Iskander Rehman
@irehman.bsky.social
Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation. Applied history, grand strategy and Asian security.
Pinned
Iskander Rehman
@irehman.bsky.social
· Jul 11
Toward a New Grand Design? Reviving Sully’s Legacy in European Strategic Thought - War on the Rocks
Editor’s Note: This is part of a running series of essays by Iskander Rehman, entitled “Applied History,” which seeks, through the study of the history of
warontherocks.com
In my latest essay in my applied history series for
@warontherocks.bsky.social
I argue that Sully's so-called "Grand Design" for pan-european strategic unity is eminently worthy of rediscovery
warontherocks.com/2025/07/towa...
(2/9)
@warontherocks.bsky.social
I argue that Sully's so-called "Grand Design" for pan-european strategic unity is eminently worthy of rediscovery
warontherocks.com/2025/07/towa...
(2/9)
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
"Before November ends, Russia will probably suffer its millionth casualty since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, based on current trends of about 1,000-1,200 soldiers killed or injured every day."
Vladimir Putin’s sickening statistic: 1m Russian casualties in Ukraine
His regime uses payouts to salve Russian families’ grief
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"Before November ends, Russia will probably suffer its millionth casualty since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, based on current trends of about 1,000-1,200 soldiers killed or injured every day."
I remember the effect this stirring monologue by Andrew Neil , full of righteous fury and moral clarity, had on me ten years ago, after hours spent frantically checking on the safety and whereabouts of my family & loved ones in Paris. Well worth rewatching
m.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg...
Andrew Neil's message to Paris attackers - BBC News
YouTube video by BBC News
m.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I remember the effect this stirring monologue by Andrew Neil , full of righteous fury and moral clarity, had on me ten years ago, after hours spent frantically checking on the safety and whereabouts of my family & loved ones in Paris. Well worth rewatching
m.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg...
On Veterans/Armistice Day, re-upping the piece that, out all of my essays for @warontherocks.bsky.social over the years, was perhaps the most meaningful—and enjoyable—to write
warontherocks.com/2018/10/from...
warontherocks.com/2018/10/from...
From the Trenches to Mordor and Back: World War I and British Fantasy Literature
In 1889, two and a half decades before the outbreak of World War I, Mark Twain published a short and whimsical novel entitled A Yankee in King Arthur’s
warontherocks.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
On Veterans/Armistice Day, re-upping the piece that, out all of my essays for @warontherocks.bsky.social over the years, was perhaps the most meaningful—and enjoyable—to write
warontherocks.com/2018/10/from...
warontherocks.com/2018/10/from...
What might the growing use and integration of advanced AI mean for nuclear stability and deterrence? Delighted to see this research get published today by the Modern War Institute at Westpoint:
mwi.westpoint.edu/an-algorithm...
mwi.westpoint.edu/an-algorithm...
An Algorithmic Loosening of the Atomic Screw? Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Deterrence - Modern War Institute
“It did not take atomic weapons to make man want peace. But the atomic bomb was the turn of the screw. The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led up those last few steps t...
mwi.westpoint.edu
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
What might the growing use and integration of advanced AI mean for nuclear stability and deterrence? Delighted to see this research get published today by the Modern War Institute at Westpoint:
mwi.westpoint.edu/an-algorithm...
mwi.westpoint.edu/an-algorithm...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
Fascinating paper from IFRI, and the framing itself is a sign of the times - a Europe-Russia power balance.
The intro sets the scene in stark words: "European countries can no longer avoid the “Russian Question” as Russia has chosen war."
The intro sets the scene in stark words: "European countries can no longer avoid the “Russian Question” as Russia has chosen war."
🇪🇺🇷🇺 #Europe - #Russia: Political Systems and Societal Resilience.
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
November 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Fascinating paper from IFRI, and the framing itself is a sign of the times - a Europe-Russia power balance.
The intro sets the scene in stark words: "European countries can no longer avoid the “Russian Question” as Russia has chosen war."
The intro sets the scene in stark words: "European countries can no longer avoid the “Russian Question” as Russia has chosen war."
“By divine design, we have been put here, the archipelago has been put here,” said Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, the Philippine Navy’s spokesperson. “It just so happened that we are the toll gate between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.”
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
A narrow Pacific waterway is at the heart of U.S. plans to choke China’s vast navy
The U.S. has deployed troops and anti-ship missiles into the northern Philippines as part of almost continuous, joint war drills throughout the country. One goal: to block the Bashi Channel and deny Chinese warships access to the Pacific Ocean if Beijing attacks Taiwan.
www.reuters.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 PM
“By divine design, we have been put here, the archipelago has been put here,” said Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, the Philippine Navy’s spokesperson. “It just so happened that we are the toll gate between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.”
