Strategy&Future

The war in Ukraine continues. Its course emphasises the very significant influence of the USA on the political system of Europe. At the same time, a “rebellion of the periphery” is being carried out through an attempt to reduce the power of Germany and France in the European Union by Central and Eastern Europe with Poland at the forefront. In this combined context, we (in Poland) are not reaching out enough to the Scandinavian countries with joint initiatives: in particular, to Sweden, Finland and Norway – let’s skip Denmark as an insignificant player in the political game in Europe. These countries are a multiplier of the potential of our region, which wants to be supported by the Anglo-Saxons, through liaison with the Atlantic policy of the USA. The Scandinavians unanimously share this geostrategic orientation and have real troops and real importance in the clash with Russia.

Jacek Bartosiak and Albert Świdziński of S&F – View From Poland: World in Turmoil, part 2. 01/2023. Russian plans and future of Europe.

Jacek Bartosiak talks to Gen. (ret.) Ben Hodges, former commander of US Army Europe – on war in Ukraine and its prospects in 2023.

This part of the series is a record of conclusions and observations resulting directly from conversations with the participants of this war — soldiers and officers.

Despite receiving enormous military, economic, social, and financial assistance from the West, the Ukrainian economy and social situation is going to deteriorate. If we see a continuation of the war for the next half a year and the Kremlin decides to continue its systematic attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as part of its winter military operations, there is a great danger that Ukraine is going to join the group of disaster zones that have appeared in Syria, Yemen and Libya as a result of the geopolitical confrontation between East and West. If the situation with electricity does not stabilize in the near future, the greatest humanitarian crisis in Europe since 1945 might be inevitable.

Oleksij Arestowicz in his recent conversations, including one with me, has started talking about the need to build a military alliance between Ukraine and Poland. Moreover, he actually started talking about a broader alliance, almost a union of the bloc of states between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, that would hold back Russia and secure the new security architecture. What is it about, how should it be understood?

Thus, Moscow was preparing for an offensive operation in Eastern Europe. It was planned to get acquainted with questions of defence only to the extent that they arose during the course of the games...

Ukraine and Russia are facing a completely new stage in the escalation of hostilities. The war is gradually changing its shape, form and perspective. It has become more aggressive and unpredictable – towards total war with total mobilisation of the entire economy, society and technological power of the belligerent states and their global allies. One of the realistic scenarios which will implement the whole belligerence of a fight between two sides is the possible upcoming battle of Kherson.

In February this year, war broke out in the east. Russia attacked Ukraine. A certain stage in the history of our region and in the history of the world has come to an end. For years, we have been talking and writing here at Strategy&Future about the need to prepare for new times, and to prepare for the reform of the Polish military. These new times have come. Today – part three about lessons from the war, for Poland and for our military.

Miscalculations, according to Zakharov, were also made during the games with the creation of an advantageous aspect ratio – an important factor in the preparation, conduct and successful completion of any operations...

Marek Budzisz and Ridvan Bari Urcosta talk to Dr. Pavel Luzin (a visiting scholar at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, a regular contributor at The Jamestown Foundation, Riddle and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a specialist in international relations and an expert on the Russian Armed Forces) on Russian military-industrial complex and the war in Ukraine.

In February this year, war broke out in the east. Russia attacked Ukraine. A certain stage in the history of our region and in the history of the world has come to an end. For years, we have been talking and writing here at Strategy&Future about the need to prepare for the new times, to prepare for the reform of the Polish military. These new times have come. Today, part two of the lessons from the war, for Poland and for our military.