This episode of the MWI Podcast features two very special guests. Dr. Richard Shultz is the Lee E. Dirks Professor of International Politics and Director of the International Security Studies Program at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. And Gen. Richard Clarke is the commander of US Special Operations Command.
The discussion in the episode focuses on the question of how special operations forces are integrating high-tech tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize the way they operate. Dr. Shultz and Gen. Clarke also trace the history of US special operations forces’ efforts in Iraq to adapt to the counterterrorism fight there, explain how these forces made use of data to enable a remarkably rapid operational tempo, and describe how a program called Project Maven took shape to harness new technological capabilities.
Dr. Shultz has researched and written about special operations forces and technology extensively, and Gen. Clarke has spent much of his thirty-six-year military career in special operations units. Together, their deep experience and unique perspectives offer valuable insights into a fascinating and important topic.
Dr. Shultz and Gen. Clarke also authored an article on this topic that serves as a complement to this conversation. You can read that article here.
Listen to the full episode below or find it wherever you get your podcasts—Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, or your favorite podcast app. And be sure to subscribe to the MWI Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!
Image credit: Technical Sgt. Luke R. Sturm, US Air National Guard