--- title: "Commanding general in Iraq and Syria goes ‘Between Two T-Walls’ with Task & Purpose" description: "Vowell spent a year as the commanding general of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria." date: "2024-08-13" modified: "2024-08-13" authors: - name: "Matt White" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/matt-white/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/vowell-iraq-syria-interview-t-w/" categories: - "Culture" - "Humor" tags: - "adsafety" - "attack" - "iraq" - "ISIS" - "killed" --- # Commanding general in Iraq and Syria goes ‘Between Two T-Walls’ with Task & Purpose ![Between Two T-Walls]() *Army Maj. Gen. Joel “JB” Vowell spoke with Task & Purpose in June as he neared the end of his one-year stint as commanding general of Operation Inherent Resolve.* On Wednesday, Aug. 14, Task & Purpose will publish the first edition of a new interview series with military leaders and newsmakers, ‘Between Two T-Walls.’ Our first episode is a wide-ranging, sit-down interview between Pentagon reporter Jeff Schogol and Army Maj. Gen. Joel “JB” Vowell, who we spoke to as he was finishing a one-year stint as the commanding general of Operation Inherent Resolve. We modeled the show's format on the deadpan celebrity interview show “Between Two Ferns,” hosted by Zach Galifianakis. And you probably have seen [a 'highlight reel' of Jeff fearlessly questioning recalcitrant Pentagon spokespeople](). But while ‘T-Walls’ will have its share of tongue-in-cheek downrange humor, it's also a news interview between our expert journalists and the military leaders whose decisions can directly affect anyone in uniform. https://twitter.com/TaskandPurpose/status/1823361435348435077 The first episode with Gen. Vowell was filmed this summer at the end of Vowell's year-long command of OIR (he left the post last week). As OIR commander, Vowell oversaw the US-led mission to [defeat the Islamic State group]() in Iraq and Syria. Troops under Vowell’s command have faced[ attacks on their bases]() while carrying out scores of [raids and airstrikes on ISIS targets.]() [**Subscribe to Task & Purpose**]() **today. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.** In 'Between Two T-Walls,' Vowell discusses the motives and pressure of Iranian militia groups attacking U.S. forces in the region, whether the United States can deter Iran the same way it contained the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and the tactical lessons his command learned from a drone attack in January that [killed three soldiers at a base in Jordan.]() Schogol also asked Vowell what he would tell those who served in the Global War on Terrorism who wonder if their service was worth the sacrifice, a question that many veterans of the post 9/11 wars continue to struggle with. https://twitter.com/TaskandPurpose/status/1823400533459181605 The full video will be released Wednesday. See it first by[ **subscribing to our newsletter.**]() ## The latest on Task & Purpose - **Command sergeant major for Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade** [**fired**]() - **The ‘**[**Swift Boating**]()**’ of Tim Walz has begun. What is the truth?** - **Army officer and West Point grad** [**crowned Miss USA**]() - **New** [**recruiting MOS**]() **selects first class of 25** - **A guide to** [**all the parachutes**]() **that American paratroopers ‘ride to work’** ## Author Matt White is a senior editor at Task & Purpose*.* He writes on news, people and events that affect the lives of those in the Army, Air Force and Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. He also helps direct and edit coverage across Task & Purpose’s newsroom. He has written widely on military aviation and mishaps, service members with unique stories, and special operations including [combat search and rescue](). Got a story to tell? You can reach Matt at [matthew.white@taskandpurpose.com]() ### Author social links [Facebook]()