John Spencer

John Spencer

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Chair of Urban Warfare Studies; doctrine, TTPs, and equipment in urban operations.

U.S. Deploys Diverse Assets to Counter Iranian Mines
SocialApr 2, 2026

U.S. Deploys Diverse Assets to Counter Iranian Mines

"The US has several options to counter Iranian mines. These are some key assets." @NavyTimes Bringing facts to speculation. https://t.co/WFfm9NCozY The U.S. military possesses several capabilities that it could wield to combat naval mine warfare in the Strait of Hormuz. Avenger-class minesweepers -...

By John Spencer
Cognitive Infrastructure Becomes Essential for Growing Megacities
SocialApr 2, 2026

Cognitive Infrastructure Becomes Essential for Growing Megacities

When Cities Start Thinking: The Rise Of Cognitive Infrastructure. Building The Cognitive City @Forbes Also, increased use of sensors/AI they can become tools or threats. In Tehran, street cameras were used to track the Ayatollah. https://t.co/j5Q1MPqHJ5 Cities are growing at...

By John Spencer
Trump Announces U.S. Combat Operations Against Iran
SocialApr 1, 2026

Trump Announces U.S. Combat Operations Against Iran

Lol. Yes. Let's apply a little intellectual honesty and provide the full text of the speech where the reasons and objectives are stated earlier: President Donald J. Trump on the United States Military Major Combat Operations in Iran, February...

By John Spencer
Experts Misjudge Iran War: Regime Change Remains Unlikely
SocialApr 1, 2026

Experts Misjudge Iran War: Regime Change Remains Unlikely

It is insane how every so called "expert," academic getting 5 minutes of fame, podcaster, or media personality starts their critique or prediction of the war in Iran with regime change. Too bad it is a house of cards built...

By John Spencer
Leaders Must Actively Reinforce Cohesion in Tech‑Driven Units
SocialApr 1, 2026

Leaders Must Actively Reinforce Cohesion in Tech‑Driven Units

"Technology does not break cohesion. But it removes the margins that once sustained it automatically. Preserving combat effectiveness...requires leaders to see cohesion clearly...as a living network that must be continually reinforced." @WarInstitute https://t.co/yfviYCzXws

By John Spencer
US‑Israel Pressure Sets Stage for Iran Regime Shift
SocialApr 1, 2026

US‑Israel Pressure Sets Stage for Iran Regime Shift

…the U.S. and Israel are doing what they set out to do, what they told us...the conditions are set, I think, for a fundamental change in the nature of the Iranian regime...the regime is fragmented @LTGHRMcMaster @FoxNews I 100%...

By John Spencer
Clarify U.S. Military Tear‑Gas Policy for Urban Combat
SocialApr 1, 2026

Clarify U.S. Military Tear‑Gas Policy for Urban Combat

I have advocated for a better understanding and policy of when the U.S. military can or cannot use tear gas (riot control agent), especially in high intensity urban warfare scenarios where even recent use such as in the Battle of...

By John Spencer
Iran's Terrorist Regime Must Not Acquire Nuclear Weapons
SocialApr 1, 2026

Iran's Terrorist Regime Must Not Acquire Nuclear Weapons

The Islamic Regime in Iran, not only a terrorist. regime, but the greatest state sponsor and exporter of terrorism in the world can never have a nuclear weapon. If the last 47 years is any predictor of their continued behavior,...

By John Spencer
Deliberate Cohesion Needed for Combat-Ready Units Amid Digital Distractions
SocialApr 1, 2026

Deliberate Cohesion Needed for Combat-Ready Units Amid Digital Distractions

Want Combat Ready Units? Then you have to be deliberate about building unit cohesion in our world of ubiquitous online connections, social media, smart phones, distractions. My latest article @WestPoint_USMA @WarInstitute https://t.co/yfviYCzXws

By John Spencer
U.S.
SocialApr 1, 2026

U.S.

“We are attacking every center of gravity right now…it is a system that’s been attacked, every capability that Iran has has been dismantled not just for today, but for tomorrow…attacking not only their capability but their will.”My talk tonight with...

By John Spencer
War Targets Will, Not Just Destruction, via Strategic Pressure
SocialMar 31, 2026

War Targets Will, Not Just Destruction, via Strategic Pressure

"War is a contest of will. Striking a center of gravity is not about destruction alone. It is about compelling the enemy to do your will through the use, or threat of use, of force, including military action, sanctions, and...

By John Spencer
US and Israel Hit Iran Systemically, Not Piece‑by‑Piece
SocialMar 31, 2026

US and Israel Hit Iran Systemically, Not Piece‑by‑Piece

"The United States and Israel are not simply working through a list of targets in an effort to destroy Iran’s military piece by piece. They are applying pressure across multiple parts of the same system at once."

By John Spencer
Proposal Ignores Iran’s Threats and Foreign Backers
SocialMar 31, 2026

Proposal Ignores Iran’s Threats and Foreign Backers

I am trying to stay professional in language. This is not a serious proposal. It does not address a single issue of Iran's threats to the U.S., Israel, entire region - missiles, nuclear, navy, behaviors of proxy terror armies/against international...

By John Spencer
Victory Over Iran Prioritized Over Market Fluctuations
SocialMar 31, 2026

Victory Over Iran Prioritized Over Market Fluctuations

“The markets are unpredictable…We should all hope…that we win this thing and clean up the strait and Iran is no longer a threat to everybody…it is much more important that this be successfully completed than what the markets does.”

By John Spencer
Invest in Pipelines to Diminish Hormuz Strategic Relevance
SocialMar 31, 2026

Invest in Pipelines to Diminish Hormuz Strategic Relevance

Exactly. In the long term, countries should invest to make the Strait of Hormuz less strategically important. More pipes. @washingtonpost https://t.co/f7lWVZ0GyY

By John Spencer
Defining War Strategy: Key Insights From Small Wars
SocialMar 31, 2026

Defining War Strategy: Key Insights From Small Wars

ICYMI. In case you need it. What is Strategy in War? my article with @LiamSCollins in @smallwars https://t.co/o27njmt7mI

By John Spencer
Army Teams with Amazon to Sell Battlefield Drones Online
SocialMar 30, 2026

Army Teams with Amazon to Sell Battlefield Drones Online

"The U.S. Army and Amazon are creating an online storefront to buy drones as the technology transforms the battlefield." I support the idea, will be interesting to see how it is implemented. https://t.co/N25xQG4lu8

By John Spencer
U.S. Can Cripple Iran’s Oil Lifeline without Occupying Kharg
SocialMar 30, 2026

U.S. Can Cripple Iran’s Oil Lifeline without Occupying Kharg

The U.S. has many more options than to only seize Kharg Island with ground forces. It may be possible to isolate, degrade, or rendered it inoperable without occupation. Kharg is uniquely a center of gravity for the regime’s economic power/survival. It...

By John Spencer
War’s Fog Endures: Modern Intel Can’t Eliminate Uncertainty
SocialMar 30, 2026

War’s Fog Endures: Modern Intel Can’t Eliminate Uncertainty

“War is the realm of uncertainty; three quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty.” - Carl Von Clausewitz (1780-1831) This remains true today despite all the...

By John Spencer
Regime Blocks Internet, Silencing Iranian Citizens
SocialMar 29, 2026

Regime Blocks Internet, Silencing Iranian Citizens

The Iranian people have been without internet, the Islamic regime has had it and kept it from the people as a form of control.

By John Spencer
Beyond Invasion: Exploring U.S. Options in Iran
SocialMar 29, 2026

Beyond Invasion: Exploring U.S. Options in Iran

What could possibly be the U.S. options in Iran? Most people jump from today to a full-scale ground invasion to seize Tehran, secure nuclear material by force, and destroy a supposed million-man army. That is shallow thinking. 🧵 President Trump has...

By John Spencer
Call for Total Elimination of Iran's Military and Nuclear Threat
SocialMar 28, 2026

Call for Total Elimination of Iran's Military and Nuclear Threat

I’ll bite. Finish the job for the U.S. IMO, destroy Iran’s current ballistic missile stockpile, destroy their ballistic missile building capability (industrial complex), destroy their navy and other means that allow them to threaten the strait of Hormuz, i.e. destroy...

By John Spencer
El Salvador’s Leader Wins 90% Support for Anti‑Gang Security Drive
SocialMar 28, 2026

El Salvador’s Leader Wins 90% Support for Anti‑Gang Security Drive

Debatable, but strongly supported across El Salvador (over 90% approval in polls), evidence of what a single leader can do with an anti-gang, security prioritized agenda.

