This page contains video and audio excerpts from various presentations. The content belongs to the hosting organization.
Hybrid Warefare: The Changing Dynamics of Conflict, War and National Security
4 February 2021
COPAIR Webinar
Hybrid Warfare: The Changing Dynamics of Conflict, War and National Security
In this webinar hosted by COPAIR panalists discuss multi-dimensional challenges of hybrid warfare to Pakistan and offer recommendations to overcome these non-traditional threats.
COPAIR Webinar
Hybrid Warfare: The Changing Dynamics of Conflict, War and National Security
In this webinar hosted by COPAIR panalists discuss multi-dimensional challenges of hybrid warfare to Pakistan and offer recommendations to overcome these non-traditional threats.
ISIS, Abu Bakr Naji, and the Management of Savagery
4 February 2021
ISIS, Abu Bakr Naji, and the Management of Savagery
The Dole Institute, The University of Kansas
Al-Qaeda and ISIS used the Management of Savagery as both an operational concept and doctrine. Written for al-Qaeda in 2004, but demonstrated most thoroughly by ISIS from 2014 to 2021, the online published work explains how Islamist ideological groups hoped to defeat the West, in general, and the United States, in specific. This presentation explains the main themes of the work and how it was put into practice.
ISIS, Abu Bakr Naji, and the Management of Savagery
The Dole Institute, The University of Kansas
Al-Qaeda and ISIS used the Management of Savagery as both an operational concept and doctrine. Written for al-Qaeda in 2004, but demonstrated most thoroughly by ISIS from 2014 to 2021, the online published work explains how Islamist ideological groups hoped to defeat the West, in general, and the United States, in specific. This presentation explains the main themes of the work and how it was put into practice.
Narrative War - Understanding ISIS
Narrative War: Understanding ISIS
11 February 2020
US Army Command and General Staff College
In 2014, the city of Mosul fell to a battalion sized group of fighters in six days. ISIS used engagement, social media, YouTube videos, and grievances of Sunni dis-empowerment to fuel this amazing success. In the same year, the Russians seized the Crimean Peninsula with little green men and began an assault on the Eastern portions of the Ukraine initiated by gangs and thugs. These are examples of narrative war – conflict where narrative use and manipulation is the decisive operation and organized conventional military violence is a shaping operation.
Presented on 11 FEB in Marshall Auditorium., Fort Leavenworth, KS. by Brian L. Steed.
11 February 2020
US Army Command and General Staff College
In 2014, the city of Mosul fell to a battalion sized group of fighters in six days. ISIS used engagement, social media, YouTube videos, and grievances of Sunni dis-empowerment to fuel this amazing success. In the same year, the Russians seized the Crimean Peninsula with little green men and began an assault on the Eastern portions of the Ukraine initiated by gangs and thugs. These are examples of narrative war – conflict where narrative use and manipulation is the decisive operation and organized conventional military violence is a shaping operation.
Presented on 11 FEB in Marshall Auditorium., Fort Leavenworth, KS. by Brian L. Steed.
Narrative War: Understanding ISIS
31 January 2019
US Army Command and General Staff College
This is a presentation given to students and faculty at the US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on 31 January 2019.
In 2014, the city of Mosul fell to a battalion sized group of fighter in six days. ISIS used engagement, social media, YouTube videos, and grievances of Sunni disempowerment to fuel this amazing success. In the same year, the Russians seized the Crimean Peninsula with little green men and began an assault on the Eastern portions of the Ukraine initiated by gangs and thugs. These are examples of narrative war - conflict where narrative use and manipulation is the decisive operation and organized conventional military violence is a shaping operation. Such is the present and near future of war.
This presentation explains narrative war through an understanding of ISIS. Who and what it is? When and why did it form? And, how does it use maneuver in the narrative space to effectively achieve conflict success against significantly more powerful opponents?
Understanding ISIS is only a tool to developing essential understanding for present and future opponents whether they be non-state, sub-state, post-state, or peer or whether the conflict be counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, or large-scale combat operations.