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
Possibly more relevant than sightings near airports
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there have been 187 drone sightings near high-security military establishments across the UK since the start of 2025.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nearly-200-d...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nearly-200-d...
Nearly 200 drone sightings near UK military sites this year
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there have been 187 drone sightings near high-security military establishments across the UK since the start of 2025.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Possibly more relevant than sightings near airports
Lovely story on perhaps my favorite place in New York
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
One Bookstore, 3 Sisters and 100 Years
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Lovely story on perhaps my favorite place in New York
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
Project Gutenberg is one of those places that exemplifies what the internet was initially all about: studying, preserving, and celebrating the arts, especially the written word, and Greg Newby was a huge part of that.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Newby, who led Project Gutenberg ( @gutenberg.org ) with passion and purpose. Greg’s belief in free and open access to knowledge continues to inspire us and so many others working to preserve our shared culture online. gutenberg.org/about/newby....
October 23, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Project Gutenberg is one of those places that exemplifies what the internet was initially all about: studying, preserving, and celebrating the arts, especially the written word, and Greg Newby was a huge part of that.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
Thank you, Greg, and rest well.
I was just let go as part of this RIF, along with many dedicated and talented colleagues. I am now open to opportunities in defense and strategy across think tanks, FFRDCs and academia. RAND is a fine institution, and I am proud to have worked there.
October 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I was just let go as part of this RIF, along with many dedicated and talented colleagues. I am now open to opportunities in defense and strategy across think tanks, FFRDCs and academia. RAND is a fine institution, and I am proud to have worked there.
"Authorities are now prying children as young as four from their homes. The campaign reflects the convictions of Xi Jinping, who said the country needs to reach children as babies “so that the red gene seeps into their blood and permeates their hearts.”
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
China Steals Language and Home Life From Tibetan Kids as Young as 4
Beijing is building a broad network of preschools across Tibetan areas, seeking to inculcate loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party early in life.
www.wsj.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
"Authorities are now prying children as young as four from their homes. The campaign reflects the convictions of Xi Jinping, who said the country needs to reach children as babies “so that the red gene seeps into their blood and permeates their hearts.”
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Wonderful to talk about the past, present & future of military competition in beautiful Idaho. Very impressed by the level of interest in foreign and defense policy from BSU students & Idahoans young and old. Thanks again to the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations for the kind invitation.
October 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Wonderful to talk about the past, present & future of military competition in beautiful Idaho. Very impressed by the level of interest in foreign and defense policy from BSU students & Idahoans young and old. Thanks again to the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations for the kind invitation.
Fascinating discovering the vibrant Basque culture in Boise, Idaho. The more one travels this vast land, the more one realizes it defies easy generalizations.
October 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Fascinating discovering the vibrant Basque culture in Boise, Idaho. The more one travels this vast land, the more one realizes it defies easy generalizations.
“Discoveries made on its (US) soil have earned it 304 scientific Nobels—far more than for any other country. But only about 70% of those prizes went to American-born scientists, and just eight Americans have won for work done abroad.”
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Which countries breed Nobel laureates, and which import them?
Without immigrants America’s medal haul would be much smaller
www.economist.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:57 PM
“Discoveries made on its (US) soil have earned it 304 scientific Nobels—far more than for any other country. But only about 70% of those prizes went to American-born scientists, and just eight Americans have won for work done abroad.”
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
I'm looking forward to talking about the past and future of great power war at the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations next week. The Boise Committee, like its fellow national chapters, has a noble mission and a rich history.
boisecfr.org/event-6318446 (1/2)
boisecfr.org/event-6318446 (1/2)
Boise Committee on Foreign Relations - October 2025 Meeting
boisecfr.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I'm looking forward to talking about the past and future of great power war at the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations next week. The Boise Committee, like its fellow national chapters, has a noble mission and a rich history.
boisecfr.org/event-6318446 (1/2)
boisecfr.org/event-6318446 (1/2)
This declassified 1964 Policy Planning paper debating (and ultimately arguing against) preventive strikes on China’s nuclear program, written only a few months before the PRC’s nuclear test at Lop Nur, is one of the more fascinating historical documents I’ve read in a while
October 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This declassified 1964 Policy Planning paper debating (and ultimately arguing against) preventive strikes on China’s nuclear program, written only a few months before the PRC’s nuclear test at Lop Nur, is one of the more fascinating historical documents I’ve read in a while
I learned a lot from my engagement with members of the Dutch national security community (some of whom preferred not to feature on the group photo) @hcss.bsky.social The insights shared from those with experience in training Ukrainian personnel were particularly informative.
hcss.nl/news/a-littl...
hcss.nl/news/a-littl...
