Episode 19 - Dr. Ben Zweibelson: U.S. Army Veteran, Defense Innovator, and Author of “Reconceptualizing War”
Dr. Ben Zweibelson: U.S. Army Veteran, Defense Innovator, and Author of “Reconceptualizing War”
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Dr. Ben Zweibelson—Army combat veteran, internationally recognized military theorist, and author of multiple books, including his latest book, Reconceptualizing War. With over 20 years in the U.S. military, including four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Ben brings a rare blend of battlefield experience and philosophical depth to today’s conversation.
In this episode, Ben shares:
His fascinating and unconventional path from infantry combat to academia
How “thinking outside the box” shaped his career and challenged institutional norms
Key takeaways from Reconceptualizing War and how to apply it to real-world defense strategy
What history reveals about defense innovation and the role of disruptive design thinkers
How topics like space, ANTIFA, and emergence theory intersect with modern conflict
Why a multi-paradigm lens is essential for understanding today’s complex battlefields
Practical guidance for military leaders and strategists ready to question dominant war paradigms
Plus so much more!
Ben Zweibelson’s work invites us to rethink how we think about war. If you’re ready for a challenging, mind-expanding discussion that bridges tactical experience with philosophical rigor, this is the episode for you.
Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode!
Catch the podcast episode online:
YouTube - click here to listen
Spotify - click here to listen
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive email updates on new Tipping Spears Podcast episodes!
About the Guest:
Dr. Ben Zweibelson has over 3 decades in defense, 22 years in the Army Infantry with 4x combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has a doctorate in philosophy from Lancaster University UK, has lectured to multiple war colleges, universities such as Yale and John Hopkins, and to commercial organizations like IBM. He resides in Colorado Springs with his wife and three boys. His latest book, “Reconceptualizing War” through Helion & Company is out now in hardcover through Amazon, Casemate, and Helion.
Ben’s books:
Zweibelson, Ben. Reconceptualizing War (Helion & Company, UK), Hardcover edition: 09 April 2025. https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/reconceptualizing-war-.php
Zweibelson, Ben, Understanding Military Design: War, Change and Innovation, (Routledge Publishing Company), 09 June 2023. Hardcover, softcover, and digital versions. https://www.routledge.com/Understanding-the-Military-Design-Movement-War-Change-and-Innovation/Zweibelson/p/book/9781032481784
Zweibelson, Ben, Beyond the Pale: Designing Military Decision-Making Anew (Air University Press), August 16, 2023. PDF download: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/Display/Article/3496663/beyond-the-pale-designing-military-decision-making-anew/
Ben’s recent articles on conflict, war, and technology:
Monograph: Zweibelson, Ben. “War Becoming Phantasmal: A Cognitive Shift in Conflict Beyond Human Limits.” Marine Corps University Press (MCUP), Expeditions with MCUP, May 13, 2024 at: https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/War-Becoming-Phantasmal/.
Monograph: Zweibelson, Ben, Reconceptualizing the Space Domain Beyond Historical Perspectives of Warfare, Air University Press, Schriever Papers no. 1, December 06, 2023: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/Display/Article/3608993/reconceptualizing-the-space-domain-beyond-historic-perspectives-of-warfare/
Zweibelson, Ben. “The Singleton Paradox: Defense Considerations on Complexity, Emergent Technology, and the Complete Disruption of Modern Warfare.” Marine Corps University Press, Journal of Advanced Military Studies, Spring 2023, 14:01, pp. 11-46. https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MCU-Journal/JAMS-vol-14-no-1/The-Singleton-Paradox/
Zweibelson, Ben. “Whale Songs of Wars Not Yet Waged: The Demise of Natural Born Killers through Human-Machine Teamings Yet to Come.” Marine Corps University Press, Journal of Advanced Military Studies, Spring 2023, 14:01, pp. 47-82. https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MCU-Journal/JAMS-vol-14-no-1/Whale-Songs-of-Wars-Not-Yet-Waged/
Zweibelson, Ben. “Innovation Management: Embracing the Fantastic to Get the Military Moving in New Directions” Part 4 of 4: Innovation Series; Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Power, Vol. 3, Issue 1, March 04, 2025: Innovation Management: Embracing the Fantastic to Get the Military Moving in New Directions | Published in Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Power
Zweibelson, Ben. “Beating a Dead Horse: How Institutions Perpetuate Concepts into Irrelevance” Part 3 of 4: Innovation Series; Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Power, Vol. 2, Issue 1, September 30, 2024; https://ciasp.scholasticahq.com/article/123676-beating-a-dead-horse-how-institutions-perpetuate-concepts-into-irrelevance
Zweibelson, Ben. “Breaking the Newtonian Fetish: Conceptualizing War Differently for a Changing World.” Marine Corps University Press, Journal of Advanced Military Studies, 17 May 2024: https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MCU-Journal/JAMS-vol-15-no-1/Breaking-the-Newtonian-Fetish/
Zweibelson, Ben. “Innovating in New Operating Domains Begins Not in the Pragmatic and Known, but the Fantastic and Weird,” Part 2 of 4: Innovation Series; Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Power, Vol. 2, Issue 1, April 2024; https://ciasp.scholasticahq.com/article/115748-innovating-in-new-operating-domains-begins-not-in-the-pragmatic-and-known-but-the-fantastic-and-weird
Zweibelson, Ben. “Why do militaries stifle new ideas” Part 1 of 4: Innovation Series; Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Power, Vol. 2, Issue 1, February 2024; https://ciasp.scholasticahq.com/article/92958-why-do-militaries-stifle-new-ideas