US Army Command and General Staff College
This is a presentation given to students and faculty at the US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on 31 January 2019.
In 2014, the city of Mosul fell to a battalion sized group of fighter in six days. ISIS used engagement, social media, YouTube videos, and grievances of Sunni disempowerment to fuel this amazing success. In the same year, the Russians seized the Crimean Peninsula with little green men and began an assault on the Eastern portions of the Ukraine initiated by gangs and thugs. These are examples of narrative war - conflict where narrative use and manipulation is the decisive operation and organized conventional military violence is a shaping operation. Such is the present and near future of war.
This presentation explains narrative war through an understanding of ISIS. Who and what it is? When and why did it form? And, how does it use maneuver in the narrative space to effectively achieve conflict success against significantly more powerful opponents?
Understanding ISIS is only a tool to developing essential understanding for present and future opponents whether they be non-state, sub-state, post-state, or peer or whether the conflict be counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, or large-scale combat operations.
Armageddon and the Modern Middle East
3 November 2018
Armegeddon and the Modern Middle East
National WWI Museum and Memorial
ISIS fighters schooled a Vice reporter about the importance of destroying the Sykes-Picot borders as a bulldozer created a passable lane in a large sand berm on the Iraq-Syria border. In describing what was happening, the fighter did not call the different countries Iraq and Syria as those were terms created after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the redrawing of the Middle East map. The agreements, treaties and actions in 1918 and the years that followed created the states that currently exist in the Middle East and, by so doing, created many of the problems present in the region. These agreements were won by force of arms, political intrigue and disregard for the interests of the local tribal, ethnic and religious sectarian divisions throughout the region. Current fighting in Syria and northern Iraq are reminiscent of those days at the end of and in the years following World War I.
Brian L. Steed, senior fellow with Narrative Strategies. He is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, an assistant professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and a former Middle East Foreign Area Officer.
Lecture given as part of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's 2018 Symposium, 1918: Crucible of War.
Armegeddon and the Modern Middle East
National WWI Museum and Memorial
ISIS fighters schooled a Vice reporter about the importance of destroying the Sykes-Picot borders as a bulldozer created a passable lane in a large sand berm on the Iraq-Syria border. In describing what was happening, the fighter did not call the different countries Iraq and Syria as those were terms created after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the redrawing of the Middle East map. The agreements, treaties and actions in 1918 and the years that followed created the states that currently exist in the Middle East and, by so doing, created many of the problems present in the region. These agreements were won by force of arms, political intrigue and disregard for the interests of the local tribal, ethnic and religious sectarian divisions throughout the region. Current fighting in Syria and northern Iraq are reminiscent of those days at the end of and in the years following World War I.
Brian L. Steed, senior fellow with Narrative Strategies. He is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, an assistant professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and a former Middle East Foreign Area Officer.
Lecture given as part of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's 2018 Symposium, 1918: Crucible of War.
Armageddon, Arabia, and the Modern Middle East
23 May 2018
Armegeddon, Arabia, and the Modern Middle East
National WWI Museum and Memorial
U.S. Army Command & General Staff College professor Brian Steed talked about the impact of World War I on the Middle East and how the outcome of the war continues to play a role in present-day conflicts. He explored the defeat and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, which was the dominant power in the region, and how their former territories were allocated. The National World War I Museum & Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri hosted this event.
To view this video on the C-SPAN website, click here.
Armegeddon, Arabia, and the Modern Middle East
National WWI Museum and Memorial
U.S. Army Command & General Staff College professor Brian Steed talked about the impact of World War I on the Middle East and how the outcome of the war continues to play a role in present-day conflicts. He explored the defeat and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, which was the dominant power in the region, and how their former territories were allocated. The National World War I Museum & Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri hosted this event.
To view this video on the C-SPAN website, click here.
