Books to Battles
- Episódios
- 58
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 11 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
Books to Battles is the official podcast of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), where rigorous academic thought meets real-world military application. In each episode, we'll take you inside our school to explore its courses, students, and faculty. We'll show how foundational ideas—from classic works of strategy to cutting-edge scholarship—inform the development and execution of air and space power in today’s complex strategic environment. Join us as we bridge the gap between theory and practice, bringing deep intellectual insight to the art of war in the air and beyond.
All views expressed in this series are the speakers' own and are not necessarily reflective of the Department of Defense, the US government, or any other affiliated organizations.
Episódios 58
Arms Control
In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. John Maurer joins the conversation to explore the past, present, and future of arms control. From Cold War agreements to today’s increasingly complex nuclear landscape …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. John Maurer joins the conversation to explore the past, present, and future of arms control. From Cold War agreements to today’s increasingly complex nuclear landscape, Maurer examines the strategic logic behind arms control, the challenges facing existing agreements, and the prospects for future cooperation. The discussion considers whether arms control can remain an effective tool for managing competition and reducing the risks of conflict.
After America's First Battles
A military can learn, adapt, and still lose the war. Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Colonel Cory Hollon join Gregory Hospidor and Sanders Marble to discuss why in After America’s First Battles, 1861–2008. From …
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A military can learn, adapt, and still lose the war. Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Colonel Cory Hollon join Gregory Hospidor and Sanders Marble to discuss why in After America’s First Battles, 1861–2008. From amphibious operations to air campaigns in Europe and Vietnam, the conversation examines why forces can change how they fight while leaving their assumptions about victory intact. Commanders, service culture, and bureaucratic barriers shape which lessons move beyond the battlefield and which remain trapped at the tactical level. For strategists, the challenge is recognizing when better execution leaves the larger problem unsolved.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
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 War, or the United States Government.
Books Mentioned
Charles E. Heller and William A. Stofft, America's First Battles, 1776-1965 (UP of Kansas, 1986).
Fiction Series 4 - A Memory Called Empire
In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Colonel Cory Hollon welcome Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Reynolds to discuss Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire and its connections to the …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Colonel Cory Hollon welcome Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Reynolds to discuss Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire and its connections to the Foundations of International Politics course. Poetry, memory technology, and an imperial succession struggle become ways to examine soft power, domestic politics, and strategies of denial. The discussion asks whether institutions can survive without the military power behind them and how smaller powers can make conquest costly. For strategists, the challenge is choosing the theory that helps explain the problem in front of them. Throughout, the hosts examine what fiction reveals about the possibilities and limits of applying international relations theories to complex strategic problems.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
Books Mentioned
John J. Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (WW Norton & Co., 2014).
Robert O. Keohane, After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in World Political Economy (Princeton UP, 2004).
Robert Gilpin, War and Change in World Politics (Cambridge UP, 1981).
Jeff Pearlman, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur (Mariner Books, 2025).
Everett Dolman, Pure Strategy: Power and Principle in the Space and Information Age (Routledge, 2005).
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 War, or the United States Government.
The Trip
In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon speak with Dr. Rob Hutchinson, SAASS Dean of Academics, about the school’s field study in Germany and its role in educating …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon speak with Dr. Rob Hutchinson, SAASS Dean of Academics, about the school’s field study in Germany and its role in educating strategists. They explain how student research and discussions at historical sites connect classroom study to enduring questions about airpower, great-power competition, and the human consequences of strategic decisions. Stops including the Fulda Gap, Schweinfurt, Dresden, and Berlin provide opportunities to examine defense planning, strategic bombing, and the Berlin Airlift. Visits to Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora prompt discussion of the relationship between Nazi war production, forced labor, and the subsequent development of space technology. The conversation also explores how museums and memorials construct historical narratives and how engagements with American and German officials connect those histories to contemporary European security. The trip brings abstract strategic problems into contact with terrain, human suffering, and the choices facing an ally today.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Joseph Maiolo, Cry Havoc: The Arms Race and the Second World War, 1931–1941 (Basic Books, 2012).
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 Department of Defense or War, or the United States Government.
