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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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected]” Books Mentioned Everett 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 [email protected]” Books Stathis 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 [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.

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 episode Bernard 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.