Interfaith Forum - Extremist Violence, Refugees, & Fear
19 May 2016
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
This video presents remarks made by Lt. Col. Brian Steed providing a context for the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
This video presents remarks made by Lt. Col. Brian Steed providing a context for the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Interfaith Forum - Extremist Violence, Refugees, & Fear: Question - American Narrative
19 May 2016
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: What is the American "Narrative"...? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: What is the American "Narrative"...? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Interfaith Forum - Extremist Violence, Refugees, & Fear: Question - Taking Assad Down
19 May 2016
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: Why does the U.S. government not take Assad down? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: Why does the U.S. government not take Assad down? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Interfaith Forum - Extremist Violence, Refugees, & Fear: Question - Non-judicial Executions Terrorism?
19 May 2016
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: When a state engages in non-judicial executions with drone attacks that kill innocents... is this not terrorism? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
Extremist Violence, Refugees, and Fear
Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch
Response to question: When a state engages in non-judicial executions with drone attacks that kill innocents... is this not terrorism? At the May 19 Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses community forum at the KCMO Plaza Library. The event was organized by the American Friends with the KC Public Library and the GCK Interfaith council and twenty-five cosponsors.
A Christian Response to Islamic Extremism
January 2016
A Christian Response to Islamic Extremism
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas
Pastor Adam Hamilton's interview with expert Brian L. Steed about Islamic Extremism and the power of narrative.
A Christian Response to Islamic Extremism
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas
Pastor Adam Hamilton's interview with expert Brian L. Steed about Islamic Extremism and the power of narrative.
Audio Files
Cultural Dynamic of US - Iran Relations "Is Conflict Imminent?"
23 January 2020
“Cultural Dynamics of U.S. – Iran Relations ‘Is Conflict Imminent?’” was the topic of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s (CGSC) Cultural and Area Studies Office (CASO) second presentation of the school year, Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Lewis and Clark Center's Arnold Conference Room. The opening remarks were provided by Mr. Allen Borgardts, deputy provost of Army University. The panel included Mr. Chris Hoch, National Intelligence Officer for Iran, National Intelligence Council; Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, and a Senior Lecturer, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; and Mr. Brian L. Steed, Assistant Professor of Military History, CGSC. The panel was moderated by Dr. Mahir Ibrahimov, Director, CASO.
“Cultural Dynamics of U.S. – Iran Relations ‘Is Conflict Imminent?’” was the topic of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s (CGSC) Cultural and Area Studies Office (CASO) second presentation of the school year, Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Lewis and Clark Center's Arnold Conference Room. The opening remarks were provided by Mr. Allen Borgardts, deputy provost of Army University. The panel included Mr. Chris Hoch, National Intelligence Officer for Iran, National Intelligence Council; Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, and a Senior Lecturer, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; and Mr. Brian L. Steed, Assistant Professor of Military History, CGSC. The panel was moderated by Dr. Mahir Ibrahimov, Director, CASO.
Interview with Ben Smith of The Captains Coach
24 December 2019
Discussion on Narrative War and Identity.
Discussion on Narrative War and Identity.
The Making of an Enemy: Understanding Middle East Extremists
5 November 2019
The U.S. wins no popularity contests in the Middle East, where it has fought on and off for nearly three decades. A Pew Research survey a little less than two years ago found that only 27 percent of respondents in Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey saw our country as a force for good. America probably has more enemies in the region today than it did at the time of the 9/11 attacks.
Video Presentation
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
The U.S. wins no popularity contests in the Middle East, where it has fought on and off for nearly three decades. A Pew Research survey a little less than two years ago found that only 27 percent of respondents in Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey saw our country as a force for good. America probably has more enemies in the region today than it did at the time of the 9/11 attacks.
Video Presentation
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
World War II Scars the Middle East
18 September 2019
America’s involvement in the Middle East has revolved around oil as well as religion and Zionist pursuits, Cold War tensions, and the specter of terrorism. All arose or expanded as concerns during World War II and its aftermath.
Video Presentation
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
America’s involvement in the Middle East has revolved around oil as well as religion and Zionist pursuits, Cold War tensions, and the specter of terrorism. All arose or expanded as concerns during World War II and its aftermath.
