Ryan Evans

Washington, D.C.

Founder and CEO at War on the Rocks

Podcast Host at War on The Rocks Podcast

CEO & Founder @BedrockSaaS @WarontheRocks @Cogs0fWar 🇺🇸

Articles

Making Professional Military Education More Agile in the Air Force – War on the Rocks

1 week ago | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

Lt. Gen. Andrea Tullos joined Ryan at WOTR HQ to talk about her experience and insights into professional military education, both for the joint force and especially the Air Force. She shares what Air University, which she commands, has been doing to optimize its mission for competition with China, the pacing threat, and a high intensity fight where sanctuary areas are scarce if they exist at all.
The Israeli-Iranian War: How We Got Here & What It Means – War on the Rocks

1 week ago | warontherocks.com | Ryan Evans

Israel’s strikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, as well as its key military and security leadership, shocked the world. How did we arrive here? What did the Israeli strikes accomplish? What options does Iran have? How did the Iranian-U.S. nuclear talks fail to forestall this? Will the United States become a party to the conflict? What about the Russian and Iraqi dimensions?
Introducing Cogs of War

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

2 months 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

2 months 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