DivergentOptions
@divergentoptions.bsky.social
Analysis without Advocacy.
Options for Continuing to Prepare for a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan in 2028 and Beyond
Michael D. Purzycki is an analyst, writer, and editor based in Arlington, Virginia. He has worked for the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. In addition to Divergent Options,…
Michael D. Purzycki is an analyst, writer, and editor based in Arlington, Virginia. He has worked for the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. In addition to Divergent Options,…
Options for Continuing to Prepare for a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan in 2028 and Beyond
Michael D. Purzycki is an analyst, writer, and editor based in Arlington, Virginia. He has worked for the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. In addition to Divergent Options, he has been published in the Center for Maritime Strategy, the Center for International Maritime Security, the Washington Monthly, The Liberal Patriot,
divergentoptions.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Options for Continuing to Prepare for a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan in 2028 and Beyond
Michael D. Purzycki is an analyst, writer, and editor based in Arlington, Virginia. He has worked for the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. In addition to Divergent Options,…
Michael D. Purzycki is an analyst, writer, and editor based in Arlington, Virginia. He has worked for the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. In addition to Divergent Options,…
Call for Papers: 2028 and Beyond
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that assess a national security situation, present multiple options to…
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that assess a national security situation, present multiple options to…
Call for Papers: 2028 and Beyond
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that assess a national security situation, present multiple options to address the situation, and articulate the risk and gain of each option. Please note that while we assess a national security situation and may provide options, we never recommend a specific option…
divergentoptions.org
September 1, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Call for Papers: 2028 and Beyond
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that assess a national security situation, present multiple options to…
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that assess a national security situation, present multiple options to…
An Assessment Mechanised Forces in the Age of Drones
Samir Srivastava is serving in the Indian Army. All suggestions in the article are solely of the Author in his personal capacity. Divergent Options' content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the…
Samir Srivastava is serving in the Indian Army. All suggestions in the article are solely of the Author in his personal capacity. Divergent Options' content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the…
An Assessment Mechanised Forces in the Age of Drones
Samir Srivastava is serving in the Indian Army. All suggestions in the article are solely of the Author in his personal capacity. Divergent Options' content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the official position of any government, any organization, or any group. Title: An Assessment of the Future of the Mechanised Forces in the age of Drones.
divergentoptions.org
August 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
An Assessment Mechanised Forces in the Age of Drones
Samir Srivastava is serving in the Indian Army. All suggestions in the article are solely of the Author in his personal capacity. Divergent Options' content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the…
Samir Srivastava is serving in the Indian Army. All suggestions in the article are solely of the Author in his personal capacity. Divergent Options' content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the…
An Assessment of North Korea’s Attempts to Destabilize South Korea
CPT Heo Jeongin is a Republic of Korea Army officer currently attending the Captain's Career Course (CCC) at the U.S. Army Intelligence School (Fort Huachuca) and wrote the following assessment as part of the Forging Leadership…
CPT Heo Jeongin is a Republic of Korea Army officer currently attending the Captain's Career Course (CCC) at the U.S. Army Intelligence School (Fort Huachuca) and wrote the following assessment as part of the Forging Leadership…
An Assessment of North Korea’s Attempts to Destabilize South Korea
CPT Heo Jeongin is a Republic of Korea Army officer currently attending the Captain's Career Course (CCC) at the U.S. Army Intelligence School (Fort Huachuca) and wrote the following assessment as part of the Forging Leadership Program. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content represent the official position of any government, any organization, or any group.
divergentoptions.org
July 30, 2025 at 1:51 AM
An Assessment of North Korea’s Attempts to Destabilize South Korea
CPT Heo Jeongin is a Republic of Korea Army officer currently attending the Captain's Career Course (CCC) at the U.S. Army Intelligence School (Fort Huachuca) and wrote the following assessment as part of the Forging Leadership…
CPT Heo Jeongin is a Republic of Korea Army officer currently attending the Captain's Career Course (CCC) at the U.S. Army Intelligence School (Fort Huachuca) and wrote the following assessment as part of the Forging Leadership…
Options to Mitigate Effects from Houthi Attacks on International Trade
Benjamin Martell is a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army with previous experience as an active-duty Armor Officer. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content…
Benjamin Martell is a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army with previous experience as an active-duty Armor Officer. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content…
Options to Mitigate Effects from Houthi Attacks on International Trade
Benjamin Martell is a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army with previous experience as an active-duty Armor Officer. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content represent the official position of any government, any organization, or any group. National Security Situation: Houthi attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden continue to have significant impacts on international trade.
