Free Daily Podcast Summary
Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bill Buppert
An unauthorized podcast series peeking behind the curtain at the vast machinery and briar patch politics of fighting terrorism and insurgency and everything in between. I'm a "COINtra" and not a "COINdinista", the latter are the vast army of apparatchiks and apologists who fire the engines of Irregular Warfare (IW) planet-wide. We're the skeptics and doubters of all things IW and special operations. And we are a tiny sliver of the IW community. I have noticed a jarring gap in this part of the discussion and intend on filling the breach.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago54 min
Ep 087 "Hybrid Warfare in the New Age: Japan Expands the Conflict Aperture (Part Two)"
Hybrid warfare Is a can of worms, a fascinating conjoining of kinetic and non-kinetic means of achieving victory or stale between warring nations.This second episode examines an historical example of what I think is the closest modern hybrid warfare modality in the Japanese Empire in the 1930s leading to WWII; the.Imperial Japanese Army’s Tokumu Kikan – Special Service Organizations that laid the groundwork for this phenomenon in the modern west.References:Richard J. Samuels Special Duty: A History of the Japanese Intelligence CommunityJohn Llewelyn The Imperial Japanese Army’s Tokumu Kikan – Special Service Organisations: Connections Between Wartime and Peacetime Intelligence ActivitiesReport to Congress on Russian Hybrid Warfare in Europe 11 August 2026The Future of Hybrid WarfareHybrid Warfare: How to Escape the Conceptual Gray-ZoneThe Evolution of Hybrid Warfare: Implications for Strategy and the Military ProfessionRichard Feynman Cargo Cult speech at CalTech 1974RAND wish-casting on drones in 2015.Slaughterbots (2017)Slaughterbots: if human: kill() (2021)How are Drones Changing Modern Warfare?Sun Tzu The Art of WarCarl von Clausewitz On WarMiyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to StrategyH. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to WarfareChristian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech WarfareQiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy AmericaMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
- 4 weeks ago49 min
Ep 086 "Hybrid Warfare in the New Age: Stretching the Envelope (Part One)"
Hybrid warfare Is a can of worms, a fascinating conjoining of kinetic and non-kinetic means of achieving victory or stale between warring nations. This first episode tries to lay the ground work of what it is and in the next two episodes we will examine an historical and a contemporary example of hybrid warfare in meat-space.References:Report to Congress on Russian Hybrid Warfare in Europe 11 August 2026The Future of Hybrid WarfareHybrid Warfare: How to Escape the Conceptual Gray-ZoneThe Evolution of Hybrid Warfare: Implications for Strategy and the Military ProfessionRichard Feynman Cargo Cult speech at CalTech 1974RAND wish-casting on drones in 2015.Slaughterbots (2017)Slaughterbots: if human: kill() (2021)How are Drones Changing Modern Warfare?Sun Tzu The Art of WarCarl von Clausewitz On WarMiyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to StrategyH. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to WarfareChristian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech WarfareQiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy AmericaMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
- Jul 6, 202652 min
Ep 085 "Home is the High Ground: Reimagining a New Hermit Kingdom"
I discuss the possibilities of America relinquishing its global ambition to reduce its footprint to a regional hegemon in the Western hemisphere. The new technologies of AI, UAVs and hypersonics rather easily challenge the spending paradigms and mission architecture of the American armed forces.There are no near-peer competitors, every nation on Earth is now a peer to modern western war machines.America boasts a magnificent 20th century war machine is not fit for purpose for 21st century peer warfare.The crossroads is chock-full of landmines.References:Christian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech WarfareQiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy AmericaMartin van CreveldThe Transformation of War: The Most Radical Reinterpretation of Armed Conflict Since ClausewitzFighting Power: German and U.S. Army Performance, 1939-1945Colin GrayStrategy and History: Essays on Theory and PracticeFighting Talk: Forty Maxims on War, Peace, and StrategyWilliam Lind Maneuver Warfare HandbookJohn Boyd Patterns of ConflictMichael Weiner Legacy of Ashes: History of the CIAJohn Prado The Ghosts of Langley: Into the CIA's Heart of DarknessSun Tzu The Art of WarCarl von Clausewitz On WarMiyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to StrategyH. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to WarfareMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
- Jun 7, 202656 min
Ep 084 "Blood in the Water: The US Navy is Sinking"
