Old Generation Warfare: The Evolution "Not Revolution" of the Russian Way of Warfare

Abstract

The post-Cold War honeymoon with Russia is over. Russia's seizure of the Crimea and the subsequent conflict to annex the Donbas imperils the legitimacy of the NATO alliance. U.S. allies on NATO's eastern flank foresee the same aggression occurring in their countries and, having endured Moscow's suzerainty for over a half century, these nations prefer freedom to vassalage. Consequently, U.S. military professionals must reacquaint themselves with the Russian way of war-fare. The U.S. Army Operating Concept defines Russia as a competing power and a harbinger of future conflict. Moreover, the National Security Strategy speaks of the United States leading the effort toward countering Russian aggression.