Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022
Episode 23: Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022 – Implications for the Changing Character of War | The Trident Podcast by U.S. Naval War College
Description
Guest Dr. John Pennell and co-host Dr. Heidi Lane join Dave Brown to discuss Pennell’s book Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022, which examines Russia’s broader approach to war—one that blends political warfare, military force, influence operations, and strategic intent.
Co-Host/Guests:
Heidi Elizabeth Lane, Ph.D. is a professor of strategy and policy and director of the Greater Middle East Research Study Group at U.S. Naval War College. She specializes in comparative politics and international relations of the Middle East with a focus on security sector development, ethnic and religious nationalism, counter-terrorism and rule of law in transitioning societies.
John A. Pennell, Ph.D. is a former U.S. Senior Foreign Service Officer (Minister-Counselor rank) with wide experience in global security. Currently, he’s a contractor with the U.S. Department of War’s (DOW) Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) as Editor-in-Chief of PRISM: The Journal of Complex Operations. He’s also a Non-Resident Fellow with the Irregular Warfare Institute (IWI) and a Senior Fellow with Narrative-Strategies. John holds degrees in War & Defense Studies from King’s College London, the National War College and American University. He’s a lifetime member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and Information Professionals Association (IPA). His book on Russia’s irregular warfare activities in Syria and Ukraine is available from Bloomsbury, Amazon, Waterstones, etc. or on his website at www.drglobalbedouin.com.
Articles/References:
Episode Length: 1:17:16
File Size: 177 MB
File Format: MP3
Release Date: 2-10-2026
Keywords:
U.S. Naval War College, Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups, CIWAG, Irregular Warfare, IW, Trident, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Character of War, Nature of War, Hybrid Warfare, Colin Gray, Six Contexts of War, Political Context, Strategic Context, Social-Cultural Context, Economic Context, Technological Context, Geographical Context, Military-Technical Revolution, MTR, Revolution in Military Affairs, RMA, Military Transformation, Political Warfare, Influence Operations, Armed Conflict, Kinetic Warfare, Non-Kinetic Warfare, Information Operations, Political Manipulation, Economic Pressure, Proxies, Social-Cultural Proximity, Expeditionary Warfare
Recommended Citation
Brown, Dave, “Episode 23: Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022 – Implications for the Changing Character of War” (2026). The Trident Podcast. 23. https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/the-trident/23
