War on the Rocks
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What might happen to Cuba now that Maduro has been captured? (Members Only)
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What Maduro’s Fall Would Mean for Havana
Joseph sits down with Michael Bustamante to discuss how rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela could impact Cuba. They unpack how the country...
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
What might happen to Cuba now that Maduro has been captured? (Members Only)
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One operation changed the conversation overnight. The hard questions come next. (Members Only)
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
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January 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
One operation changed the conversation overnight. The hard questions come next. (Members Only)
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Why do analysts keep misreading Trump abroad? The Maduro operation offers a sobering clue. warontherocks.com/2026/01/trum...
Trump’s Venezuelan Regime Change: Why Do People Keep Getting Him Wrong on Foreign Policy?
A number of thoughtful observers argued President Donald Trump would not pursue regime change in Venezuela. I was never convinced. On our podcast and in
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Why do analysts keep misreading Trump abroad? The Maduro operation offers a sobering clue. warontherocks.com/2026/01/trum...
Toppling Maduro is only the beginning. The day after is the real fight in Venezuela.
The Day After: What Successful Regime Change in Venezuela Would Really Take
What if the “counternarcotics” strikes against boats suspected of moving drugs aren’t really about cocaine at all, but about toppling Venezuelan President
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Toppling Maduro is only the beginning. The day after is the real fight in Venezuela.
The 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama to capture Manuel Noriega would make an excellent black comedy. Does it have any similarities to America's seizure of Maduro? warontherocks.com/2017/06/reme...
Remembering Manuel Noriega and His Capture
When my book on the history of manhunts was published, I was often asked by friends and family which of the military operations would make the best film.
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:45 PM
The 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama to capture Manuel Noriega would make an excellent black comedy. Does it have any similarities to America's seizure of Maduro? warontherocks.com/2017/06/reme...
Don’t just keep up. Get ahead. Become a War on the Rocks member and join thousands of professionals who already have.
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War On The Rocks Platinum An All-Access Pass to War on the Rocks What Our Members Are Saying “I’ve been a member since 2016. War on the Rocks is a melting
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Don’t just keep up. Get ahead. Become a War on the Rocks member and join thousands of professionals who already have.
“Members of the profession of arms should remember the Christmas Truce for everything it was, and they should learn about it because of all the things it was not,” writes Joseph D. Eanett.
The Last Gasp of Peace: The Christmas Truce of 1914 and the Modern Profession of Arms
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2019. The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 is often considered “played out,” especially in
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:30 AM
“Members of the profession of arms should remember the Christmas Truce for everything it was, and they should learn about it because of all the things it was not,” writes Joseph D. Eanett.
Myth makes the Battle of Trenton comforting. Reality makes it useful.
The First U.S. Army Christmas: Washington and the Hessians
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2023. It is a story so well known it has become a meme. “Americans: Willing to cross a frozen
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Myth makes the Battle of Trenton comforting. Reality makes it useful.
Looking back at 2025, what do the year’s most-read articles have in common?
Most Read Cogs of War Articles of 2025
2025 was a busy year for defense tech, but this year’s most-read Cogs of War pieces have a clear throughline. Readers were most interested in whether the
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Looking back at 2025, what do the year’s most-read articles have in common?
“We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas,” wrote Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe.
“NUTS!” — McAuliffe’s 1944 Christmas Letter
Editor’s Note: In honor of Christmas, we proudly publish the text of Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's 1944 Christmas letter to the U.S. 101st Airborne
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:15 AM
“We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas,” wrote Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe.
India faces China as both a security threat and a critical economic partner. What makes this uneasy coexistence possible?
The Indispensable Adversary: India's Approach to China
On a frozen Himalayan ridgeline, Indian and Chinese troops still stare at each other through rifle sights. Thousands of miles away, Indian factories hum
warontherocks.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:30 AM
India faces China as both a security threat and a critical economic partner. What makes this uneasy coexistence possible?
Get exclusive insights from Michael Kofman on The Russia Contingency and Afshon Ostovar on The Iran Reckoning: only for War on the Rocks members. Join today.
