Strategy&Future

“It may take longer than the visionaries think, but the pilot in the cockpit is already an endangered species.” The Economist, 2011[1] [1] Unmanned Aerial Drones: Flight of the Drones: Why the Future of Air Power Belongs to Unmanned Systems,// Economist, Oct. 8, 2011, available at http://www.economist.com/ node/21531433.

“I asked my opponents the question, ‘Who are our weapons aimed at?’ If we are to retarget our missiles, we must choose a target to aim the missiles at. Let’s suppose that we choose a target. What will the reaction be in a situation where no one aims their missiles at us while we choose an ‘enemy’ to target our missiles? What will be the international reaction and attitude toward Ukraine?” Leonid Kravchuk, 1993 TV-statement

For the Russians, a military tragedy, a catastrophe; for the Poles, a strategic victory; for the Ukrainians, a human and civil tragedy

“If you see to it that no Pole can ever become a Russian, I guarantee that Russia will not subjugate Poland.” “You will never be free as long as a single Russian soldier remains in Poland, and you will always be in danger of losing your freedom as long as Russia interferes in your affairs. But if you succeed in forcing her to deal with you as one power with another, and no longer as protector and protectorate, then profit by the exhaustion into which the Turkish war will have thrown her to accomplish your task before she is able to disturb it.”

The Russo-Georgian War in 2008 was not a challenge for the Georgian Armed Forces exclusively, but also for Russia. In fact, the consequences of the war triggered the process of the modernisation of the Russian Armed Forces. Moscow found many mistakes and operational malfunctions in the actions of its army against the Georgian Army. However, one Russian military community insider is particularly proud of the operation that was conducted during the war in the Georgian cities of Poti and Senaki. This operation was accomplished by the 45th Guards Spetsnaz (Special Purpose) Brigade.

The Russo-Georgian War in 2008 was not a challenge for the Georgian Armed Forces exclusively, but also for Russia. In fact, the consequences of the war triggered the process of the modernisation of the Russian Armed Forces. Moscow found many mistakes and operational malfunctions in the actions of its army against the Georgian Army. However, one Russian military community insider is particularly proud of the operation that was conducted during the war in the Georgian cities of Poti and Senaki. This operation was accomplished by the 45th Guards Spetsnaz (Special Purpose) Brigade.

“The Romans became the rulers of all nations, not only because of their martial art but also because of their prudence, their wisdom, their constancy, their love for glory, and the fatherland. When all these virtues disappeared under the emperors, they retained the art of war, thanks to which they controlled all the lands they conquered, despite the weakness and tyranny of their sovereigns; but when the army disintegrated, the Romans became the prey of all nations.” “An empire based on the power of arms must and must preserve it by means of arms.”

The New Generation Warfare (NGW) revolution is not only exclusively about warfare but is about the comprehensive revolution inside the entire military realm and in the supplementary sectors. In history, we have witnessed at least several NGW revolutions and every revolution had its own historical, social, and technological specificities.

The New Generation Warfare (NGW) revolution is not only exclusively about warfare but is about the comprehensive revolution inside the entire military realm and in the supplementary sectors. In history, we have witnessed at least several NGW revolutions and every revolution had its own historical, social, and technological specificities.

“Ministers come and ministers go, even dictators die, but mountain ranges stand unperturbed.” „Since the Red Sea parted for Moses and the sun obligingly paused for Joshua, the human will have been unable to recapture the control over topography and climate exhibited by those forceful gentlemen, and it is probably safe to say that it was by Russian geography rather than by men that the diminutive Corsican was finally defeated.” Nicholas Spykman, 1938

The New Generation Warfare (NGW) revolution is not only exclusively about warfare but is about the comprehensive revolution inside the entire military realm and in the supplementary sectors. In history, we have witnessed at least several NGW revolutions and every revolution had its own historical, social, and technological specificities.

Let us abstract away from what is happening now in the world and concentrate on the historical importance of the events in Afghanistan. What follows here is my humble attempt to forecast the near future which is already just over the horizon. Afghanistan itself is not so important, but the geopolitical repercussions of what’s currently playing out there can be genuinely global and historical.