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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · 1d

Insightful analysis of Russia’s breaking point by Ben Connable. Despite a record of sacrifice and fatalism, history suggests key vulnerabilities that are also in play for Russia today. As Ben also notes, much will also depends on our own resolve. warontherocks.com/2024/09/russ...

Russians Do Break: Historical and Cultural Context for a Prospective Ukrainian Victory

For major wars like the one being fought between Russia and Ukraine, the military, the people, and the state interact with one another to constitute a

warontherocks.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · 18d

SITREP from Colombia: tremendous economic potential, long tradition of democracy and yet struggling as always with security and governance beyond the big cities. On that front, matters have worsened since the FARC peace deal.

economist.com/the-americas...

Is Colombia at the “gates of hell”?

Opposing candidates in next year’s presidential election hold wildly divergent views of their country

economist.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · 18d

Good to see Moldova taking proactive measures to counter Russian disinformation and agitation. www.euronews.com/2025/09/22/m...

Moldova detains 74 over alleged Russian plot to stir up unrest

Online disinformation aimed at discrediting Moldova's pro-European government is ramping up ahead of the crunch parliamentary elections on 28 September.

www.euronews.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Sep 4

Perhaps living in Brussels made me particularly interested in this Rest is History series on the invasion of Belgium in 1914. Educational and enthralling, this is also relevant to the war in Ukraine and the prospect of further conflict in Europe in years to come.
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

The First World War: The Invasion of Belgium (Part 1)

Podcast Episode · The Rest Is History · 24/08/2025 · 56m

podcasts.apple.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 19

Austin Long provides important clarity on the Able Archer nuclear “non-crisis” of 1983. Held by some as a whisker away from Armageddon, the moment illustrates instead the need to understand both ourselves - the signals we send - and our enemy. strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/able-arche...

Able Archer 83 (Re)-revisited

Reflections on a Complex Non-crisis

strategicsimplicity.substack.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 18

Drawing on his experience with FARC, David Spencer has penned a superb review of my book 'The Insurgent's Dilemma', exploring the innovations in insurgent strategy and response options that the book covers. Many thanks. digitalcommons.ndu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 17

Podcast: @markgaleotti.bsky.social dissects how a seemingly mundane counter-gang arrest in a provincial Russian capital has escalated the fall-out between Moscow and Baku - and there may be more to come…

inmoscowsshadows.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...

In Moscow's Shadows 207: What Is Going On Between Baku and Moscow? - In Moscow's Shadows

In one corner, Azerbaijan's Ilhan Aliev, in the other, Russia's Vladimir Putin, two autocrats locked in an increasingly acrimonious political conflict sparked by, of all things, the arrest of some gan...

inmoscowsshadows.buzzsprout.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 17

Second, we propose an analytical framework, designed for irregular warfare, to aid practitioners in their assessment of, and their response to, organized crime. Hopefully of use to practitioners, educators, and academics. An abbreviated “user’s guide” in Appendix A facilitates its rapid employment.

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 17

This book is based on the urgent need for a more effective response to organized crime. Its does two things. First, it applies an “irregular warfare” lens to the problem of organized crime, which helps situate the divergent criminal activity within its crucial political context.

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jul 17

NOW OUT: A Framework for Countering Organized Crime: Strategy, Planning, and the Lessons of Irregular Warfare, by David H. Ucko and Thomas A Marks (NDU Press).

Available in full at: ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/N...

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Jun 4

Excellent discussion of Europe’s security and defence landscape with @edarnold.bsky.social, RUSI, via the great Modern War Institute at West Point podcast. Very relevant to #NATO. open.spotify.com/episode/7MSk...

A Survey of Europe's Defense and Security Landscape

Modern War Institute · Episode

open.spotify.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · May 8

UPDATE: entire manuscript availabe here: drive.google.com/file/d/1EJ1_...