divergentoptions.org
July 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Options to Mitigate Effects from Houthi Attacks on International Trade
Benjamin Martell is a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army with previous experience as an active-duty Armor Officer. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content…
Benjamin Martell is a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army with previous experience as an active-duty Armor Officer. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content…
An Assessment on State Sponsorship, Drones and the Expanded Capabilities of Non-State Armed Groups
Estelle Denton-Townshend has a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. She currently works at the University of Waikato where she is a teaching fellow. Divergent Options’ content does…
Estelle Denton-Townshend has a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. She currently works at the University of Waikato where she is a teaching fellow. Divergent Options’ content does…
An Assessment on State Sponsorship, Drones and the Expanded Capabilities of Non-State Armed Groups
Estelle Denton-Townshend has a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. She currently works at the University of Waikato where she is a teaching fellow. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature, nor does the content represent the official position of any government, any organization, or any group. Title: An Assessment on State Sponsorship, Drones and the Expanded Capabilities of Non-State Armed Groups
divergentoptions.org
June 13, 2025 at 4:01 AM
An Assessment on State Sponsorship, Drones and the Expanded Capabilities of Non-State Armed Groups
Estelle Denton-Townshend has a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. She currently works at the University of Waikato where she is a teaching fellow. Divergent Options’ content does…
Estelle Denton-Townshend has a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand. She currently works at the University of Waikato where she is a teaching fellow. Divergent Options’ content does…
An Assessment of the Joint Warfighting Concept’s Limitations in Mexico’s Gray Zone
Travis L. Eddleman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and currently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and…
Travis L. Eddleman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and currently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and…
An Assessment of the Joint Warfighting Concept’s Limitations in Mexico’s Gray Zone
Travis L. Eddleman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and currently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and Policy from New Jersey City University. He has served in command and interagency intelligence roles supporting joint operations in complex environments. His work focuses on operational integration across military, law enforcement, and civilian agencies.
divergentoptions.org
April 30, 2025 at 4:01 AM
An Assessment of the Joint Warfighting Concept’s Limitations in Mexico’s Gray Zone
Travis L. Eddleman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and currently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and…
Travis L. Eddleman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and currently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and…
Check out Ben Phocas' latest article on Russia's options following a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine:
Options for Russia Following the Special Military Operation in Ukraine
2LT Ben Phocas is an active-duty Armor Officer in the US Army. He is a 2024 graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies. Divergent Opt…
divergentoptions.org
April 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Check out Ben Phocas' latest article on Russia's options following a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine:
There's still time to for you to submit your original, un-published work on the Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts:
Call for Papers: Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that asse…
divergentoptions.org
March 29, 2025 at 6:33 PM
There's still time to for you to submit your original, un-published work on the Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts:
New this week: "It is imperative for the United States to address the risk of Iranian nuclear breakout to both quell proliferation and uphold regional stability." divergentoptions.org/2025/03/26/o...
March 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
New this week: "It is imperative for the United States to address the risk of Iranian nuclear breakout to both quell proliferation and uphold regional stability." divergentoptions.org/2025/03/26/o...
New this week: Author John Beattie explores options to respond to Iranian nuclear breakout.
Options to Respond to Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East
2LT John Beattie is an active-duty field artillery officer in the US Army. He is currently serving with 3-319th AFAR, 82nd Airborne Division, at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He is a 2024 graduate of …
divergentoptions.org
March 28, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New this week: Author John Beattie explores options to respond to Iranian nuclear breakout.