Video Presentation
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
America Meets the Middle East
8 May 2019
Our country’s deep (and fitful) involvement in the Middle East traces to World War II, when the U.S. came to Britain’s assistance in North Africa, transported millions of tons of material across Iran in support of the Soviet Union, and protected the movement of critical oil across the Mediterranean Sea and through the Suez Canal. We emerged from the war with commitments to keep both the sources and flow of that oil secure.
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
Our country’s deep (and fitful) involvement in the Middle East traces to World War II, when the U.S. came to Britain’s assistance in North Africa, transported millions of tons of material across Iran in support of the Soviet Union, and protected the movement of critical oil across the Mediterranean Sea and through the Suez Canal. We emerged from the war with commitments to keep both the sources and flow of that oil secure.
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
The Middle East and World War II (audio only)
26 March 2019
The Middle East’s profile in world affairs rose significantly during World War II. Named for its central location in global commerce and historical imperial connections, it became a key battleground for access to the Suez Canal, for supply lines to the Soviet Union—and of course, for oil. Control of the Mediterranean Sea required control of the Middle East and North Africa.
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
The Middle East’s profile in world affairs rose significantly during World War II. Named for its central location in global commerce and historical imperial connections, it became a key battleground for access to the Suez Canal, for supply lines to the Soviet Union—and of course, for oil. Control of the Mediterranean Sea required control of the Middle East and North Africa.
Link to PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
Mesopotamia on Fire: Changing the Conversation on ISIS (audio only)
23 February 2016
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is more than a place or a terrorist group. It is a set of ideas rooted in centuries-old beliefs and wrapped in a philosophy of violence. Adherents believe they are an army of the righteous working to create an ideal state for today’s believers and fighting a war that is destined to end with the coming of Jesus and defeat of the Antichrist.
Understanding them, Brian L. Steed says, is key to defeating them. A military historian at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and specialist on the Middle East, he initially spoke at the Library about the Islamic State in late 2014. He continues his examination, taking a close look at the militant group’s makeup, motivations, and operations.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is more than a place or a terrorist group. It is a set of ideas rooted in centuries-old beliefs and wrapped in a philosophy of violence. Adherents believe they are an army of the righteous working to create an ideal state for today’s believers and fighting a war that is destined to end with the coming of Jesus and defeat of the Antichrist.
Understanding them, Brian L. Steed says, is key to defeating them. A military historian at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and specialist on the Middle East, he initially spoke at the Library about the Islamic State in late 2014. He continues his examination, taking a close look at the militant group’s makeup, motivations, and operations.
Mesopotamia on Fire: The Historical Context of ISIS (podcast - audio only)
30 October 2014
Americans unfamiliar or perhaps unconcerned with the Islamic State ‐ ISIS ‐ snapped to attention with the group's beheading of two journalists.
Middle East specialist Brian L. Steed, a military historian at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, lends historical context to the expanding Sunni organization. Its leader has taken the name of the first Caliph, or Muslim head of state, and like Islamic warriors of the 7th Century has pledged to "conquer Rome." ISIS also echoes the words of 12th-Century Muslim leader Nur al-Din and his successor, Saladin, as they sought to extend their control from Mosul to Damascus and then Cairo.
Steed presents a cultural, religious, and historical backdrop to today's events.
Americans unfamiliar or perhaps unconcerned with the Islamic State ‐ ISIS ‐ snapped to attention with the group's beheading of two journalists.
Middle East specialist Brian L. Steed, a military historian at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, lends historical context to the expanding Sunni organization. Its leader has taken the name of the first Caliph, or Muslim head of state, and like Islamic warriors of the 7th Century has pledged to "conquer Rome." ISIS also echoes the words of 12th-Century Muslim leader Nur al-Din and his successor, Saladin, as they sought to extend their control from Mosul to Damascus and then Cairo.
Steed presents a cultural, religious, and historical backdrop to today's events.