The Trident

Episode 24: The Race to Mukalla, Arabian Elite Forces and the War Against Al-Qaeda - (book II in a series with Michael Knights)

Guests Michael Knights and co-host Jane Stokes re-join Dave Brown to discuss the second book in Knight’s series detailing the outcome of a set of modern irregular warfare operations over control of Southern Yemen in 2015. The first book (25 Days to Aden) detailed the Yemeni Houthis’ attempts to take over the port of Aden in their coup against the UN-backed government of the country. Now in the second installment (The Race for Mukalla) Knights recounts the UAE-led campaign in eastern Yemen (2015–2016) to defeat Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and liberate the port city of Mukalla. Join us for the follow-on discussion about a UAE led Irregular Warfare campaign that highlights legitimacy, tribal engagement, and small-footprint SOF integration in the successful dismantling of a terrorist proto-state. Co-Host/Guests: Jane Stokes is an associate professor in the Joint Military Operations Department, College of Distance Education, U.S. Naval War College. She is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served over 25 years in both active and reserve components. As a military officer she served as a Marine foreign advisor, attaché, and liaison officer in numerous embassies, and served as International Programs Branch Chief for the CENTCOM J2, working on Security Cooperation efforts and partner engagement with allies and partners. Previously she was the MARCENT Liaison Officer to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An Arabic speaker, she also spent almost a decade working for Department of State's Foreign Service, and has extensive experience in the Middle East region with a focus on counterterrorism and foreign policy. She holds a MA from American Military University in Strategic Intelligence, and a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Jane is the author of Hesitation Kills: A Female Marine Officer’s Combat Experience in Iraq, featured on the Marine Corps Commandant’s Professional Reading List, and she has appeared on numerous national media outlets. Michael Knights serves as the head of research for Horizon Engage, a strategy advisory, and as an Adjunct Fellow at The Washington Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf states. He is the co-founder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. Michael has traveled widely in Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf states, and regularly briefs government policymakers, congressional committees, and the U.S. military on regional security affairs. He has worked extensively with local military and security agencies on the ground in Iraq, the Gulf states, and Yemen. He previously worked as the head of analysis for a range of security and oil companies, directing information-collection teams in Iraq, Libya, and Yemen, and before that, worked as a defense journalist for the Gulf States Newsletter as well as Jane's Intelligence Review. Michael has written for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Journal for Strategic Studies, and CTC’s The Sentinel, as well as other policy news outlets. He holds a doctorate from the Department of War Studies, King's College London. Articles/References: * https://www.amazon.com/Race-Mukalla-Michael-Knights/dp/1805221515 Maps: Yemen Geographical Map [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (1_Yemen-geo.jpg - 1.4 MB) Yemen Statelets Map [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (2_Yemen_statelets.jpg - 1.4 MB) Missile Accuracy Map [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (3_Safer_Wider.jpg - 1.1 MB) Post-Strike Imagery Map [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (4_Safer_Close.jpg - 872 KB) Marib Counterattack Map [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (5_Marib_counterattack.jpg - 3.1 MB) Mukalla Liberation Map 1 [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (6_Mukalla_liberation_1.jpg - 2.3 MB) Mukalla Liberation Map 2 [https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/editor.cgi?window=additional_files&article=1023&context=the-trident] (7_Mukalla_liberatiion_2.jpg - 946 KB)

Episode 23: Assessing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014-2022 - Implications for the Changing Character of War

Guest Dr. John Pennell and co-host Dr. Heidi Lane join Dave Brown [https://usnwc.edu/Faculty-and-Departments/Directory/David-A-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 [http://www.drglobalbedouin.com/]. Articles/References: 1. https://www.amazon.com/Assessing-Russias-Actions-Ukraine-2014-2022/dp/1666962236 [https://www.amazon.com/Assessing-Russias-Actions-Ukraine-2014-2022/dp/1666962236]

Episode 22: Resilience and Resistance: Interdisciplinary Lessons in Competition, Deterrence, and Irregular Warfare