Strategy and Airpower in the East and South China Seas
In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon welcome Dr. Jared McKinney, Dr. Chris Colley, and Col. James Day to discuss their contributions to Strategy and Airpower in the …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon welcome Dr. Jared McKinney, Dr. Chris Colley, and Col. James Day to discuss their contributions to Strategy and Airpower in the East and South China Sea. Colley examines the gap between the announced U.S. pivot to Asia and changes in military force posture, including its effects on Chinese perceptions. McKinney explores alternative U.S. responses to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, including support short of direct war and scenarios in which Chinese actions could draw the United States into conflict. Day and Hollon discuss how airpower and joint all-domain operations could strengthen deterrence through survivability, flexibility, and temporary operational advantages. The discussion tests strategic ambitions against operational realities while asking whether Americans adequately understand the Chinese calculations they hope to influence.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Michael A. Hunzeker and Mark A. Christopher, America’s Taiwan Dilemma: Allies’ Reactions and the Stakes for US Reputation (Cambria Press, 2025).
Jared McKinney, ed., Closing the Deterrence Gap in the Taiwan Straits (Air University Press, 2026, projected).
Jessica Chen Weiss, What China Wants: And What It Means for the World (Oxford University Press, 2027).
Henry Kissinger, On China (Penguin Books, 2012).
Amos C. Fox and Franz-Stefan Gady, eds., Multidomain Operations: The Pursuit of Battlefield Dominance in the 21st Century (Howgate Publishing Limited, 2026).
Robert Jervis, Perception and Misperception in International Politics (Princeton University Press).
X. “The Sources of Soviet Conduct.” Foreign Affairs 25, no. 4 (1947): 566–82.
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 Department of Defense or War, or the United States Government.
Space Weapons
The United States has publicly acknowledged on-orbit space control weapons for the first time. What does that announcement mean for deterrence, strategy, and the future of military competition in space? Dr …
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The United States has publicly acknowledged on-orbit space control weapons for the first time. What does that announcement mean for deterrence, strategy, and the future of military competition in space? Dr. Derrick Frazier joins Books to Battles to unpack Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink’s remarks, explore the strategic logic behind space weapons, and consider how greater transparency about U.S. capabilities could shape an increasingly contested domain.
Fiction Series: Code Name Verity
In the latest installment of our fiction-a-month series, Books to Battles takes on Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity. Through the lens of SAASS’s Airpower in the Age of Total War course, we explore the novel’s …
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In the latest installment of our fiction-a-month series, Books to Battles takes on Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity. Through the lens of SAASS’s Airpower in the Age of Total War course, we explore the novel’s portrayal of air warfare, intelligence, resistance, and sacrifice during World War II. The conversation considers how fiction illuminates the human dimensions of airpower and the complex relationship between technology, strategy, and those who wage war.
Leadership in Unprecedented Times: Class XXXV Thesis Award Winners
What happens when the mission arrives before the military is ready for it? In this episode of Books to Battles, Col. Cory Hollon speaks with Lt. Col. Ryan Hess and Maj. Elizabeth Townsend, thesis award winners …
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What happens when the mission arrives before the military is ready for it? In this episode of Books to Battles, Col. Cory Hollon speaks with Lt. Col. Ryan Hess and Maj. Elizabeth Townsend, thesis award winners from SAASS Class XXXV, about how military organizations adapt to unfamiliar demands. Townsend examines General Moorman’s role in integrating space capabilities into military operations and his evolving views on an independent Space Force. Hess explores Task Force Holloman’s reception of Afghan evacuees during Operation Allies Welcome, emphasizing leadership, interagency cooperation, and cultural understanding. Both cases reveal how much depends on leaders who can build relationships across organizations, give people room to act, and adapt as circumstances change. However, success can obscure the improvisation and communication failures that helped shape the outcome. Together, they discuss mission command, the limits of preparation, and the challenge of turning improvised successes into lasting institutional improvements.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
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.
The State of China Studies with Lyle Morris
Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb sits down with China scholar Lyle Morris to explore critical blind spots in the study of China’s military and strategic behavior. Drawing on his latest work, Morris examines the …
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Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb sits down with China scholar Lyle Morris to explore critical blind spots in the study of China’s military and strategic behavior. Drawing on his latest work, Morris examines the assumptions that shape Western analysis of China and identifies the political, military, economic, and international factors that could influence Beijing’s decision-making over Taiwan. The conversation highlights what analysts may be missing—and why it matters for strategy.
Discussion with General (R) Mike Minihan
General Mike Minihan, U.S. Air Force retired, joins Books to Battles for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, readiness, and the future of American airpower. Drawing on more than three decades of …
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General Mike Minihan, U.S. Air Force retired, joins Books to Battles for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, readiness, and the future of American airpower. Drawing on more than three decades of service—including command of Air Mobility Command and senior leadership roles in the Indo-Pacific—General Minihan reflects on preparing forces for great-power competition, building a warrior culture, and the lessons that have shaped his approach to leadership and warfighting.
