Cyber warfare’s operational model creates distinctive human costs: operators can conduct missions against adversaries worldwide, return home the same day, and be recalled hours later without any physi
The article argues that AI should be integrated into wargaming, but in a more scientific and controlled way. The authors describe a wargame between two nuclear-armed states, Red and Blue, in a border
A Rulebook for Surprises: Commanding Autonomous Aircraft
news
warontherocks.com
IrregularChat: AI & Autonomy
Sep 2
The article argues that the U.S. Air Force needs a new kind of manual for operators of agentic autonomous systems, especially Collaborative Combat Aircraft, because traditional aircraft procedures are
Stop Commanding AI. Start Understanding Mission Command.
news
justinmc.substack.com
IrregularChat: AI & Autonomy
Sep 1
The piece critiques a War on the Rocks article arguing that the Pentagon should use open-weight AI models and direct them with “mission command”-style orders. The author says this idea rests on a shal
Stop Using AI. Start Commanding It
news
warontherocks.com
IrregularChat: AI & Autonomy
Aug 31
The piece argues that the Department of Defense should stop viewing AI agents as mere productivity tools and instead treat them as subordinate forces to be commanded under mission command principles.
AI and the Risks of Tearing Down an Old System
news
warontherocks.com
IrregularChat: AI & Autonomy
Aug 18
Operation Epic Fury showed that AI has become central to U.S. warfighting. In the first 24 hours, Central Command used Claude on Palantir’s Maven Smart System to generate and prioritize about 1,000 ta
The Art of Statecraft in an Age of Strategic Failure
news
warontherocks.com
IrregularChat: Modern Warfare
Jun 30
Frank Hoffman’s review argues that the recent U.S. war against Iran exposed major failures in American statecraft and strategy. He defines sound statecraft as the integrated use of all national tools
Cyber Operations Aren’t Slow — Our Thinking Is
news
warontherocks.com
IrregularChat: Tech
May 20
The article argues that U.S. Cyber Command is not inherently slow; rather, its thinking and force design are outdated. The author describes real-world crisis scenarios, such as hostage recoveries and
The New Era of Air and Missile Defense
news
link.defensenews.com
IrregularChat: Counter UxV
May 15
The article argues that modern air and missile defense is nearing a structural limit because current systems were designed for a narrower threat environment than today’s mix of ballistic missiles, cru
The Danger of Vibe Patriotism in Defense Tech
news
warontherocks.com
Irregular Chat: Business
Mar 16
In "The Danger of Vibe Patriotism in Defense Tech," Ben Buchheim-Jurisson critiques the rising trend of equating civilian work in defense technology with military service. This conflation blurs the cr
Chasing True AI Autonomy: From Legacy Mindsets to Battlefield Dominance
news
warontherocks.com
Ehzd1ZUbifpck9XyJf9d/9rX0i3KTg3rh/c4Kceg1iI=
Dec 16, 2025
Western militaries, particularly the U.S., are lagging in developing true AI autonomy in defense systems, while Russia and China advance autonomous machines that operate independently in contested env