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War On The Rocks Platinum An All-Access Pass to War on the Rocks What Our Members Are Saying “I’ve been a member since 2016. War on the Rocks is a melting
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Get exclusive insights from Michael Kofman on The Russia Contingency and Afshon Ostovar on The Iran Reckoning: only for War on the Rocks members. Join today.
U.S.-Chinese crisis hotlines exist on paper. When tensions rise, Beijing often chooses silence instead.
Seatbelts for Speeders: Why Beijing Ignores Washington’s Red Phone
In early November, after meeting China’s defense minister, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth performed a longstanding ritual in military relations
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:00 PM
U.S.-Chinese crisis hotlines exist on paper. When tensions rise, Beijing often chooses silence instead.
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.
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.
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:40 PM
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.
Mechanized warfare now lives in the gaps created by deception, disruption, and timing.
Why Mechanized Warfare Will Still Be Decisive in the Next Land War
Mechanized warfare is not dead. Observers have been debating this topic since the Ukrainian military and volunteers beat back the Russian assault on Kiev
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Mechanized warfare now lives in the gaps created by deception, disruption, and timing.
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Want to write for War on the Rocks? Start here.
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Want to write for War on the Rocks?
From history’s pull to tomorrow’s wars, these pieces shaped the conversation in 2025.
Most Read War on the Rocks Articles of 2025
As 2025 comes to an end, we at War on the Rocks reflect on the stories and events that our readers found most compelling in a year marked by fresh
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
From history’s pull to tomorrow’s wars, these pieces shaped the conversation in 2025.
If you have something to say about defense technology and industry, we want your voice. Contribute to @Cogs0fWar and shape the debate.
How to Contribute to Cogs of War
Cogs of War is our dedicated vertical on defense technology and defense industrial base issues produced in partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton. Read on
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If you have something to say about defense technology and industry, we want your voice. Contribute to @Cogs0fWar and shape the debate.
Five experts look back on a year that caught even insiders off guard. (Members Only)
U.S. Foreign Policy Surprises in 2025
The first year of President Donald Trump’s second term brought many significant changes to U.S. foreign policy, as the administration worked to reshape
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Five experts look back on a year that caught even insiders off guard. (Members Only)
Your insider access to world-class national security content. Premium experience starts with War on the Rocks.
Membership
War On The Rocks Platinum An All-Access Pass to War on the Rocks What Our Members Are Saying “I’ve been a member since 2016. War on the Rocks is a melting
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Your insider access to world-class national security content. Premium experience starts with War on the Rocks.
Before America became the arsenal, it had to admit it was behind schedule.
FDR’s Message on the Defense Industry for the New Year
Editor’s Note: Defense tech enthusiasts may be familiar with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous Arsenal of Democracy speech, which solemnly and
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Before America became the arsenal, it had to admit it was behind schedule.
The question isn’t whether Germany is changing, it’s what it can deliver, and whether it’s fast enough.
From Restraint to Readiness? Germany Considers Conscription
On Dec. 5, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reached a significant milestone in his bid to build “Europe’s strongest conventional army”: Germany’s
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The question isn’t whether Germany is changing, it’s what it can deliver, and whether it’s fast enough.
What happens when a leader faces fewer limits than outsiders assume? (Members Only)
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
What happens when a leader faces fewer limits than outsiders assume? (Members Only)
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Builders, policymakers, investors, and operators: this is your arena. Follow @Cogs0fWar to join the conversation on the future of defense innovation.
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.
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Builders, policymakers, investors, and operators: this is your arena. Follow @Cogs0fWar to join the conversation on the future of defense innovation.
The problem may not be broken hotlines, but mismatched expectations about what they are for.
Seatbelts for Speeders: Why Beijing Ignores Washington’s Red Phone
In early November, after meeting China’s defense minister, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth performed a longstanding ritual in military relations
warontherocks.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The problem may not be broken hotlines, but mismatched expectations about what they are for.