The US Navy is lost at sea and in the thrall of exquisite platform that be the maritime tombs of tens of thousands of sailors in the coming wars of the 21st century.The acquisition system is broken beyond repair, burn it down.The aircraft carrier has been a signature component of US naval power and prestige for more than a century. The utility has continued to diminish since the end of WWII. The tremendous disadvantage of putting so much manpower and treasure into these single use leviathan systems in the modern world of distributed missile and PGM systems, emerging near-peer & peer adversaries and concentration of power in vulnerable systems is a recipe for future disaster.The US Navy surface fleet is in tatters and shattered by readiness, maintenance and armament issues that are critical indicators of a navy totally unprepared.More on the carrier dilemma in Chasing Ghosts Episode #034, WarNotes #10 and Dispatch #006.Note: This post is published a little early due to my attendance at the Military Operations Research Society Annual Symposium in CO this week.References:The Documents Exist: Nobody Assigned Them As Mandatory Reading.What Would Rickover Do?Jeff Vandenengel National Policy and the Panoceanic NavyJames D, Hornfischer Who Can Hold the Sea: The U.S. Navy in the Cold War 1945-1960Gregory Vistica Fall from Glory: The Men Who Sank the U.S. NavyMichael Junge Crimes of Command: in the United States Navy, 1945-2015Gerry Doyle Carrier Killer: China's Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles and Theater of Operations in the early 21st CenturyDavid Lee Russell Early U.S. Navy Carrier Raids, February-April 1942: Five Operations That Tested a New Dimension of American Air PowerJeff Vandenengel Questioning the Carrier: Opportunities in Fleet Design for the U.S. NavyJeff Vandenengel interview on Midrats with CDR SalamanderIvan Gogin Fighting ships of the PEOPLE LIBERATION ARMY NAVY 1949 - 2023Jerry Hendrix Retreat From Range: The Rise and Fall of Carrier AviationMy SubstackWrite me at cgpodcast@pm.me
- May 25, 202650 min
Ep 083 "Memorial Day Remembrance 2026: Oceans of Blood, Wars of Choice""
I discuss the darker side of celebrating war and the moral injury of wars of choice. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and an existential wake.This day is about the ashes of victory and blood lakes of defeat. I show how the American way of war is far more brutal and murderous than the usual suspects let on..***This episode is not for the squeamish or faint of heart.***U.S. WAR CRIMES IN THE PHILIPPINESJames M. Scott Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of ManilaHoward Jones My Lai: Vietnam, 1968, and the Descent into DarknessKarl Marlantes What It Is Like to Go to WarBill Russel Edmonds God is Not Here: A Soldier's Struggle with Torture, Trauma, and the Moral Injuries of WarClark Savage King of All Things: A Guide to Man's Martial PurposeDick Couch A Tactical Ethic: Moral Conduct in the Insurgent BattlespaceAndrew Bacevich Paths of Dissent: Soldiers Speak Out Against America's Misguided WarsShauna Springer WARRIOR: How to Support Those Who Protect UsJonathan Shay Achilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of CharacterJonathan Shay Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of HomecomingAnother podcast:Martyrmade: Anything That Moves - The My Lai Massacre (w/History on Fire)Email me at cgpodcast@pm.meMy Substack
- May 11, 202635 min
Ep 082 "The CG Mailbag: Question Time"
It's been quite some time since I have responded to "mail" so I have curated five questions to address:.What should the USAF do now?Is fraud a form of irregular warfare?What should the DoW do with 1.5 trillion dollars?References:Unauthorized History of the Pacific War PodcastRAND wish-casting on drones in 2015.Slaughterbots (2017)Slaughterbots: if human: kill() (2021)How are Drones Changing Modern Warfare?Sun Tzu The Art of WarCarl von Clausewitz On WarMiyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to StrategyH. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to WarfareChristian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech WarfareQiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy AmericaMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
- Apr 13, 20261h 2m
Ep 081 "Strategic Empathy: Grokking the Pendulum of Indecision"