كتاب صياغة استراتيجية للحرب غير النظامية ).pdf

drive.google.com

David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · May 6

يا للروعة
I’m now available in Arabic, thanks to the Saudi National Defense University. They have translated our “Crafting Strategy for Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Analysis and Action” (w/ Tom Marks, NDU Press)! I’m hopeful this will further extend the impact of this practioner’s toolkit.

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · May 6

Excellent news. Less excellent: “In total, the EU spent an estimated €23 billion on Russian fossil fuels in 2024, exceeding the military support provided to Ukraine.”

www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

EU sets 2027 as deadline to phase out all Russian fuels, including LNG

Imports of Russian oil, gas and nuclear materials must stop by 2027 at the very latest, Brussels has proposed in a new ambitious strategy. #EuropeNews

www.euronews.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 17

On the cover, see en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apaches...

Thanks to SOC ACE Research Programme for sponsoring this work.

Out later this year, courtesy of NDU Press.

Apaches (subculture) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 17

Glad to announce that my latest work, “A Framework for Countering Organized Crime: Strategy, Planning and the Lessons of Irregular Warfare,” now has a cover. Co-authored with Tom Marks, it presents organized crime as an IW problem and proposes a framework to help with analysis and response.

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 16

Good reporting on Iran’s use of criminal groups to exert influence abroad, specifically in Europe. The tactic is old; our response is… getting better. Much like Russia’s subversion, the problem isn’t just the singular attack but the broader strategy. newlinesmag.com/spotlight/ho....

How Iran Is Weaponizing Europe’s Criminal Underworld

Tehran is turning violent networks like Sweden’s Foxtrot and Ireland’s Kinahan cartel into tools of covert statecraft

newlinesmag.com

David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 2

My chapter deals with ‘war as risk management’ and I only regret I could not discuss it with Christopher—I know the exchange would have been thought-provoking and enjoyable. Kudos to the editors for putting this together.

David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 2

Very meaningful for me to contribute to this Festschrift for Christopher Coker, my mentor and friend for many years who sadly passed in 2023. www.hurstpublishers.com/book/coker-o...

Coker on War | Hurst Publishers

A homage to the late, great scholar of war, exploring his considerable legacy and engaging with questions of conflict and strategy in the same spirit.

www.hurstpublishers.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Apr 2

Effective speech by Mark Rutte on the NATO today and tomorrow: a stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance. This is a potent message to those who wonder about NATO and the commitment to trans-Atlantic security. www.nato.int/cps/en/natoh...

Speech by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte followed by moderated discussion at the Warsaw School of Economics

(As delivered)

www.nato.int

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Mar 26

Job opening: A crucial opportunity to lead NATO defence policy and planning at a crucial time for the Alliance (…and you get to be my boss!) www.globaljobs.org/jobs/46638-b...

Assistant Secretary General Defence Policy and Planning job in Brussels, Belgium

www.globaljobs.org

David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Mar 13

Gavin Esler interviews Klaus Dodds on Arctic geopolitics. Insightful and informed discussion. open.spotify.com/episode/65CW...

Trump’s Greenland grab – A great power contest in the Arctic?

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler · Episode

open.spotify.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Mar 6

Insightful podcast with Stephen Kotkin that will probably anger both fans and detractors of America’s recent shifts on Ukraine—and the world. That in itself makes it worth a listen.
open.spotify.com/episode/4r61...

Ep 180: Stephen Kotkin on Endgames in Ukraine

School of War · Episode

open.spotify.com

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Feb 25

Insightful book review of my “The Insurgent’s Dilemma” by Maj. Travis Peet for the Australian Army Research Centre. Captures the state equivalents of the non-state strategies I explore—a key area of convergence. Many thanks.
researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social

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David Ucko @ucko.bsky.social · Feb 19

TX Hammes offers compellling take on the need to adapt for modern warfare. As Hammes has long argued, and as Ukraine bears out, it’s time to move from the “few and exquisite” capabilities to the “small, smart, and many”. www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-seri...

Small, smart, many and cheaper: Competitive adaptation in modern warfare

T.X. Hammes reflects on the growing role of cheap and adaptable technologies in fighting the wars of tomorrow.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

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