3/5/26 Robert Pape on the Limits of Air Power

Scott interviews author and scholar Robert Pape about the insights he’s gained from his decades of extensive research into the strategic effectiveness of air power in war. Pape argues that, while modern precision bombs are remarkable at carrying out their tactical functions, they alone are not enough to win wars. And further, the obsession with tactical bombing campaigns can distract decisionmakers from the political dynamics that primarily determine how wars end. Discussed on the show: Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War by Robert A. Pape The Escalation Trap Robert A. Pape is Professor of Political Science and Director of the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats and the author of Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War. Follow him on Twitter @ProfessorPape Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott’s full interview archives: This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated Moon Does Artisan Coffee Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom and Dissident Media You can also support Scott’s work by making a one-time or recurring donation at or Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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3/5/26 Robert Pape on the Limits of Air Power is an episode from Scott Horton Show Interviews by Scott Horton.

This episode is 34:23 long.

This episode was published on Mar 8, 2026.

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