I examine the strategic deficit disorder that absolutely dominates the US and western military establishmentsI speak to the tools and critical thinking modalities that could spark and encourage competent martial imagination. Moral courage is necessary to tell the flag officer dullards and their Senior Executive Service (SES) necromancers that the emperor has no clothes.If not, the unblemished record of defeat and stalemate will continue.I describe some of the reasons I do it and the techniques I employ to get the single most accurate picture of what happened then to determine what’s going on now.Note: The list of sources is limited here due to RSS but my Substack is more comprehensive.Recommended Listening:On Strategic EmpathyRecommended Reading:Christian Madsbjerg Sensemaking: The Power of the Humanities in the Age of the AlgorithmJohnson and Abbe Developing Strategic Empathy and Perspective Taking in MilitaryZachary Shore A Sense of the Enemy: The High Stakes History of Reading Your Rival's MindDave Snowden Cynefin - Weaving Sense-Making into the Fabric of Our WorldMortimer Adler How To Read a BookRobert Strassler The Landmark Xenophon's Hellenika (Landmark Series)Mike Snook How Can Man Die Better: The Secrets of Isandlwana RevealedMike Snook Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke’s DriftDavid Stahel Operation Barbarossa and Germany's Defeat in the EastDavid Hackett Fischer Historians' Fallacies : Toward a Logic of Historical ThoughtKeith Windschuttle The Killing of HistoryJohn Burrow A History of Histories: Epics, Chronicles, and Inquiries from Herodotus and Thucydides to the Twentieth CenturyHarry Elmer Barnes A History of Historical WritingUS Army Center of Military HistoryMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
- Mar 30, 202657 min
Ep 080 "The Cargo Cult of Martial Belief, Wishcasting and Bloodshed"
Episode 100!Well, when I combine the 20 episodes of WarNotes with the CG podcasts but a chance to pop the bubbly anyway.Today we discuss the critical lack of critical thinking that has led the US into the unenviable position of being an extraordinarily 20th century fighting force nor fit for purpose for 21st century peer combat.It will get worse.I'll offer some more recommendations and a path forward.References:Richard Feynman Cargo Cult speech at CalTech 1974RAND wish-casting on drones in 2015.Slaughterbots (2017)Slaughterbots: if human: kill() (2021)How are Drones Changing Modern Warfare?Sun Tzu The Art of WarCarl von Clausewitz On WarMiyamoto Musashi A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to StrategyH. John Poole The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to WarfareChristian Brose The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech WarfareQiao Liang & Wang Xiangsui Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy AmericaMy SubstackEmail at cgpodcast@pm.me
Get Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Irregular Warfare Podcast
Examines irregular warfare through expert discussions on small wars, special operations, counterterrorism, and conflict tactics.
The Team House
Deep-dive conversations on national security with special operations veterans, intelligence professionals, and frontline reporters.
Mission Implausible
Former CIA officers investigate the truth behind conspiracy theories and disinformation using their intelligence expertise.
School of War
Discussions with military leaders, policymakers, and historians on the strategy, history, and consequences of war.
Combat Story
Veterans share unfiltered stories of combat, detailing their paths to service, pivotal moments in battle, and the lasting impact of war.
SOFREP Radio
Military news and discussions with former special operations personnel.
The Just Security Podcast
Expert analysis of national security, foreign policy, and rights from practitioners, academics, and affected individuals.
WEAPONIZED with Jeremy Corbell & George Knapp
Investigates UFOs, paranormal events, and government cover-ups through interviews with whistleblowers, scientists, and military officials.
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
A daily news podcast breaking down key U.S. issues and interviewing influential figures from an independent political perspective.
The Lawfare Podcast
Discussions with experts on national security, law, and policy covering foreign policy, intelligence, cybersecurity, and governance.
The Lawfare Podcast: Patreon Edition
Experts and policymakers discuss national security, law, and policy issues including foreign policy, intelligence, and cybersecurity.
The Afterburn Podcast
Follows the personal experiences of military pilots and service members through their missions and aircraft.
About Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast
An unauthorized podcast series peeking behind the curtain at the vast machinery and briar patch politics of fighting terrorism and insurgency and everything in between. I'm a "COINtra" and not a "COINdinista", the latter are the vast army of apparatchiks and apologists who fire the engines of Irregular Warfare (IW) planet-wide. We're the skeptics and doubters of all things IW and special operations. And we are a tiny sliver of the IW community. I have noticed a jarring gap in this part of the discussion and intend on filling the breach.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Bill Buppert.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast release new episodes?
Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast cover?
Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast covers topics including History, Documentary, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Chasing Ghosts: An Irregular Warfare Podcast summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.