The Conquests of Taiwan (1624-1683) [1/5/2021]

 

 

The Conquests of Taiwan (1624-1683)

 

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. In the 17^th Century, the East Asian island of Taiwan or Formosa underwent a dramatic political transformation, as seen in the three conquests of the island: the initial colonization by the Dutch, the takeover by the independent army of Zheng Chenggong, and the final capture by China’s Qing Dynasty. In examining these conquests, we will focus on the following questions:

 

                - Why was Taiwan worth conquering?

                - What was behind the success of each conquest?

                - and How did these answers evolve as Taiwan grew increasingly developed?

 

With these questions in mind, let’s head to the maritime world of Early Modern East Asia.

 

Strategy of Protest and Revolution 3: The American Revolution (1763-1775) [16/4/2021]

 

 

 

Hi, and after a long hiatus, welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is the third video on “The Strategy of Protest and Revolution”, where we’ll look at how ordinary revolutionary and protest movements win against establishments with the state’s power at their fingertips. In particular, we’ll focus on the following questions:

 

                - How do activists turn public discontent into a coordinated movement?

                - What do successful movements do to achieve their goals?

                - And how have successful strategies changed over time?

 

To answer them, today, we’ll be looking at the American Revolution from 1763 to 1775.

 

The Strategy of Protest and Revolution 2: The French Revolution (05/05/2020)

The Strategy of Protest and Revolution 2: The French Revolution

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series on “The Strategy of Protest and Revolution”, where we’ll look at how successful revolutionary, protest and other social movements have strategized in order to achieve their political goals. To do that, we’ll be focusing on the following questions:

                - First: How can activists turn public discontent into a political movement?

                - Second: What do successful movements do to achieve their political goals?

                - And third, how have successful strategies changed with time?

Over this series, we’ll answer these questions by looking at various historical movements, starting with the French Revolution of 1789.

The Strategy of Protest and Revolution 1: Basic Elements (04/05/2020)

The Strategy of Protest and Revolution 1: Basic Elements

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series on “The Strategy of Protest and Revolution”, where we’ll look at how successful revolutionary and protest movements have strategized to achieve their political goals. To do that, we’ll be focusing on the following questions:

                - First: How do activists turn public discontent into a political movement?

                - Second: How do movements plan their action out to achieve their political goals?

                - And third, how have successful strategies changed with time?

Over this series, we’ll answer these questions by looking at various historical movements. But before we do that, let’s first structure our thinking by examining the basic elements within a strategy of protest and revolution.

 

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 5: Politics and Strategy (27/01/2020)

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 5: Politics and Strategy

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series I originally made for CaspianReport on the geostrategic analysis of the Peloponnesian War. In the fourth video, we looked at how competing Athenian and Spartan strategies finally culminated in a Spartan victory in the final phase of the War. Now, we conclude the series by looking at how politics influenced Athenian and Spartan strategymaking.

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 4: Syracuse and the Ionian War (06/01/2020)

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 4: Syracuse and the Ionian War

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series I originally made for CaspianReport on the geostrategic analysis of the Peloponnesian War. In the third video, we examined Athens’ ascent and Sparta’s response during the Archidamian War. Now, we see how a 3^rd generation of leaders sought decision in the final phases of the conflict: the Peace of Nicias, the infamous Sicilian Expedition, and the Ionian War.

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 3: The Archidamian War (15/12/19)

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 3: The Archidamian War

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series I originally made for CaspianReport on the geostrategic analysis of the Peloponnesian War. Previously, we went over the opening strategies of Athens and Sparta. Now, with their failure and the death of the first generation of leaders, in this third video we look at how both sides adapted to the developing war.

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 2: Pericles vs Archidamus (08/12/2019)

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War, Part 2: Pericles vs Archidamus

Hi, and welcome to Strategy Stuff. This is a video series I originally made for CaspianReport on the geostrategic analysis of the Peloponnesian War. Way back in March, I analyzed the causes of this conflict; and now, as war became a reality, we examine how Athens and Sparta planned their opening moves.

When war began in 431BC, most Greeks expected Sparta to defeat Athens within three years. While this piece of conventional wisdom turned out to be wildly incorrect, its reveals something about how the Ancient Greeks thought of strategy.

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War 1: Thucydides’ Trap (02/04/2019)

Geostrategy of the Peloponnesian War 1: Thucydides’ Trap - A Collaboration with CaspianReport

Starting in 431 BC, the ancient Greek world turned on itself as Sparta and Athens locked horns. The result of this rivalry, as is captured vividly and analysed thoroughly by historian Thucydides, was a dynamic conflict that pitted a land power against a naval power. The hostilities lasted on and off for decades, but the events fundamentally shaped the study of geopolitics. It was a war like no other. The catalyst of this conflict and steady manner in which it grew into all-out hostilities has inspired strategic concepts and thinkers throughout the ages. So, to draw parallels with the present, we must analyse Thucydides Trap’ and go over the origins of the Peloponnesian War.

My name is Strategy Stuff and welcome to CaspianReport.

The Naval Strategy of Alfred Thayer Mahan (12/04/2019)

The Naval Strategy of Alfred Thayer Mahan

November, 1873. The Virginius, an American ship smuggling arms to Cubans rebelling against Spain, is captured by a Spanish warship in open waters. Ignoring American protests, Spain declares the crew pirates, and swiftly executes them.

The American public demands revenge. But Washington faces an inconvenient fact: the US no longer has a ship that can defeat an ironclad on the high seas – and Spain has four. War would only place US shipping and even the US coast in dire peril.

The Virginius Affair will not only expose the US’ naval impotence, but also raises an unsettling possibility: what if a future enemy targets not just smugglers, but every US ship at sea? What will happen to the US if it is boxed within its own shores?