Think.Fight.Learn.Repeat.

What happens when a small team of Ukrainian soldiers outperforms two NATO battalions in a major military exercise?In this episode, we sit down with defence expert Bryan Daugherty to unpack his provocative War on the Rocks article of NATO’s recent training with Ukrainian forces, and why it reveals the importance of training to failure to adapt and innovate.Bryan explains how Ukraine has developed a faster, more adaptive way of fighting, one built on rapid innovation, decentralized decision-making, and real-world combat feedback. During our discussion, we explore NATO's Exercise Hedgehog 2025, where expectations diverged from reality, and why that gap matters far beyond the training environment. The conversation also dives into the evolving NATO–Ukraine partnership, the challenges of integrating hard-earned battlefield lessons, and the risks of misinterpretation.

This week, we sit down with Lucas Ziller, U.S. Army officer and military scholar, to explore modern strategic competition and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Lucas is the author of the article, “A Hybrid Deterrence Model for Countering China,” published in the Spring 2026 issue of Parameters.In this episode, we discuss:The limits of traditional deterrence in addressing China’s coercive strategiesHow a hybrid approach combining diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools can strengthen U.S. strategic posturePractical frameworks for countering Chinese influence below the threshold of armed conflictInsights from Lucas’s military and academic experience on modern deterrenceRead Lucas’s article:A Hybrid Deterrence Model for Countering ChinaWhether you’re a student of international security, military strategy, or global affairs, this episode provides a deep dive into one of today’s most pressing strategic challenges.

Further Reading & ReferencesManoeuvre Warfare in the BalticRevisiting the Idea of Sanctuary RussiaTargeting the Russian Rear Zone in a Hypothetical Baltic WarStrategic Theory and Clausewitz’s Trinitarian TestIn this episode, we sit down with Lukas Milevski to discuss his 2024 RUSI Journal article on manoeuvre warfare in the Baltic region. Together, we explore how geography, force posture, and geopolitical constraints shape the challenges of modern warfare on NATO’s northeastern flank.Lukas breaks down the core principles of manoeuvre warfare and examines whether they remain viable in the uniquely constrained and contested environment of the Baltics. From questions of speed, surprise, and initiative to the realities of terrain, logistics, and adversary capabilities, this conversation dives into the tension between theory and practice.Whether you're a student of military history, a defence professional, or simply interested in contemporary security issues, this episode offers a jarring look at one of today’s most strategically significant regions.

In the second half of my conversation with Fight Club International co-founder Ed Farren, we explore how he envisions Fight Club fitting into the broader wargaming community, along with its future projects and his long-term vision for the organization.

In the inaugural episode of Think. Fight. Learn. Repeat., host Lex Luciak speaks with Ed Farren, co-founder of Fight Club International, a global network dedicated to improving how professionals think about conflict through wargaming and debate. In Part 1 of this conversation, they explore the origins of Fight Club and why critical thinking and wargaming matter more than ever in defence and today's strategic environment.