Discussion with General Adrian Spain
On this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb sits down with General Adrian Spain, Commander of Air Combat Command, to discuss the challenges facing today’s Combat Air Forces. General Spain shares …
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On this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb sits down with General Adrian Spain, Commander of Air Combat Command, to discuss the challenges facing today’s Combat Air Forces. General Spain shares his perspectives on readiness, modernization, and preparing Airmen for future conflict, as well as the operational problems that demand greater attention. He also discusses the books and ideas shaping his thinking as a senior Air Force leader.
Fiction Series: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
In the second installment of our Fiction-a-Month series, Books to Battles turns to Robert Heinlein’s classic The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. We explore the novel’s depiction of revolution, resistance, political …
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In the second installment of our Fiction-a-Month series, Books to Battles turns to Robert Heinlein’s classic The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. We explore the novel’s depiction of revolution, resistance, political organization, and the strategic challenges facing a weaker actor confronting a more powerful adversary. Along the way, we connect Heinlein’s lunar rebellion to key concepts from the SAASS Military Theory course and consider what fiction can teach us about strategy and war.
Air Power Not Air Forces with Tobias Switzer
In this episode of Books to Battles, Tobias Bernard Switzer discusses his new RAND report, Air Power, Not Air Forces, and the lessons drawn from U.S. efforts to build partner aviation capabilities in Iraq and …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Tobias Bernard Switzer discusses his new RAND report, Air Power, Not Air Forces, and the lessons drawn from U.S. efforts to build partner aviation capabilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. Switzer argues that future security force assistance should prioritize generating effective combat airpower over replicating Western-style air force institutions, emphasizing affordable capabilities, sustainable support, and organizational approaches better suited to partner needs.
The Three Body Problem and International Relations
Join co-editors Dr. Wes Hutto and Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb for a discussion of The Three-Body Problem and International Relations, a new edited volume exploring what Cixin Liu's acclaimed science fiction trilogy …
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Join co-editors Dr. Wes Hutto and Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb for a discussion of The Three-Body Problem and International Relations, a new edited volume exploring what Cixin Liu's acclaimed science fiction trilogy can teach us about international relations and strategy. They discuss the book's origins, the value of fiction as a teaching tool, and how themes such as deterrence, diplomacy, strategy, and power help illuminate today's most pressing security challenges.
S3E2 - Dr. Peter Layton and Heterogeneous Airpower
In this episode of Books to Battles, Col. Cory Hollon speaks with Dr. Peter Layton, a retired Royal Australian Air Force officer and grand strategist, about his concept of heterogeneous air power. Layton argues …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, Col. Cory Hollon speaks with Dr. Peter Layton, a retired Royal Australian Air Force officer and grand strategist, about his concept of heterogeneous air power. Layton argues that the rising cost and complexity of manned combat aircraft has created a resilience problem for middle-power air forces, particularly in a prolonged war of attrition. Drawing on the Russia-Ukraine war, he examines how rockets, missiles, drones, and manned aircraft can combine to create an air force with greater resilience, scalability, and mass. The discussion explores the implications for air superiority, control of the air, precision warfare, industrial capacity, force design, and the future of air strategy and theory.
Fiction Series: The Heroes
In the first installment of our Fiction-a-Month miniseries, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb is joined by Lt Col Rachel Reynolds to explore Joe Abercrombie’s The Heroes. Together, they examine the novel’s insights on …
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In the first installment of our Fiction-a-Month miniseries, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb is joined by Lt Col Rachel Reynolds to explore Joe Abercrombie’s The Heroes. Together, they examine the novel’s insights on leadership, war, and strategy, connecting its themes to SAASS 601, Foundations of Strategy, and contemporary military thought.
For more information on this podcast and the series, please visit us at https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/SAASS/Podcast/.
Season Finale: Lt Gen Armagost and Book Club
In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon sit down with Lt Gen Jason Armagost, Deputy Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and the Class XXXV graduation speaker. They discuss strategic thinking …
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In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon sit down with Lt Gen Jason Armagost, Deputy Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and the Class XXXV graduation speaker. They discuss strategic thinking, military leadership, and the enduring value of intellectual curiosity. Drawing on his experiences as a commander, Stanford fellow, and lifelong reader, Lt Gen Armagost reflects on the role of liberal arts education, the relationship between theory and practice, and the importance of cultivating creativity and critical thinking within military organizations. The conversation explores reading as a tool for professional development, examines challenges posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and considers how future leaders can avoid technological determinism while adapting to a changing character of war. The conversation concludes with a discussion of recommended books, strategic education, and the challenges facing the next generation of air and space leaders.
