Books to Battles

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon welcome Dr. Paige Reid to discuss the SAASS thesis process and where students currently stand in the project timeline. The conversation explains how students move from an initial research puzzle to a refined strategic argument through research, writing, and faculty mentorship. The hosts explore common challenges in the thesis process—including writer’s block, research rabbit holes, and refining an argument—as well as the academic skills students develop along the way. The episode also highlights how completed theses contribute to the broader body of professional military education scholarship and occasionally evolve into published research.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.eduThe opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.

In this episode of Books to Battles, hosts Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon speak with Air University Press editors Michael Tate and Megan Hohen about the role of military academic journals in shaping professional debate within the Air Force and Space Force. The discussion explores how the Air University journals support warfighter education by publishing research on airpower, spacepower, deterrence, and multi-domain operations. Tate and Hohen explain the submission and peer-review process, the challenges facing academic publishing, and recent efforts to consolidate Air University’s journals while maintaining high-quality scholarship. The conversation also highlights opportunities for military professionals to publish articles or book reviews as a form of professional development.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.eduAU Press SitesMain press website: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/ Email for submissions: aspj@au.af.edu Main Air and Space Power Journal Site: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ASPJ/ Submission guidelines: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ASPJ/Submission-Guidelines/ Book review site: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ASPJ/Book-Reviews/Books-for-Review/ The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon examine the 2026 National Defense Strategy through the lens of international relations theory and contemporary events. They discuss the document’s emphasis on realism, homeland defense, deterrence of China, increased burden-sharing with allies, and revitalization of the defense industrial base. The hosts analyze notable departures from previous strategies, including the reframing of border security as a national defense mission and the articulation of a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine. Throughout the conversation, they connect the strategy’s themes to current events and explore the implications for U.S. grand strategy and civil–military roles.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.eduBooks MentionedPeter Hegseth, The 2026 National Defense Strategy (Department of War, 2026), https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF.Christopher Hemmer, American Pendulum: Recurring Debates in US Grand Strategy (Cornell University Press, 2015).Robert Pape, Bombing to Win: Airpower and Coercion in War (Cornell University Press, 1996).The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.

In this episode, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon are joined by Lt Col Rachel Reynolds and Lt Col Ben “Hojo” Heidenreich to discuss SAASS 667, Information and Cyber Power. The conversation explores how the course examines influence, subversion, cyber operations, and the role of narratives in contemporary competition, drawing on historical and current case studies such as Ukraine and great-power rivalry. The guests describe how the course connects theory to practice, helping students think strategically about information and cyber effects rather than focusing solely on technical details. The episode also highlights the course’s innovative AI-based evaluation exercise, which challenges students to critically assess the strengths and limitations of large language models in strategic analysis. If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.edu Books MentionedJennifer Yoder, WWII Memory and Contested Commemorations in Europe and Russia (Oxford University Press, 2024)Kenneth Alan Osgood, Total Cold War: Eisenhower’s Secret Propaganda Battle at Home and Abroad (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas, 2006). Andreas Krieg, Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives, (Georgetown University Press, 2023) Daniel Moore, Offensive Cyber Operations: Understanding Intangible Warfare (Oxford University Press, 2021). Jon R. Lindsay, Age of Deception: Intelligence and Cybersecurity in an Era of Information Warfare (Cornell University Press, 2025). Nicole Perlroth, This is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyber-Weapons Arms Race. (New York, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021). Michael P. Fischerkeller, Emily O. Goldman, Richard J. Harknett and Paul M. Nakasone. Cyber Persistence Theory: Redefining National Security in Cyberspace. (Oxford University Press, 2022). The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.

In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon are joined by Col. Brendon “Herb” Herbeck and Lt. Col. Rob Gharrity, SAASS alumni currently serving at U.S. Space Command. Herb and Rob reflect on their experiences at SAASS and how the program shaped their professional development. The discussion explores how the school’s emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and strategic analysis continues to inform their work in joint and space-focused planning roles. The alumni describe how key readings, thesis research, and interactions with faculty remain relevant years after graduation. The episode also examines contemporary challenges in space strategy, including alliance integration, disclosure of capabilities, and the evolving relationship between the Space Force and U.S. Space Command.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.edu”Books MentionedEverett C. Dolman, Astropolitik: Classical Geopolitics in Space (Routledge, 2002).Mark Bowden, Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2017)H. R. McMaster, Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam (Harper Perennial, 1998.)Helen V. Milner and Dustin Tingley, Sailing the Water’s Edge: The Domestic Politics of American Foreign Policy (Princeton University Press, 2016).Yuen Foong Khong, Analogies at War: Korea, Munich, Dien Bien Phu, and the Vietnam Decisions of 1965. (Princeton University Press, 1992).“The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.”

