Ryan Evans

Washington, D.C.

Founder and CEO at War on the Rocks

CEO & Founder @BedrockSaaS & @WarontheRocks 🇺🇸

Articles

Introducing Cogs of War

5 days ago | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

It was 1940. War raged across Asia and Europe. America had not yet joined the war, but the country was beginning to prepare for the worst. Franklin D. Roosevelt sat in the White House, speaking to his fellow citizens in one of his famous fireside chats.
How America's Special Operators are Preparing for a High-Tech Future

2 weeks ago | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

Down in Tampa on the sidelines of SOF Week, Ryan spoke with Lt. Gen. Frank Donovan, vice commander of Special Operations Command, in front of a live audience about how America’s special operators are leading the way on the the future of warfare, from great power competition to data and AI — or, how our guest puts it, from the seabed to low earth orbit. Image: U.S. Marine Corps
The Army's Upcoming Transformation, with Secretary Driscoll and Gen. George

1 month ago | warontherocks.com | Daniel Driscoll |Randy George |Ryan Evans

Ryan popped across the Potomac to the Pentagon to speak with Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George about the ambitious Army Transformation Initiative. Following a directive from the secretary of defense, the initiative aims to streamline the Army’s force structure, cut wasteful spending, and rapidly modernize its capabilities. Image: U.S. Army Photo by 1st Lt. Ellington Ward
Will Russia's War on Ukraine Keep Resisting Trump's Diplomacy?

1 month ago | warontherocks.com | Michael Kofman |Dara Massicot |Ryan Evans

Michael Kofman and Dara Massicot join Ryan to unpack how the Trump administration’s ambitious peace efforts have collided with reality. They dive into how strategic calculations, politics, military conditions, and societal developments have shaped diplomacy, assessing how various pressures and intentions could redefine — or derail — pathways toward ending the war. Image: Russian state media
Gen. Berger on Leadership in a Turbulent Era

1 month ago | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

In today’s world, turbulence isn’t temporary—it‘s the new normal. In this episode, Gen. (ret.) David Berger, former commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, shares why adaptability, resilience, and grit are not just desirable but essential traits for leaders in an uncertain and unpredictable age. Successful leaders must embrace disruption rather than waiting for stability to return, he tells Ryan.
The Future of Sweden's Military with Chief of Defense Michael Claesson

1 month ago | warontherocks.com | Michael Claesson |Ryan Evans

Gen. Michael Claesson, Chief of Defense of the Swedish Armed Forces, joined Ryan during a visit to Washington to share how NATO has changed Sweden’s armed forces as well as the details of their modernization, consolidation, and expansion efforts — on land, at sea, and in the air. They also discuss the challenges of mobilization in future wars defined by higher technology systems, training, working with industry, and how Sweden has learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Not the Last Net Assessment

1 month ago | warontherocks.com | Christopher Preble |Zack Cooper |Melanie Marlowe |Ryan Evans

In this joint episode with the Net Assessment crew, recorded last week on “Liberation Day,” Ryan joins Chris, Zack, and Melanie to talk about what’s happening in the world as well as the future of Net Assessment, which is moving on to its forever home with the Stimson Center. If you would like to support Net Assessment, please consider donating to this special fund.
One Last Trip Around the World?

2 months ago | warontherocks.com | Christopher Preble |Zack Cooper |Melanie Marlowe |Ryan Evans

Chris, Melanie, and Zack are joined by a special guest for a big announcement. They also lament the demise of the Office of Net Assessment, debate the merits of DOGE, and discuss Secretary Hegsethâ€™s visit to Asia and the strength of those alliances. If you would like to support Net Assessment, please consider donating to this special fund. Image: Midjourney
A Stroll Through the Indo-Pacific, the Most Important Region in the World

2 months ago | warontherocks.com | Lisa Curtis |Zack Cooper |Dmitri Alperovitch |Ryan Evans

In this episode, we get into what’s driving the Indo-Pacific’s security dynamics, from China’s threats to Taiwan to AUKUS and the Quad to stability (or lack thereof) on the Korean Peninsula to bases in the Philippines. We also touch on how prepared the United States may be to deliver military power in the Indo-Pacific based on forthcoming resourcing decisions by the Trump administration and Congress.
Lt. Gen. Sklenka on Staying in the Fight

Mar 3, 2025 | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

The Marine general and deputy commandant in charge of installations and logistics was kind enough to join Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation on military service, logistics, and so much more. Whether you are a servicemember or someone interested in how the U.S. military will be able to stay in the fight should a war break out in the Indo-Pacific, this episode is a must-listen. Image: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarb