Compound Security, Unlocked
Decoding the Future of Global Security
Welcome to the Era of Compound Security: The Complex Future of Global Stability
Dear Readers,
As the world grows increasingly interconnected, so do the threats that challenge our security and stability. The conventional definitions of war, defense, and national security are breaking down as new types of conflict emerge—ones that blur the lines between the military, economic, cyber, and environmental domains.
Who Am I, Why I’m Making This Substack, and Why Now
I’m Isaiah “Ike” Wilson III, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former Senior Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian, and a strategic advisor with decades of experience shaping national security and global defense strategies (More details on my LinkedIn page, here). Over the years, I’ve witnessed first-hand (as well as had a hand in the ‘doings’) how rapidly the security landscape has evolved and how traditional approaches often fall short in addressing the complex, interconnected threats we face today.
That’s why I’m launching Compound Security Unlocked—to share insights from my work on Compound Security and offer actionable foresight in these critical times. The world is at an inflection point, and now more than ever, we need clarity and new thinking to navigate the challenges ahead. I’m launching this newsletter to help us navigate this uncertain terrain, explore the future of global security, and challenge conventional thinking with a new framework: Compound Security.
Why Compound Security?
We are entering a new era of global conflict, where isolated threats no longer exist. Instead, we face a web of interconnected dangers that span geopolitical, technological, and economic dimensions, and beyond the domains of the so-called ‘foreign’ from the ‘domestic’. What I call Compound Security is the recognition that these challenges—whether they be state-based aggression, cyber warfare, global terrorism, climate insecurity, or economic destabilization—cannot be addressed individually.
Consider the conflict unfolding in the Middle East, where the lines between traditional state actors, proxy forces, and non-state actors like Hezbollah and Hamas have become increasingly blurred. In this conflict, military action cannot be disentangled from cyber campaigns, regional economic disruption, or the disinformation that destabilizes societies from within. This is a perfect example of a compound security threat—a complex, multi-dimensional challenge that requires a rethinking of how we engage and respond.
Our current frameworks are not enough. They belong to a world of defined borders and singular threats, and they fail to account for the complexity, speed, and intersectionality of today’s risks. As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, we need a new approach to security—one that understands the connections between these domains and anticipates how threats converge and multiply.
In the evolving era of compound security, the artificial separation between 'global' and 'domestic' challenges has become increasingly untenable.
Economic interdependence, cyber vulnerabilities, climate insecurities, and transnational threats underscore the interconnectedness of international and local security ecosystems. The United States, uniquely positioned as both a constituent state within the world-system and its primary regulator, exemplifies this paradox.
This janus-faced identity necessitates a dual focus: first, on fortifying domestic resilience through integrative strategies in defense, development, and diplomacy; and second, on recalibrating American global leadership to better navigate the multipolar dynamics of an increasingly contested world order.
A rigorous reevaluation of America's power—its capabilities, limitations, and transformative potential—must be central to this process, ensuring that its strategies are as adaptive and multifaceted as the challenges they aim to address.
Failure to reconcile these global and domestic imperatives risks leaving critical vulnerabilities in both spheres unaddressed.
The Mission of This Newsletter
This newsletter, ‘Compound Security, Unlocked’ is dedicated to exploring the critical questions of our time: How do we navigate the complexities of the emerging global order? What tools can nations use to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate compound security threats?
In this space, I will explore the concepts and challenges that define this new era. From military strategies to diplomatic realignments, from cyber and AI warfare to economic statecraft, this newsletter will dive deep into the Compound Security framework—explaining how global security is evolving and what we must do to prepare.
Through regular essays, case studies, and subscriber interactions, I will share strategic reflections on the changing dynamics of power, defense, and security. This newsletter is not just a platform for analysis; it’s a space to build a community of thinkers, policymakers, and engaged citizens who understand the critical stakes involved in our evolving security landscape.
As we dive deeper into the complexities of global security, I invite you to subscribe and join me in exploring the new frontiers of defense and strategy.
This newsletter is not just about reading and reacting—it's about engaging in a dialogue that pushes the boundaries of how we think about security in the 21st century. Whether you're a policymaker, military leader, academic, or a concerned citizen, your insights and questions are critical. Together, we can explore how to navigate the challenges of compound security and shape solutions for a safer, more stable future.