In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon are joined by SAASS 644, Irregular War, teaching team members, Drs. Lina Svedin and Rob Hutchinsonto discuss the class and its place within the curriculum. The conversation explores how the course conceptualizes irregular warfare, the distinction between war and warfare, and the roles of state and non-state actors in pursuing political objectives through violence. The guests outline the course’s structure, moving from foundational theory to historical case studies, including counterinsurgency, civil war, and great-power competition. The episode highlights how irregular war challenges traditional strategic thinking and prepares students to grapple with complex, imbalanced conflicts.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.edu” BooksStathis N. Kalyvas, The Logic of Violence in Civil War (Cambridge University Press, 2006).Stephen Biddle, Nonstate Warfare: The Military Methods of Guerillas, Warlords, and Militias (Princeton University Press, 2022).David Galula, Pacification in Algeria, 1956-1957 (Rand Corporation, 2002). “The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.”

In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon analyze House of Dynamite, a recent film depicting a nuclear missile crisis from multiple institutional and human perspectives. The discussion examines how the movie portrays early warning, missile defense, crisis decision-making, and civil–military relations under extreme time pressure and uncertainty. The hosts assess the realism of command-and-control procedures, escalation dynamics, and the emotional burden placed on political leaders and military advisors. The episode uses the film as a lens to explore enduring themes in deterrence, escalation, and nuclear decision-making.If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at bookstobattles@au.af.edu.The opinions expressed here are those of the hosts or the guests and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of the Air Force, the Depart of Defense, or the United States Government.

Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon welcome the teaching team for SAASS 633: Coercion and Deterrence in Theory and Practice. Dr. Paige Reid and Lt Col Rachel Reynolds discuss the origins and evolution of the course along with its central question: “how do you get someone to do what you want them to do?” The team breaks down why the class drops students straight into the nuclear age, how thinkers like Brodie, Schelling, and Pape square off, and why debates over airpower, punishment, and denial still matter today. They also dig into the emotional side of coercion, sparring with Markwica’s challenge to the rational-actor model. The episode closes with an inside look at the course’s culminating tabletop exercise, which pushes students to apply theories of coercion to contemporary great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific.Books mentioned in this episodeBernard Brodie, Strategy in the Missile Age (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016).Thomas C. Schelling, Arms and Influence (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2020).Daniel Byman and Matthew C. Waxman The Dynamics of Coercion: American Foreign Policy and the Limits of Military Might (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002).Brad Roberts, The Case for US Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century (Stanford: Stanford Security Studies, an imprint of Stanford University Press, 2016).Robert A. Pape, Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1996).Robin Markwica, Emotional Choices: How the Logic of Affect Shapes Coercive Diplomacy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018).

In this end-of-year episode, the hosts review a turbulent 2025, focusing in particular on December’s rapid sequence of national security developments. They examine U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, the evolving use of economic and military coercion against Venezuela, and historical parallels to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The discussion situates these actions within coercion and deterrence theory, highlighting the importance of clearly defined political objectives. The episode concludes with an assessment of the newly released National Security Strategy, its emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, and what it signals for U.S. strategy heading into the new year.

In this episode, the team talks with Lt Col JoLynn Tatum, a clinical psychologist and Air War College faculty member, about the state of mental health in the military. She explains common challenges service members face—often less PTSD than everyday stressors like relationships, sleep, depression, and anxiety—and why stigma and career fears still keep many from seeking help. Tatum discusses rising suicide rates, the limits of current resources, and the importance of early intervention, coping skills, and community support. She also outlines what signs should prompt someone to seek care and highlights the range of military and civilian resources available. The conversation offers a candid, practical guide to recognizing stress, reducing stigma, and encouraging healthier help-seeking behavior across the force.

