Irregular Warfare in 2024: Lessons Learned, Paths Forward

by: Guido Torres, Executive Director of IWI January 2nd, 2025 The global security environment in 2024 proved as unpredictable as ever—yet, beneath the headlines, several clear themes and patterns emerged. A review of our articles published throughout the year reveals deeper insights into how irregular warfare is evolving across multiple fronts, from the Indo-Pacific to the Sahel, and from space to the bottom of the sea. This was not a year of singular, decisive battles but of incremental advances and strategic maneuvering in unconventional ways. This episode draws on insights from over 75 articles published by the Irregular Warfare Initiative in 2024, synthesizing key lessons and identifying emerging trends in irregular warfare. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government. The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website, along with all the articles cited. If you value reading the Irregular Warfare Initiative, please consider supporting our work. And for the best gear, check out the IWI store for mugs, coasters, apparel, and other items. Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review.