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Why Washington’s Kurdish Gambit Could Backfire in Iran The Trump administration should abandon any plans to arm Iranian Kurdish forces before the first fighter crosses the Iraqi-Iranian border. Not refine it.

Some policymakers see an opportunity along Iran’s western frontier. But the regional ripple effects could be difficult to control.

Cogs of War Our dedicated vertical on defense tech & industry, brought to you by an epic partnership between War on the Rocks & Booz Allen Hamilton. National security is inextricably linked to technological prowess, talent, and industrial capacity. We aim to leverage deep expertise and thought leadership to foster the most substantive, impactful conversation possible.

If you’re working where defense meets innovation, @Cogs0fWar is for you. Follow our dedicated vertical on defense technology and industrial base issues for cutting-edge analysis.

Quenching the Nuclear Stockpile’s Thirst for Tritium Most accounts of the Manhattan Project tell a familiar story: American scientists relentlessly racing to design and build the fission bombs that would

Why a civilian plant in Tennessee could provide for the entire nation’s defense.

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The explosions tell only part of the story. The real contest in this war is unfolding in missile factories, command rooms, and underground tunnels. (Members Only)

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When the hype fades, what actually keeps Marines moving? A retired Marine reflects on the habits that matter most. (Members Only)

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The war in Ukraine is forcing Russian strategists to rethink the battlefield. But not everyone agrees on what comes next. (Members Only)

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Pakistan’s latest strikes in Afghanistan mark a new phase in a familiar conflict. But the consequences may look very different this time. (Members Only)

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Russian Perceptions on the Future of War Mike talks with Oscar Jonsson and Maria Engqvist about Russian thinking on the future of war. They discuss how Russian military thinkers view the lessons...

The war in Ukraine is forcing Russian strategists to rethink the battlefield. But not everyone agrees on what comes next. (Members Only)

Quenching the Nuclear Stockpile’s Thirst for Tritium Most accounts of the Manhattan Project tell a familiar story: American scientists relentlessly racing to design and build the fission bombs that would

Washington’s nuclear modernization effort depends on one nuclear isotope with a commercial global supply that could fit in a duffel bag.

Behind closed doors, conversations about Europe’s nuclear future have been building for years. Macron just brought them into the open. (Members Only)

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New today for War on the Rocks members:


War in Iran Shapes Adversaries’ Calculations


Building Discipline Over Motivation


Russian Perceptions on the Future of War warontherocks.com/ca...

Why Washington’s Kurdish Gambit Could Backfire in Iran The Trump administration should abandon any plans to arm Iranian Kurdish forces before the first fighter crosses the Iraqi-Iranian border. Not refine it.

Dr Albert B Wolf, who knows Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan etc very well: Washington should abandon the Kurdish gambit. Every day it remains on the table, Turkey, Iraq, and Pakistan edge further toward the conclusion...1/2 via @warontherocks.bsky.social warontherocks.com/2026/03/why-...

Behind closed doors, conversations about Europe’s nuclear future have been building for years. Macron just brought them into the open. (Members Only)

Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...

Cogs of War Our dedicated vertical on defense tech & industry, brought to you by an epic partnership between War on the Rocks & Booz Allen Hamilton. National security is inextricably linked to technological prowess, talent, and industrial capacity. We aim to leverage deep expertise and thought leadership to foster the most substantive, impactful conversation possible.

Builders, policymakers, investors, and operators: this is your arena. Follow @Cogs0fWar to join the conversation on the future of defense innovation.

Technology may be changing warfare, but experience and judgment still sit at the center of every critical decision. (Members Only)

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The Adversarial: War in Iran Shapes Adversaries' Calculations Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea,

A widening war in the Middle East is forcing America’s rivals to make quiet calculations. From Russia to North Korea, the strategic picture is shifting. (Members Only)

Why Washington’s Kurdish Gambit Could Backfire in Iran The Trump administration should abandon any plans to arm Iranian Kurdish forces before the first fighter crosses the Iraqi-Iranian border. Not refine it.

Washington is weighing a risky new lever against Tehran. The consequences could reach far beyond Iran’s borders.

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Today in War on the Rocks:


Quenching the Nuclear Stockpile’s Thirst for Tritium


Why Washington’s Kurdish Gambit Could Backfire in Iran

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How Arab Gulf States Are Responding to the War with Iran Iran has targeted multiple Arab states in response to the U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28. Afshon talks with Sanam Vakil about...

Iran’s war is reshaping the politics of the Persian Gulf. The region’s closest neighbors now face choices they hoped to avoid. (Members Only)

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Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy got some serious nautical miles under its belt during the first year of this administration, with combat operations from the Caribbean to

From maintenance backlogs to drone swarms, the Navy’s latest strategy confronts hard truths about readiness and risk. Writing the plan was the easy part.

Bonus In Brief: Global Reaction to the War in Iran On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched major, ongoing strikes against Iran — including killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many other

The U.S.–Israeli war with Iran is already rippling far beyond the battlefield. Governments around the world are scrambling to adjust. (Members Only)

The Bay of Bengal Flank: India’s Three-Front Dilemma and Its Implications for Taiwan What if the biggest variable in whether China attacks Taiwan is how many directions New Delhi is forced to look at once? When considering a Taiwan

A more encircled India is a less flexible India. That dynamic could reduce pressure on China precisely where the United States needs it most.

Fighting an Economic War Without Fused Intelligence Editor’s note: This article is the third in an 11-part series examining how the United States should organize, lead, and integrate economic statecraft

National security decisions are being made in boardrooms without the intelligence to price the risk. How can leaders assess what the system is not built to show them?

Innovation, irreverence, and responsibility all start with one thing: taking care of airmen so they can take care of the mission. (Members Only)


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