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon are joined by Lt. Col. Joshua Cobb, U.S. Army, for a candid deep dive into the complexities of military acquisitions reform. Drawing on his broad experience across infantry, missile defense, special operations, and requirements writing, Josh explains why the U.S. system struggles with speed, agility, and risk acceptance. The conversation breaks down historical shifts—from post–Cold War consolidation to post-9/11 urgency—and how today’s focus on attritable systems and rapid iteration challenges long-standing processes. They also explore the tension between accountability, statutory limits, and the need to field capabilities faster in a world shaped by Ukraine, drone warfare, and great-power competition. The result is a grounded, insightful look at what real reform requires—and why it’s so hard.

In this episode, Wendy and Cory sit down with Dr. Tom Hughes, Col. Neil “Gump” Dimmitt, and Lt. Col. Ben “Hojo” Heidenreich to unpack the SAASS course Airpower in Limited War. They explore how the course traces airpower’s evolution from World War II into the era of politically constrained, technologically advanced limited conflicts, and how instructors choose which 80 years of history to cover in just 15 days. The group discusses major themes—nuclear strategy, Vietnam, the space race, drones, and civil–military decision-making—as well as the challenges of teaching during the recent government shutdown. They also highlight key readings that help students understand how organizations learn, adapt, and prepare for future wars.

Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon reunite after a 43-day government shutdown and discuss how the furlough affected faculty, students, and operations at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. They then examine ongoing U.S. military activity in the Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear, exploring the legal, strategic, and regional political implications of recent strikes on narco-trafficking vessels. The conversation expands to great-power dynamics in the Western Hemisphere, including the roles of Colombia, Mexico, China, and Russia. Finally, they assess new developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on long-range strikes, hypersonic weapons, drones, and what these trends suggest about airpower, force design, and the evolving challenge of achieving air superiority in modern conflict.

Hiatus Announcement: The Books to Battles team is taking a break for the remainder of the U.S. government is shutdown. We'll be back with full episodes as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Lina Svedin and Dr. Paige Reid discuss SAASS 632, International Relations. They explore the major theories, concepts, and debates that frame the study of global politics, highlighting how these ideas intersect with strategy and security. With readings on theory, strategic narratives, and power and change, the course challenges students to think critically about the international system and the role of air and space power within it. Their conversation illustrates how theory equips strategists to navigate today’s complex global environment.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wes Hutto discusses his new textbook Understanding International Security. He introduces the core themes and frameworks that shape the field, from great power competition to emerging challenges in cyber and space. Dr. Hutto explains how the book blends theory and practice to prepare students and professionals for today’s complex global environment. The conversation highlights the importance of critical thinking, historical grounding, and strategic insight in navigating contemporary questions of war and peace.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.

In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Milena Jakšić examines the Luftwaffe’s operational air warfare during World War II and what it can teach us today. She explores how German airpower adapted—or failed to adapt—to strategic and operational challenges, and the consequences that followed. Drawing lessons for modern military professionals, Dr. Jakšić highlights enduring themes in the relationship between doctrine, innovation, and strategic effectiveness, showing how history can inform contemporary approaches to air and space power.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.

In this episode of Books to Battles, the hosts tackle a set of pressing current events shaping strategy today. They discuss the upcoming Artemis II mission and its implications for U.S. space leadership, examine Russian incursions into Polish airspace and their impact on NATO security, and consider the forthcoming National Defense Strategy. Together, these conversations highlight how technological ambition, geopolitical tensions, and policy choices intersect—illustrating the challenges and opportunities facing air and space strategists in an increasingly complex global environment.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.

In this second episode featuring thesis award winners we spotlight three outstanding thesis award winners from SAASS Class 34: Curtis Sinewe, Philip Jenkins, and Joe Regan. Each shares the insights and discoveries from their research, along with reflections on the thesis process itself. From innovative approaches to strategy to lessons learned along the way, their conversation highlights the intellectual rigor and creativity that define the SAASS experience and demonstrates how fresh scholarship can inform the future of air and space power.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.

In this first part of a special two part series, Books to Battles highlights the SAASS thesis program and Class 34 award winners. This week's episode begins with Dr. John Maurer, director of the program, who explains its goals, rigor, and impact on strategic education. The conversation then turns to Chance Smith, recipient of the David R. Mets Award for History, who discusses his research, key findings, and the process behind crafting an award-winning thesis. Together, their insights reveal the intellectual depth and professional significance of the SAASS thesis journey.All views expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organization.