As we close out 2024, War on the Rocks reflects on the stories and analyses that resonated most with our readers during a year marked by evolving geopolitical tensions, transformative military technologies, and the enduring echoes of history. From strategic challenges in Europe and Asia to the complexities of warfare in Ukraine and Gaza, our top articles reflect the depth and breadth of both our interests and the turbulence of our world. This year’s most-read pieces reveal a continued focus on the intersection of technology and strategy, as debates over drone warfare, economic resilience, and the future of military force structure have taken center stage.
They also underscore an enduring curiosity about the lessons of history and how they inform today’s challenges. Trevor Phillips-Levine and Walker D. Mills, “ Outgunned in the Drone Fight: The U.
S. Military Is Failing to Adopt the Next Machine Gun ” Zack Cooper and Gregory Poling, “ The South China Sea Dog that Hasn’t Barked ..
. Yet ” Ryan Gingeras, “ Brices Cross Roads: The Greatest Battle in World History? ” Pierre-Marie Meunier, “ Russia Is on a Slow Path to Bankruptcy, But How Slow? ” Nick Danby, “ By, With, and Through at the Second Thomas Shoal ” Michael Kofman, Rob Lee, and Dara Massicot, “ Hold, Build, and Strike: A Vision for Rebuilding Ukraine’s Advantage in 2024 ” Kori Schake, “ Longstreet and How Much Work Remains to Be Done ” Cole Livieratos, “ Cutting Army Special Operations.