Guests Robert Burrell and John Collison join Dave Brown to discuss this comprehensive volume which provides the first canon for SOF, interagency, and conventional forces to understand irregular warfare, and the emerging areas of Resilience and Resistance within international competition, and deterrence. The book highlights the asymmetric strategies of adversaries to subvert the international order, including the malign activities of the CCP, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and violent extremist organizations, (and includes case studies on Cuba, Laos, Tibet, and Colombia). Guests: Robert S. Burrell, Ph.D. is a resilience and resistance interdisciplinary scholar using data-driven and human-centric methodologies to analyze intrastate conflict ranging from nonviolent protest through belligerency. His methodological frameworks can be found in his new book Resilience and Resistance. He also serves as a 2025 fellow for the Irregular Warfare Initiative. He currently works as Senior Research Fellow with the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida. He has a PhD in history from the University of Warwick and master’s degrees from San Diego State University and the U.S. Naval War College. John Collison is a Core One contractor supporting Special Operations concept development. John is a retired Army Lieutenant-Colonel with over 26 years of active-duty service in the Civil Affairs and Infantry career fields. He served on the USSOCOM Staff, the Army Staff and held various assignments in both Civil Affairs and Infantry units as an Operations Officer, Executive Office, Company Commander and Platoon leader. John’s overseas assignments and deployments include Cambodia, Egypt, Honduras, Bosnia, Iraq, and Alaska. Articles/References: 1. Resilience and Resistance: Interdisciplinary Lessons in Competition, Deterrence, and Irregular Warfare [https://jsou.edu/Press/PublicationDashboard/284], JSOU Press, July 2025 2. Authored by: Robert S. Burrell, John Collison, A. Jackson, David Oakley, Brian Petit, Chris Mason, John H. Mongan, David DiOrio, Thomas A. Marks, Aaron Baty, Gabriele Pierini, Christopher Marsh, David Maxwell, Namrata Goswami 3. Edited by: Robert S. Burrell

Episode 21: Casting Shadows on Darkened Fleets; the Maritime Irregular Fight for International Sanctions Enforcement