By John Spencer
Trump’s Peace Board Proposes 8‑month Hamas Disarmament Plan
SocialMar 28, 2026

Trump’s Peace Board Proposes 8‑month Hamas Disarmament Plan

President Trump’s Peace Board Issues Hamas an 8 month disarmament plan. Complete disarmament of all factions, the destruction of all tunnels, reconstruction only in verified demilitarized zones, after disarmament is verified IDF withdrawals forces. https://t.co/T2MOKdA2UP

By John Spencer
Smart Weapons Market Set for $31.9B by 2031
SocialMar 28, 2026

Smart Weapons Market Set for $31.9B by 2031

Smart Weapons Market to Reach USD 31.89 Billion by 2031 with Airborne Systems Segment Projected to Grow at 9.86% CAGR, Says Mordor Intelligence. @YahooFinance Very likely. https://t.co/3kmh88ARKD

By John Spencer
Iran's 'Toll Booth' Reveals Selective Hormuz Passage List
SocialMar 27, 2026

Iran's 'Toll Booth' Reveals Selective Hormuz Passage List

"Tehran’s ‘toll booth’: How Iran picks [for now] who to let through Strait of Hormuz." Mentions the late IRGC Naval Commander. Is it just me, or does this read like a target list to deconstruct? ...submit the information to the...

By John Spencer
Expect US‑Israel Collaboration to Shape Upcoming Conflict
SocialMar 27, 2026

Expect US‑Israel Collaboration to Shape Upcoming Conflict

With the U.S. and Israel working side by side, I am going to try to not be surprised on what they bring to the fight in the coming days and weeks.

By John Spencer
Disarmament Deadline Should Wait Until Iran Operation Ends
SocialMar 25, 2026

Disarmament Deadline Should Wait Until Iran Operation Ends

I believe a deadline for disarmament should be set…after the operation with Iran has concluded.

By John Spencer
Mossad Urges Iranians to Report Regime Forces, Targeting Visible Repression
SocialMar 24, 2026

Mossad Urges Iranians to Report Regime Forces, Targeting Visible Repression

Mossad tells Iranians to keep reporting on regime forces. Israel is eliminating any leader, checkpoint, tool of repression dumb enough to be visible.

By John Spencer
US‑Israel Neutralize 70% of Iran’s Missile Launchers in Three Weeks
SocialMar 23, 2026

US‑Israel Neutralize 70% of Iran’s Missile Launchers in Three Weeks

Just over 3 weeks and the U.S.-Israel have taken out over 70% of Iran's ballistic missile launchers.

By John Spencer
Israel Targets Iranian Regime Leaders and Security Forces
SocialMar 23, 2026

Israel Targets Iranian Regime Leaders and Security Forces

I agree, Israel is going after the Iranian regime leaders, Basij, police, security forces, checkpoints and methods the regime used to kill protesters..they are calling IRGC officers to tell them they are dead men walking…

By John Spencer
Advocating Indian Goods Over Chinese in U.S. Market
SocialMar 23, 2026

Advocating Indian Goods Over Chinese in U.S. Market

I fully support "Made in India" replacing all "Made in China" products in the U.S.

By John Spencer
IRGC's Chain of Command in Disarray, Causing Confusion
SocialMar 23, 2026

IRGC's Chain of Command in Disarray, Causing Confusion

"they [IRGC] are all confused and have no idea who is talking to whom. Their chain of command is broken."

By John Spencer
Iranian Regime Chaos Spreads as Security Forces Crumble
SocialMar 22, 2026

Iranian Regime Chaos Spreads as Security Forces Crumble

"With thousands of regime members killed—from top leaders to street-level grunts—Iranians are reporting that a sense of disorder is starting to take hold. Security forces are under stress and on the run as they threaten protesters to stay off the...

By John Spencer
Recording My Survival Stories: Lessons From Near-Death Adventures
SocialMar 22, 2026

Recording My Survival Stories: Lessons From Near-Death Adventures

Heading out today to spend a week in studio recording the audio for my new book - "20 Times I Almost Died: Life Lessons from the Edge of Survival." From jungles of Panama to the battlefields of Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza,...

By John Spencer
Modern Tech Enables Simultaneous, Precise Targeting of Leadership
SocialMar 22, 2026

Modern Tech Enables Simultaneous, Precise Targeting of Leadership

“Leadership targeting has existed throughout history. What is new is simultaneity and precision. Entire layers of political and military leadership can now be targeted nearly at once.“ my latest @nypost https://t.co/fpqRfQlLxD

By John Spencer
Decapitation Strikes Fail; Cumulative Strategy Needed
SocialMar 21, 2026

Decapitation Strikes Fail; Cumulative Strategy Needed

“Decapitation strikes don’t work,” they say. “The strategy isn’t working,” they say after 5, 10, or 20 days. Strategic effects are cumulative. Impatience is not analysis. Let's review just what Israel has stuck in Iran according to @IDF 🧵

By John Spencer
Khamenei's Nuclear Fatwa Isn’t an Absolute Prohibition
SocialMar 21, 2026

Khamenei's Nuclear Fatwa Isn’t an Absolute Prohibition

The politicized talking point about Khamenei's "fatwa" frames it as a firm religious prohibition on nuclear weapons development. Often used by JCPOA defenders, it presents the fatwa as an unbreakable barrier. This framing omits key facts about its form, limited...