STICK AROUND FOR THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT
After the discussion with Gen Armagost, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon welcome Lt Col Rachel Reynolds back to the show to introduce a new mini-series that looks at each class during the year through a work of fiction. The team will discuss the assigned book on the last Wednesday of every month throughout the next school year.
This is the last show for this season. Thank you to all who have tuned in and especially those who have reached out to offer feedback and suggestions. We look forward to seeing you in the next school year, starting at the end of June!
Books to Battles: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/SAASS/
Email: [email protected]
The SAASS Student Takeover
In this special episode of Books to Battles, members of SAASS Class XXXV take over the podcast to reflect on their experiences at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies as they prepare to graduate. The …
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In this special episode of Books to Battles, members of SAASS Class XXXV take over the podcast to reflect on their experiences at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies as they prepare to graduate. The students discuss why they chose SAASS, their impressions of the program, the challenges of the reading and thesis process, and the intellectual growth they experienced throughout the year. They also highlight the impact of the Germany staff ride, memorable courses and books, and the value of engaging with classmates and faculty from diverse professional and international backgrounds. Throughout the episode, the students emphasize how SAASS shaped the way they think about strategy, history, and military problem-solving.
Space Power Discussions: Test Gods
This week, we bring you a special preview of Space Power Discussions, a podcast series with episodes produced by our SAASS students. Find out more by searching "Space Power Discussions" on your preferred …
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This week, we bring you a special preview of Space Power Discussions, a podcast series with episodes produced by our SAASS students. Find out more by searching "Space Power Discussions" on your preferred podcast platform.
This episode of Space Power Discussions examines Test Gods, exploring the culture of experimental test pilots and risk in advancing aerospace capabilities. SAASS students connect lessons from flight testing to innovation, military space development, and strategic competition, highlighting how risk acceptance and experimentation shape the future of space power.
Space Power Discussions: The Power of the Space Club
This week, we bring you a special preview of Space Power Discussions, a podcast series with episodes produced by our SAASS students. Find out more by searching "Space Power Discussions" on your preferred …
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This week, we bring you a special preview of Space Power Discussions, a podcast series with episodes produced by our SAASS students. Find out more by searching "Space Power Discussions" on your preferred podcast platform.
This episode of Space Power Discussions explores The Power of the Space Club, examining how exclusive access to space capabilities shapes international politics. SAASS students analyze barriers to entry, prestige, and strategic influence, connecting the concept of a “space club” to today’s evolving domain and the implications for competition, cooperation, and emerging spacefaring nations.
SAASS 660: Technology and Innovation
In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon are joined by members of the SAASS 660 teaching team to discuss the course on Technology and Innovation and its role as the final course of the curriculum. The …
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In this episode, Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col. Hollon are joined by members of the SAASS 660 teaching team to discuss the course on Technology and Innovation and its role as the final course of the curriculum. The conversation examines how military innovation occurs, emphasizing the bureaucratic, organizational, and political challenges that shape the adoption of new ideas and technologies. The guests highlight the course’s focus on linking historical case studies to contemporary problems, encouraging students to think critically about how innovation is institutionalized. The episode also explores the course’s distinctive “Mother of All Briefings” exercise, which requires students to apply insights from past innovations to current technological challenges.
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Christopher J. Fuller, See It/Shoot It: The Secret History of the CIA's Lethal Drone Program (Yale University Press, 2017)
Michael W. Hankins, Flying Camelot (Cornell University Press, 2023)
Matt Hersch, Dark Star: A New History of the Space Shuttle (Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, 2023)
Trent Hone, Learning War: The Evolution of Fighting Doctrine in the US Navy, 1898-1945 (Naval Institute Press, 2018)
William H. McNiel, Pursuit of Power: Technology, Armed Force, and Society (University of Chicago Press, 1982)
Stephen Rosen, Winning the Next War: Innovations and the Modern Military (Cornell University Press, 1991)
Jacquelyn Schneider and Julia MacDonald, The Hand Behind Unmanned: Origins of the US Autonomous Military Arsenal (Oxford University Press, 2025)
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.
