt freedom of navigation. I’ve had “fishing vessels” intentionally drive at my ship with the intention to collide (CBDR). This person has no idea what they’re talking about.
If you want to know what level of hysterical delusion US liberal imperialists are on, take a look at this: Chinese fishing boats *could be used* to disrupt American Navy movements in the South China Sea. It does not get any dumber than this. NYT China desk one of the worst around.
Driving through East China Sea fishing fleets was already one of the most challenging tasks for a ship driver, now this… www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 18, 2026 at 6:29 PM
I have driven warships through East China Sea fishing fleets. They absolutely can be used to disrupt freedom of navigation. I’ve had “fishing vessels” intentionally drive at my ship with the intention to collide (CBDR). This person has no idea what they’re talking about.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
my new piece in FP: The US keeps telling people to rise up against their regimes, then leaving them to die. Hungary, Iraq, Syria...now Iran? I try to offer an explanation for this very consistent pattern. (gift link) foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/16/t...
A Long History of Betrayal
Why Washington keeps encouraging foreign uprisings—and then walking away.
foreignpolicy.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:36 PM
my new piece in FP: The US keeps telling people to rise up against their regimes, then leaving them to die. Hungary, Iraq, Syria...now Iran? I try to offer an explanation for this very consistent pattern. (gift link) foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/16/t...
My latest in #MarineCorps Gazette: "Digging is Winning."
BLUF: Our above ground CPs in Okinawa are sitting targets. Friendly IADS can't interdict PLA precision fires targeting them at scale. We gotta go underground.
Below posts contain the remaining pages - give it a look! #WriteFightWin
BLUF: Our above ground CPs in Okinawa are sitting targets. Friendly IADS can't interdict PLA precision fires targeting them at scale. We gotta go underground.
Below posts contain the remaining pages - give it a look! #WriteFightWin
January 16, 2026 at 5:22 PM
My latest in #MarineCorps Gazette: "Digging is Winning."
BLUF: Our above ground CPs in Okinawa are sitting targets. Friendly IADS can't interdict PLA precision fires targeting them at scale. We gotta go underground.
Below posts contain the remaining pages - give it a look! #WriteFightWin
BLUF: Our above ground CPs in Okinawa are sitting targets. Friendly IADS can't interdict PLA precision fires targeting them at scale. We gotta go underground.
Below posts contain the remaining pages - give it a look! #WriteFightWin
A superb piece rich in naval history with contemporary operational and budgetary implications. If you need to help others understand why committing resources to battleships isn't operationally or financially feasible, point them to this article:
I have thoughts about the recent announcement that the US Navy will build battleships once more. @warontherocks.bsky.social was kind enough to publish them.
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
Why the U.S. Navy Doesn’t Build Battleships Anymore
On Apr. 7, 1945, aircraft from the U.S. Navy’s fast carrier task force sank the largest battleship ever built, the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Yamato.
warontherocks.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
A superb piece rich in naval history with contemporary operational and budgetary implications. If you need to help others understand why committing resources to battleships isn't operationally or financially feasible, point them to this article:
English speakers who picked up some Mandarin in the DC area - what programs do you recommend?
Context: Assuming I end up chasing a PhD in the NCR, I'll have about three years to get basic proficiency. This will align with my long term professional goals, but personal ones as well. What works?
Context: Assuming I end up chasing a PhD in the NCR, I'll have about three years to get basic proficiency. This will align with my long term professional goals, but personal ones as well. What works?
January 12, 2026 at 2:29 AM
English speakers who picked up some Mandarin in the DC area - what programs do you recommend?
Context: Assuming I end up chasing a PhD in the NCR, I'll have about three years to get basic proficiency. This will align with my long term professional goals, but personal ones as well. What works?
Context: Assuming I end up chasing a PhD in the NCR, I'll have about three years to get basic proficiency. This will align with my long term professional goals, but personal ones as well. What works?
Drawing your weapon is an escalation of force.
Pointing your weapon at someone is a graver escalation of force.
It is used only when the possibility of engaging a deadly threat is imminent.
This is the standard for Amercan LEOs and military service-members.
This is the standard for America.
Pointing your weapon at someone is a graver escalation of force.
It is used only when the possibility of engaging a deadly threat is imminent.
This is the standard for Amercan LEOs and military service-members.
This is the standard for America.
The Minneapolis pastor had observed "ICE agents circling a young woman who appeared to be Hispanic" and insisted they take him instead of harassing her. An agent then “came, got in my face, pointed a gun at me, and said, ‘Are you afraid now?’” trib.al/kv6rA7r
January 11, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Drawing your weapon is an escalation of force.
Pointing your weapon at someone is a graver escalation of force.
It is used only when the possibility of engaging a deadly threat is imminent.
This is the standard for Amercan LEOs and military service-members.
This is the standard for America.
Pointing your weapon at someone is a graver escalation of force.
It is used only when the possibility of engaging a deadly threat is imminent.
This is the standard for Amercan LEOs and military service-members.
This is the standard for America.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
In 2011-12, I was in absolute awe at the level of restraint my Marines demonstrated daily with Sangin’s residents given the district’s history and reputation.
January 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM
In 2011-12, I was in absolute awe at the level of restraint my Marines demonstrated daily with Sangin’s residents given the district’s history and reputation.
Just some bangers from the COIN Manual that informed so many of our experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The level of restraint we expect from our soldiers and Marines, even in a COIN environment, is remarkable.
Such professionalism should be expected of every American we trust to bear arms.
The level of restraint we expect from our soldiers and Marines, even in a COIN environment, is remarkable.
Such professionalism should be expected of every American we trust to bear arms.
January 9, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Just some bangers from the COIN Manual that informed so many of our experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The level of restraint we expect from our soldiers and Marines, even in a COIN environment, is remarkable.
Such professionalism should be expected of every American we trust to bear arms.
The level of restraint we expect from our soldiers and Marines, even in a COIN environment, is remarkable.
Such professionalism should be expected of every American we trust to bear arms.
Reposted by Brian Kerg
RIGHT NOW in 1776, the Continental Navy and Marines are sailing to Nassau where in March they will capture a British outpost and supplies. Also rum.
They’re flying the Gadsen Flag.
They’re flying the Gadsen Flag.
January 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM
RIGHT NOW in 1776, the Continental Navy and Marines are sailing to Nassau where in March they will capture a British outpost and supplies. Also rum.
They’re flying the Gadsen Flag.
They’re flying the Gadsen Flag.