What You Can Expect
The Newsletter is structured around four recurring content pillars that reflect some of the central themes (i.e., governing dynamics) of my three-plus decades works and operational field testings on compound security, as a theory-of-next, and compound security competition (CsC) as its methodological framework.
1. 🔓 CsC Insights”—These posts focus on the Compound Security Competition (CsC) Framework and the evolving "Theory of Next" in defense strategy. Each Insight explores aspects like multi-domain operations, transregional threats, and the interconnected nature of geopolitical, technological, and economic dimensions of security.
· Focus: Deep dives into the CsC theory, its real-world applications, and case studies.
· Tone: Analytical, academic, and instructive, with actionable insights for strategists.
2. 💬 Thinking Beyond War’: Strategic Foresights—A forward-looking column that focuses on forecasting future threats, technologies, and strategies that shape the next evolution of global security and defense.
· Focus: Predictive analysis, trend spotting, and anticipatory thinking on future conflicts.
· Tone: Visionary, speculative but grounded in current realities.
3. 🌍 “From ‘Battlefields to Boardrooms’: Lessons from the Field”—Case-based analysis focusing on historical and contemporary military campaigns, counterterrorism strategies, and lessons from real-world applications of compound security theory.
· Focus: Analyzing past conflicts (e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan, Balkans), compound security crises, and their strategic takeaways for future military, diplomatic, and development planning.
· Tone: Historical, practical, and results oriented.
4. 📨 Letters to the Republic"—These are long-form thought pieces addressing national security issues, U.S. sovereignty, and the republic's role in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
· Focus: Geopolitical theory, U.S. strategic positioning, defense reforms, and reflections on the security challenges facing democratic states.
· Tone: Authoritative, philosophical, yet accessible.
Each Month, I’ll provide a mix of the following:
Long-form Essays: Deep dives into the most pressing security issues of our time, using the Compound Security framework to break down complex, multi-dimensional threats.
Case Studies: Lessons from past conflicts and contemporary crises, offering actionable insights on how to manage and mitigate compound risks.
Timely Analysis: Quick takes on breaking news, linking current events to broader strategic trends, and exploring their implications for global security.
Interactive Q&A: Monthly opportunities for subscribers to engage directly with me, ask questions, and deepen our collective understanding of the future of warfare and security.
In the coming posts, I’ll cover a wide range of topics—from the role of non-state actors like Hezbollah in reshaping regional conflicts to the ways in which cyber and economic warfare are becoming inseparable from traditional military engagements. I will also explore strategic foresight in defense planning, helping us anticipate the challenges of tomorrow rather than just reacting to those of today.
The Case for Strategic Foresight
We can no longer afford to rely on reactive thinking when it comes to security. A world that changes as quickly as ours requires strategic foresight.
Take, for example, the recent assassination of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah—a flashpoint that could transform Lebanon from a relatively contained front into a critical battlefield in the wider Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah conflict. But this is not just a military issue. The economic collapse in Lebanon, exacerbated by the war, could create a humanitarian disaster, while cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns ripple across the region.
Take Russia's recent use of cyber tactics in Ukraine. This isn’t a traditional military invasion—it’s the perfect example of compound security. Cyber-attacks targeting infrastructure have crippled Ukraine’s economy, while disinformation campaigns have undermined public trust, creating a battlefield that spans physical, digital, and psychological domains. Russia's hybrid warfare demonstrates how future conflicts will combine technology, economics, and information warfare, demanding responses that go far beyond conventional military strategies.
These are the types of compounded threats that traditional military thinking doesn’t fully account for. We need to move beyond outdated models of warfare to think about security in its full context—interconnected, dynamic, and often unpredictable. Only then can we develop strategies that ensure not just our survival, but our long-term stability.
Join the Conversation
This newsletter is about more than just presenting ideas—it’s about creating a space for dialogue. I invite you to become part of the conversation, to challenge the old ways of thinking, and to explore with me how we can best prepare for the uncertain future of global security.
We’ll be covering a lot of ground in the coming weeks, and I encourage you to subscribe so you don’t miss out. If you’re interested in understanding the complexities of today’s global security challenges—or if you’re simply curious about the future of conflict—I welcome you to join me in this exploration.
Together, we can think strategically, act decisively, and prepare for the world that lies ahead.
Isaiah "Ike" Wilson III, PhD
Founder and CEO, Wilson W.i.S.E. Consulting LLC
Former U.S. Army Colonel, DOD Civilian Executive & Senior Advisor on Global Security
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