On March 25, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Kyle Atwell hosted an episode of the Modern War Institute’s Irregular Warfare Podcast titled “COIN and culture: How important is cultural intelligence in counterinsurgency?” Atwell attempts to answer how important the cultural training that the military receives is to success.
It has become axiomatic that cultural intelligence is key to success in counterinsurgency operations. But is it?
Kyle Atwell

Forward Defense leads the Atlantic Council’s US and global defense programming, developing actionable recommendations for the United States and its allies and partners to compete, innovate, and navigate the rapidly evolving character of warfare. Through its work on US defense policy and force design, the military applications of advanced technology, space security, strategic deterrence, and defense industrial revitalization, it informs the strategies, policies, and capabilities that the United States will need to deter, and, if necessary, prevail in major-power conflict.