By John Spencer
Distributed Low‑tech Assets Power Ukraine's Air Defense
SocialMar 20, 2026

Distributed Low‑tech Assets Power Ukraine's Air Defense

"Ukraine’s air defense is not just high-end systems. It is machine-guns, pickup trucks, acoustic and other sensors, and shared data. Distributed defense is the lesson." https://t.co/6z5VwFDMMl

By John Spencer
Drones Redefine Urban Combat in Ukraine’s War
SocialMar 20, 2026

Drones Redefine Urban Combat in Ukraine’s War

“Drones and Urban Warfare in Ukraine,” the latest episode of my @WarInstitute podcast is out. I sit down with Dr. Anthony Tingle who just returned from his 9th research trip to Ukraine to discuss the evolution of drones and the different...

By John Spencer
U.S. Military Offers Options, Strategy Adapts to Enemy Moves
SocialMar 19, 2026

U.S. Military Offers Options, Strategy Adapts to Enemy Moves

"The role of the U.S. military is to give the President options...strategy isn't a plan that you start on Day 1 and check off a list, it evolves in the uncertainty of what the enemy is doing..." Discussing U.S.-Israel war...

By John Spencer
Day 19: US and Israel Still Winning
SocialMar 19, 2026

Day 19: US and Israel Still Winning

"On Day 19 of Operation Epic Fury, the answer remains the same. The United States and Israel are still winning."

By John Spencer
Heading to Nashville to Record Book Audio Next Week
SocialMar 19, 2026

Heading to Nashville to Record Book Audio Next Week

Hardcore. I'll be in Nashville next week to record the audio for my book out in August. Good to know @jockowillink will be in town (likely up WAY before me) leading from the front.

By John Spencer
China Emerges as Biggest Loser in Grand Strategy
SocialMar 19, 2026

China Emerges as Biggest Loser in Grand Strategy

That's a bad/first echelon take. There is a much larger picture. China is the big loser in their grand strategy plans: https://t.co/usYe48iDIM

By John Spencer
Cascading Wars: From Kabul's Fall to Global Instability
SocialMar 18, 2026

Cascading Wars: From Kabul's Fall to Global Instability

Kabul 2021 to invasion of Ukraine 2022 to October 7, 2023. Connecting the dots on geopolitical decisions/ leader perceptions/ conflicts/ interconnectedness. A master class as always from LTG (ret) McMaster @LTGHRMcMaster https://t.co/j4By3sDoOD Because looking at history, the biggest conflicts often...

By John Spencer
Gulf States Urge U.S. to Weaken Iran Before Peace
SocialMar 18, 2026

Gulf States Urge U.S. to Weaken Iran Before Peace

"Gulf States Want the U.S. to Cripple Iran's Regime Before Ending the War." @WSJ https://t.co/twMeku5of8 “Any long-term political settlement must address the full spectrum of threats, including Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and their network of regional proxies,” added Sultan...

By John Spencer
Understanding War Strategy: Ends, Ways, Means Explained
SocialMar 18, 2026

Understanding War Strategy: Ends, Ways, Means Explained

"What is Strategy in War?" There are a TON of people that need to read this right now. Words have meaning. Strategy. Political goals. Levels of War. Tactics. Ends, Ways, Means. With @LiamSCollins in @smallwars https://t.co/o27njmt7mI

By John Spencer
NATO's Inaction in Hormuz Empowers Putin, Tests Unity
SocialMar 18, 2026

NATO's Inaction in Hormuz Empowers Putin, Tests Unity

Defending international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is a coalition responsibility. That is not an offensive campaign. It is a defensive mission to protect freedom of navigation, global commerce, and the stability of a maritime chokepoint that carries roughly...

By John Spencer
China’s Global Strategy: Coercion, Propaganda, and Iran Support
SocialMar 18, 2026

China’s Global Strategy: Coercion, Propaganda, and Iran Support

With China’s unmatched censorship at home, it’s worth asking how narratives like this move so freely abroad. China is a remarkable, ancient civilization. But it is governed by a Communist Party that advances its interests through economic coercion, information operations,...

By John Spencer