Books to Battles

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.

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 bookstobattles@au.af.edu Books MentionedChristopher 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.

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 bookstobattles@au.af.edu Books MentionedShyam 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.

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.

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, 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. 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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. 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.