Guests Michelle Bockmann, John Driscoll, and Tomer Raanan join Dave Brown to discuss the so-called ‘shadow fleet’, describing the large, and growing unregulated network of aging oil tankers and cargo ships, (often older than 15 years), that use deceptive practices like turning off maritime tracking systems, faking identities (false flags/names), and using shell companies to operate outside international sanctions, primarily to transport sanctioned oil (like Russian or Iranian) or conduct other illicit trade, while also posing potential major environmental and safety risks due to lack of proper insurance and oversight. Guests: Michelle Wiese Bockmann is a Senior Maritime Intelligence Analyst for Windward and London-based energy commodities writer specializing in sanctioned oil flows and the ‘shadow fleet’, (deceptive and illicit shipping practices, and their regulatory, security and legal implications). Bockmann has more than 25 years’ experience across three continents in shipping and oil markets with a focus on the intersection of global shipping and geopolitics, maritime intelligence, and risk & compliance. Michelle has also worked as a journalist and political writer for The Australian, and worked for Bloomberg News, Lloyd’s List, and Fairplay shipping publications. John J. Driscoll is a 31-year career officer in the U.S. Coast Guard as an expert in maritime law enforcement, theater security cooperation, and maritime and defense policy. Captain Driscoll commanded five USCG Cutters, enforcing U.S. drug, immigration, and fisheries laws, as well as UN Security Council resolutions against Bosnia, Iraq, Libya, and North Korea. He served in defense policy and maritime law enforcement roles, including Chief of Drug and Migrant Interdiction at USCG Headquarters, and Director for Homeland Defense Integration in OSD Policy. Tomer Raanan is a maritime risk analyst at Lloyd’s List, where his reporting explores how geopolitics and regulation shape seaborne commerce, and how deceptive and high-risk practices are used to evade sanctions and facilitate illicit trade. In 2024, Tomer was named ‘Multimedia Journalist of the Year’ by the Seahorse Freight Association for uncovering a sanctions-skirting LPG shipping network. Before joining Lloyd’s List in 2022 as senior reporter, he worked for a decade in private security. Articles: 1. Shadow Fleet: How illicit shipping networks broke global oil trade [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=F0CREYIlHN8], S&P Global Energy, YouTube, 22 Sep 2025 2. Swedish Navy Finds Russian Military Personnel Aboard “Shadow Fleet” Tankers [https://militarnyi.com/en/news/swedish-navy-finds-russian-military-personnel-aboard-shadow-fleet-tankers/], Sania Kozatskyi [https://militarnyi.com/en/author/kozak/], Militarnyi, 16 Dec 2025 3. EU targets Russia’s shadow fleet with new sanctions, hitting businessmen and companies [https://apnews.com/article/eu-sanctions-russia-shadow-fleet-d80d64aa719ddc60575866f2c29e868e], AP News, 15 Dec 2025 4. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council sanctions 9 shadow fleet enablers [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/12/15/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-council-sanctions-9-shadow-fleet-enablers/], Press Release, Council of the EU, 15 Dec 2025 5. Ukrainian drones hit Russia's shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean Sea for the first time, source says [https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-strike-hits-russias-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-mediterranean-sea-for-the-first-time-source-says/], A. Terajima, Kyiv Independent, 19 Dec 2025 6. Ukraine says it struck Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Black Sea [https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/europe/ukraine-strikes-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-intl], K. Gak, C. Danaher, C. Nicholls, CNN, 10 Dec 2025 7. Ghost Busters: Options for Breaking Russia’s Shadow Fleet [https://www.csis.org/analysis/ghost-busters-options-breaking-russias-shadow-fleet], B. Jensen and J. Macias III, CSIS, 15 Dec 2025 8. US May Target Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” if Kremlin Rejects Peace Plan [https://united24media.com/latest-news/us-may-target-russias-shadow-fleet-if-kremlin-rejects-peace-plan-14349], Vlad Litnarovych, United 24 Media, 17 Dec 2025 9. Sinking Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: Has the Ukraine war reached Senegal? [https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251203-sinking-russia-s-shadow-fleet-has-the-ukraine-war-spread-to-senegal], Sébastian Seibt, France 24, 3 Dec 2025 10. Seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new U.S. crackdown on shadow fleet [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/seizure-of-rogue-oil-tanker-off-venezuela-signals-new-u-s-crackdown-on-shadow-fleet], J. Goodman & M. Biesecker, AP via PBS News, 12 Dec 2025 11. Rogue tankers in Singapore: What are shadow fleets and who uses them? [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/19/rogue-tankers-in-singapore-what-are-shadow-fleets-and-who-uses-them], A. Kozul-Wright, Al Jazeera, 19 Dec 2025 12. Irregular Warfare at Sea: How Russia’s Shadow Fleet Undermines Maritime Security [https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/12/11/irregular-warfare-at-sea/], A. Rolander, SWJ, 11 Dec 2025

Episode 20: Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects

Guest Craig Whiteside and co-host Tim Hoyt join Dave Brown to discuss a recent book on Special Operations capabilities being developed by violent non-state actors, including various militants, mercenaries, and even criminal organizations. Join us for this discussion on the growing and emerging capabilities of the dark side of international security, as we examine the recent book, Non-State Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects, by Craig Whiteside and Ian Rice. Article: Non-state Special Operations - Capabilities and Effects [https://search.worldcat.org/title/1523830924], Ian Rice & Craig Whiteside, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2026 - (ISBN 9781032594514) Guests: Timothy D. Hoyt, Ph.D. is a Senior Professor at the U.S. Naval War College’s Strategy and Policy Department. Professor Hoyt holds the John Nicholas Brown Chair of Counterterrorism and Academic Director of the Advanced Strategist Program. Publications include articles on the war on terrorism in South Asia, the limits of military force in the global war on terrorism, military innovation and warfare in the developing world, and the impact of nuclear weapons on recent crises in South Asia. He is currently working on a book on American military strategy in the 21st Century, and a study of the strategy of the Irish Republican Army from 1913-2005. Craig Whiteside is a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College resident program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he teaches military officers as part of their professional military education. He is a senior associate with the Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a fellow at the International Centre for Counter-terrorism – The Hague and George Washington's Program on Extremism. Whiteside’s current research focuses on the doctrinal influences on the leadership of the so-called Islamic State movement and its evolving strategies. He is the co-author of The ISIS Reader: Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement (2020). He has a PhD in Political Science from Washington State University and a former U.S. Army officer with combat experience.