In the latest episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller sat down with retired US Air Force Colonel Jeffrey Fisher to discuss the evolving geopolitical and electromagnetic warfare landscape. With a virtual studio audience in attendance, the conversation ranged from NATO dynamics under President Trump’s new administration to the intensifying electronic spectrum battle in Ukraine.
NATO on the Brink of Change
With the inauguration of President Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, many in the international community are bracing for significant shifts in foreign policy. From his vantage point in Vienna, Austria, Fisher provided insights into how European allies are reacting.
“Europe has been bracing itself for the last three months for this day,” Fisher remarked. “You see a lot of posturing by politicians across Europe, across NATO specifically.”
He noted that while Poland and the Baltic states are increasing their defense spending, Germany remains hesitant due to internal political and economic constraints. This creates potential fractures within NATO as nations struggle to align on security priorities.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum as the New Battlefield
One of the most striking elements of the conversation was the emphasis on the growing complexity of electromagnetic spectrum warfare. Fisher described the situation in Ukraine as a chaotic and contested space where traditional military communication structures are breaking down.
“The Spectrum war in Ukraine is just getting worse,” Fisher warned. “It’s getting to the point where commercial airliners in Europe are declaring emergencies and diverting because they’re losing GPS.”
This growing instability is pushing both Ukraine and Russia toward mass production of First-Person View (FPV) drones, now reliant on fiber optic cables to circumvent jamming issues.
The Future of Electromagnetic Warfare
Fisher also discussed the need for improved EMS battle management, arguing that the current approach is inadequate.
“We’re fooling ourselves as EW warriors when we say we can manage this with just a handful of people. The spectrum is a five-dimensional battlespace – latitude, longitude, altitude, frequency and time.”
He emphasized that AI-driven solutions are necessary to handle the complexity of real-time spectrum operations.
A Call for Greater Advocacy and Engagement
Both Miller and Fisher stressed the importance of engaging the broader defense community in spectrum warfare discussions. With AOC Europe in Rome on the horizon, Fisher encouraged listeners to participate.
“There is no better advocate for the spectrum than you,” he told the audience. “If we’re not the ones standing up for EMS, then why should someone else?”
As the conversation wrapped up, Fisher shared his upcoming participation at the Munich Security Conference, where he will be discussing how European nations can integrate disruptive EMS technology into their defense strategies.
Final Thoughts
The episode underscored a crucial reality: as electronic warfare becomes more sophisticated, outdated strategies and bureaucratic inertia will only hinder the U.S. and its allies. The need for reform, innovation, and strong leadership in the EMS domain has never been more urgent.
For those interested in diving deeper, From the Crows’ Nest remains an essential listen. Stay tuned for more conversations that continue to shape the dialogue on electronic warfare and global security.
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