Iskander Rehman | A Little World War: Lessons from the Spanish Civil War for Contemporary Strategies - HCSS
On 11th September 2025, HCSS welcomed Iskander Rehman, author and Senior Political Scientist at the RAND corporation for a lecture on the Lessons Learnt from the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) applicab...
hcss.nl
October 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
I learned a lot from my engagement with members of the Dutch national security community (some of whom preferred not to feature on the group photo) @hcss.bsky.social The insights shared from those with experience in training Ukrainian personnel were particularly informative.
hcss.nl/news/a-littl...
hcss.nl/news/a-littl...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
We were extremely pleased to welcome Iskander Rehman to CSDS for a discussion about Artificial Intelligence and the Nuclear analogy. The dialogue was a chance to learn about Iskander's research at RAND and his recent work. Thanks for joining us, Iskander!
@irehman.bsky.social @rand.org #AI #nuclear
@irehman.bsky.social @rand.org #AI #nuclear
September 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
We were extremely pleased to welcome Iskander Rehman to CSDS for a discussion about Artificial Intelligence and the Nuclear analogy. The dialogue was a chance to learn about Iskander's research at RAND and his recent work. Thanks for joining us, Iskander!
@irehman.bsky.social @rand.org #AI #nuclear
@irehman.bsky.social @rand.org #AI #nuclear
I enjoyed discussing AI & nuclear stability in Brussels today & having the opportunity to highlight some of the groundbreaking work on AI & national security by my colleagues @rand.org .
Many thanks to @luissimonn.bsky.social at Vrije Universiteit Brussel & the team at NATO DPP.
Many thanks to @luissimonn.bsky.social at Vrije Universiteit Brussel & the team at NATO DPP.
September 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I enjoyed discussing AI & nuclear stability in Brussels today & having the opportunity to highlight some of the groundbreaking work on AI & national security by my colleagues @rand.org .
Many thanks to @luissimonn.bsky.social at Vrije Universiteit Brussel & the team at NATO DPP.
Many thanks to @luissimonn.bsky.social at Vrije Universiteit Brussel & the team at NATO DPP.
Great to talk about the past, present & future of proxy warfare, authoritarian military coordination & military experimentation—from the Spanish Civil War to the war in Ukraine—with our Dutch allies @hcss.bsky.social (especially the same week their F35s shot down marauding Russian drones)
September 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Great to talk about the past, present & future of proxy warfare, authoritarian military coordination & military experimentation—from the Spanish Civil War to the war in Ukraine—with our Dutch allies @hcss.bsky.social (especially the same week their F35s shot down marauding Russian drones)
Looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks engaging with friends & colleagues across the pond. On September 11, I'll be giving a talk at @hcss.bsky.social
entitled A “Little World War”: Lessons and Insights from the Spanish Civil War for Contemporary Planners. (1/3)
entitled A “Little World War”: Lessons and Insights from the Spanish Civil War for Contemporary Planners. (1/3)
September 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks engaging with friends & colleagues across the pond. On September 11, I'll be giving a talk at @hcss.bsky.social
entitled A “Little World War”: Lessons and Insights from the Spanish Civil War for Contemporary Planners. (1/3)
entitled A “Little World War”: Lessons and Insights from the Spanish Civil War for Contemporary Planners. (1/3)
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
I just received my first copy of the book!
August 27, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I just received my first copy of the book!
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
@stevenerlanger.bsky.social on Europe, the US and security guarantees with my take in the @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/w...
It’s One Thing to Promise Ukraine Security. It’s Quite Another to Deliver.
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
@stevenerlanger.bsky.social on Europe, the US and security guarantees with my take in the @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/w...
Reposted by Iskander Rehman
The debate about acquiring nuclear weapons in Japan and South Korea is increasingly coming into the mainstream. www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Trump shock spurs Japan to think about the unthinkable: nuclear arms
In Japan and South Korea there is deepening concern over the reliability of long-time American security guarantees – whether the U.S. will come to their aid in the event of a war. This has been turbo-charged by Donald Trump’s tough treatment of traditional U.S. allies, which has some in Tokyo and Seoul calling for a reassessment of their non-nuclear policies.
www.reuters.com
August 20, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The debate about acquiring nuclear weapons in Japan and South Korea is increasingly coming into the mainstream. www.reuters.com/investigatio...