CSO Gen Chance Saltzman Interview
In this episode of Books to Battles, hosts Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon interview the Chief of Space Operations, the senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Space Force, General Chance Saltzman, Gen. Saltzman …
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In this episode of Books to Battles, hosts Dr. Whitman Cobb and Col Hollon interview the Chief of Space Operations, the senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Space Force, General Chance Saltzman, Gen. Saltzman traces his career from missile operations to leading a new military service and reflects on how the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies shaped his approach to critical thinking, communication, and strategy. He argues that space has transitioned from a supporting function to an integrated warfighting domain, requiring new doctrine, training models, and organizational structures. The conversation highlights the Space Force’s shift toward operating in contested environments, its growing integration into joint operations, and the strategic implications of commercial space partnerships. Saltzman concludes by assessing institutional progress and identifying force growth, training capacity, and resource execution as central challenges ahead.
Lt Gen (Ret) David Deptula Interview
In this episode, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon interview Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula about the role of air and space power in modern warfare and national security. Deptula discusses the mission of …
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In this episode, Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb and Col. Cory Hollon interview Lt Gen (Ret.) David Deptula about the role of air and space power in modern warfare and national security. Deptula discusses the mission of the Mitchell Institute, emphasizing the need to better educate policymakers and the public on the strategic importance of air and space capabilities. The conversation addresses contemporary debates over air superiority, the impact of drones and precision-guided munitions in Ukraine, and critiques arguments that these developments diminish the relevance of airpower. Throughout, Deptula argues that control of the air remains a fundamental condition for effective joint operations and highlights the importance of innovation, resilience, and clear strategic thinking.
Mitchell Institute Website: mitchellaerospacepower.org
If you have questions, comments, or episode recommendations, please email us at [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart, Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III (Bombardier Books, 2026)
Jack Broughton, Thud Ridge: Flying the F-105 Thunderchief in Combat Over Vietnam (Crecy Publishing Ltd., 1969)
Martin Caidin, Black Thursday: The Story of the Schweinfurt Raid (E.P. Dutton & Co., 1960)
USAF Doctrine Page: https://www.doctrine.af.mil/
Mitchell Institute Reading List: mitchellaerospacepower.org/aerospace-power-reading-list/
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.
Iran Redux
We’re pulling an episode out of the vault this week. We’ll be revisiting the June 2025 attacks on Iran in Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER. And while this week is a re-run, we’ve got a couple of exciting guests lined …
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We’re pulling an episode out of the vault this week. We’ll be revisiting the June 2025 attacks on Iran in Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER. And while this week is a re-run, we’ve got a couple of exciting guests lined up for the next couple of weeks. Keep watching this space! And if you could, like, subscribe, comment, and/or tell a friend - it all helps us reach a broad audience of national security and air and space power experts and advocates.
Original Notes
In this episode of Books to Battles, Dr. David Sorenson and Dr. Carl Forsberg of the Air War College join our hosts to analyze the recent strikes against Iran, examining their strategic objectives, regional implications, and potential ripple effects on global security. Drawing on their expertise in Middle East politics and military strategy, they unpack the historical context of Iranian relations with the United States and Israel, the events leading up to the strikes, and the decision-making calculus behind the strikes
Artemis
On this episode of Books to Battles, we explore NASA’s Artemis program and the upcoming Artemis II mission. We discuss its strategic significance, technological milestones, and implications for sustainable …
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On this episode of Books to Battles, we explore NASA’s Artemis program and the upcoming Artemis II mission. We discuss its strategic significance, technological milestones, and implications for sustainable lunar return and great power competition, highlighting how Artemis shapes the future of human spaceflight and international partnerships beyond Earth orbit.
SAASS 665 Space Power
On this episode of Books to Battles, we explore SAASS 665, Space Power, with Dr. Jim Tucci and Dr. Derrick Frazier. The episode examines how the course bridges theory and practice, tracing the evolution of …
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On this episode of Books to Battles, we explore SAASS 665, Space Power, with Dr. Jim Tucci and Dr. Derrick Frazier. The episode examines how the course bridges theory and practice, tracing the evolution of military space thought, key strategic debates, and the role of space in modern warfare.
Thesis Update
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 …
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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 [email protected]
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.
Air University Press and Journals
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 …
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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 [email protected]
AU Press Sites
Main press website: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/
Email for submissions: [email protected]
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.
The 2026 National Defense Strategy
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 …
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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 [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Peter 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.
SAASS 667: Information and Cyber Power
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 …
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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 [email protected]
Books Mentioned
Jennifer 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.
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