Happy Friday! Anyone interested in a longer read on Russia's hybrid warfare against the West should check out Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan's article in Foreign Affairs:
Arsonist, Killer, Saboteur, Spy
While Trump courts him, Putin is escalating Russia’s hybrid war against the West.
www.foreignaffairs.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Happy Friday! Anyone interested in a longer read on Russia's hybrid warfare against the West should check out Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan's article in Foreign Affairs:
New this week: A cross-border legal framework would limit traffickers’ ability to exploit inconsistencies between national laws, weakening their networks. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
New this week: A cross-border legal framework would limit traffickers’ ability to exploit inconsistencies between national laws, weakening their networks. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
New this week: Brazil’s anti-trafficking policies have historically been driven by external pressures rather than proactive domestic initiatives. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
New this week: Brazil’s anti-trafficking policies have historically been driven by external pressures rather than proactive domestic initiatives. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
We are still accepting papers on the Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts:
Call for Papers: Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that asse…
divergentoptions.org
March 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
We are still accepting papers on the Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts:
New this week: Brazilian officials either have a widespread misunderstanding of trafficking laws or, worse, are involved in official complicity. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
New this week: Brazilian officials either have a widespread misunderstanding of trafficking laws or, worse, are involved in official complicity. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
The quiet part of foreign military sales out loud (from Defense News): Trump also left the door open to selling versions of NGAD to allies — though he said those might be “toned-down” versions. “Because someday, maybe they’re not our allies, right?” Trump said.
Boeing wins contract for NGAD fighter jet, dubbed F-47
The Air Force said Boeing's F-47 will fly by the end of President Trump's administration.
www.defensenews.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The quiet part of foreign military sales out loud (from Defense News): Trump also left the door open to selling versions of NGAD to allies — though he said those might be “toned-down” versions. “Because someday, maybe they’re not our allies, right?” Trump said.
New this week: A major enforcement challenge lies in the blurred line between voluntary sex work and trafficking, exacerbated by inconsistencies in Brazil’s legal framework . divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
New this week: A major enforcement challenge lies in the blurred line between voluntary sex work and trafficking, exacerbated by inconsistencies in Brazil’s legal framework . divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
Thought about writing for Divergent Options? Start here:
Write for Us
Below you will see a 2025 Call for Papers Schedule. If you are not interested in writing on these topics, we always welcome individual articles on virtually any national security topic that you mig…
divergentoptions.org
March 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Thought about writing for Divergent Options? Start here:
New this week: Transnational Criminal Organizations exploit Brazil’s sex work laws to traffic children into its legal prostitution industry. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
New this week: Transnational Criminal Organizations exploit Brazil’s sex work laws to traffic children into its legal prostitution industry. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
New this week: Author Victoria Maldonado presents options for combatting South American human trafficking networks. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
March 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New this week: Author Victoria Maldonado presents options for combatting South American human trafficking networks. divergentoptions.org/2025/03/19/o...
New this week: The U.S. Department of Defense has repeatedly highlighted the urgency of securing supply chains for critical minerals, including rare-earth minerals. buff.ly/lCNs8ei
March 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New this week: The U.S. Department of Defense has repeatedly highlighted the urgency of securing supply chains for critical minerals, including rare-earth minerals. buff.ly/lCNs8ei
New this week: Trump’s focus on rare earth minerals is set against a backdrop of strategic competition with China, and the U.S. desire to spend less defending Ukraine against Russia. buff.ly/lCNs8ei
March 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
New this week: Trump’s focus on rare earth minerals is set against a backdrop of strategic competition with China, and the U.S. desire to spend less defending Ukraine against Russia. buff.ly/lCNs8ei
Thoughts about the future of warfare and the current menu of service-specific operating concepts? Send us your original work: submissions@divergentoptions.org
Call for Papers: Joint Warfighting Concept and Future Operating Concepts
Background: Divergent Options is a non-politically aligned non-revenue generating national security website that, in 1,000 words or less, provides unbiased, dispassionate, candid articles that asse…
buff.ly
March 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Thoughts about the future of warfare and the current menu of service-specific operating concepts? Send us your original work: submissions@divergentoptions.org
New this week: President Trump sought to finalize a deal that gave the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, and he wanted this deal secured before a security guarantee was discussed. buff.ly/lCNs8ei
March 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
New this week: President Trump sought to finalize a deal that gave the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, and he wanted this deal secured before a security guarantee was discussed. buff.ly/lCNs8ei