THINKING STRATEGY

Alastair Finlan writes about military strategy and modern warfare.

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Some thoughts on CENTCOM's leadership in the Iran War.
https://t.co/50uRLOhYIe

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Some musings on the Oreshnik missile https://t.co/pRpJpH8cLA

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 there was a recognition of the dangers of missile escalation in the United States. Thankfully young/dynamic democrats in the White House sought innovative solutions to avoid the horror of accidental nuclear war. The contrast today is stark.

[euronews @euronews]

Putin has threatened to target Kyiv with Oreshnik missiles, which he claims are capable of bypassing all modern defences.

The recently launched missile carries six warheads and can reach speeds 10 times faster than sound.

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

These attacks show that Russia has a clear aim with its air campaign. This is an important feature what is called a 'strategy'. Sadly, the West stumbled through the entire Global War on Terror without any strategy at all. Time to think more about this thing called strategy .

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Russia launched a massive missile attack, backed by drones, on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday, leaving millions of people without power, Ukrainian officials said. https://t.co/NEJsiKhf9o

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

A clear political/nuclear signal of the most dangerous kind since the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). The strike mirrored a lecture on nuclear strategy by John Garnett 30 years ago. Never thought I would witness MIRVs hitting targets in my lifetime. Time to urgently de-escalate.

[World News Tonight @ABCWorldNews]

Russia launched a new experimental ballistic missile with multiple warheads, hitting a major Ukrainian city. Putin said the unprecedented attack was in response to U.S. and British missiles used against its forces. @IanPannell has details. https://t.co/wjzwJcHX65

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

The tension between cutting real military capabilities (amphibious assault ships) at the same time as provoking a far more powerful foe shows that British defence policy remains incoherent. Unlike other wars of choice, the costs of getting it wrong are so much higher for the UK.

[Deborah Haynes @haynesdeborah]

The inconsistency of the UK government's announcement that it will weaken its defences to save cash on the same day as British missiles struck Russia in defiance of Moscow's threats will not be lost on the Kremlin.

Acting tough but carrying an increasingly small stick has been a hallmark of UK defence policy since the end of the Cold War.

But with global threats on the rise, rebuilding Britain's military strength to match its ambition is surely vital to avoid the risk of becoming a liability.

https://t.co/l3Q8dyCQF6

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Perhaps the shape of things to come. These sea-based data cables are very vulnerable to interdiction. How a society would react to having limited or significantly reduced Internet access is open to speculation. It could have wide-ranging political, social and economic effects.

[Mark Urban @MarkUrban01]

Did Chinese flagged vessel sabotage undersea communications cables in the Baltic? More details here on what's going on 👇

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

In 1981 the government decided to do the same thing with two amphibious ships (same age). They were critical to Britain's success in the Falklands War. Simple defence facts: the UK is an island. Wars are won on land. The projection of substantial military power rests with the RN.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

The UK will scrap five warships, dozens of military helicopters and a fleet of drones to save money despite growing threats abroad.

Sky's security and defence editor @haynesdeborah looks at what is being axed ⬇️

https://t.co/PpuQK9Tfjw

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Potentially a big step forward for UK airpower. Nevertheless, in an advanced air defence environment, a limited range of 100km carries great risk to the aircraft and the pilot. An S-400 ground-based air defence missile has at least double (sometimes three times) the range.

[Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQ]

SPEAR is a next generation cruise missile and can hit targets from 100km away. It's designed to be used against a range of targets, including air defences, ships, tanks, defended structures and fast-moving vehicles.

Footage of the successful test firing provided by @MBDAGroup

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

The use of battlefield drones armed with guns is not a realm of fantasy and is likely to be seen more often in future warfare. The account here to the UK Parliament of their use against bombed civilians in Gaza raises profound legal/ethical questions about their employment.

[Sarah Champion @SarahChampionMP]

Today the @CommonsIDC heard harrowing evidence on the use of drones in Gaza, targeting and shooting civilians, including children @UNWRA @MedicalAidPal @PalestineRCS ⁦@hrw⁩

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

From Russia with love.... https://t.co/cxa1tNcKvn

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Never underestimate the utility of radar-controlled guns! From the footage available it seems that AA guns accounted for many of the incoming missiles. Lessons to be learnt here in the West when considering future integrated/layered air defence in the age of drones and missiles.

[The Telegraph @Telegraph]

🔴 Iran vows revenge for Israeli strike on Tehran

The attack risks pushing the arch-enemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiralling violence across the Middle East.

Follow LIVE👇
https://t.co/Gsu6F17Loc

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Missile offence vs defence. It is clear that a significant number of Iranian missiles defeated Israel's air defence system last night. The focus appears to be on military and security assets/infrastructure. There is much to be learnt from this sophisticated use of missile power.

[Nick Schifrin @nickschifrin]

Outside Mossad HQ, 1050p local:

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

En bra dag för Sverige och försvarsmakten! Lycka till ÖB Michael Claesson!

[Pål Jonson @PlJonson]

Tillträdande ÖB Michael Claesson kommer nu få ta vidare det viktiga jobbet med uppbyggnaden av krigsförbanden och i att öka försvarets operativa förmåga. I detta kommer Försvarsmakten få stöd från Försvarsdepartementet. (1/3)

Foto: Zacarias Johansson/Försvarsmakten

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Completely agree! Research is the beating heart of a university, but sadly that is often lost in the 'student experience' debate at the PVC level. The former reinforces the latter!

[Rory Cormac @RoryCormac]

1. Define elite
2. Framing research as loss making is unhelpful & will make things worse
3. Research is intertwined with teaching anyway - “research-informed/led teaching”
4. Research is a core part of what a university does. Without it you’re not a university

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

An interesting development. It does beg the question in the stress of combat of whether having a technology that prevents the shooter from firing is really a sensible option. What happens if the sensor gets confused when multiple targets are attacking and disables the trigger?

[BFBS Forces News @ForcesNews]

New intelligent sighting system gives British forces SMASH power against aerial drones 💥

Around 500 SMASH X4 sighting systems are being used across the three services by close combat troops – designed to give personnel the edge against UAVs

Read more 👉 https://t.co/VrfAwJr8xe

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

A very thoughtful and promising message with good insight. Much work needs to be done and quickly. The 'mass' nettle will have to be gripped at some stage by the UK because three times the firepower may not suffice against enemies with fielded 10x plus (numerical superiority).

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

RCDS is the jewel in the crown of the UK's service education. Former Wilson Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University @AberUni and the first Lecturer in Strategic Studies in the UK, John Garnett, had a significant role in updating its syllabus many moons ago.

[Thammy Evans @thammyevans]

Graduating from the global Strategy Programme @ComdtRCDS.

What a year of reflection, contemplation and enviable focus on matters of global strategy, making global friends along the way.

We need many more women on the course, so step forward ladies, and be recognised.

[THINKING STRATEGY @thinkstrat23]

Ett bra beslut!

[Försvarsdepartementet @ForsvarsdepSv]

Regeringen ger Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap (MSB) och länsstyrelserna i uppdrag att göra en övergripande planering av åtgärder för att stärka skyddet av civilbefolkningen. Läs mer: https://t.co/EXszxUYTK5

[Dstl @dstlmod]

Want to gain US Special Operations Forces insight on your innovative technology ideas?

@USSOCOM is inviting industry, academia, government labs and individuals to submit nominations to its #Arctic Technical Experimentation event in Norway

https://t.co/GL4BmKMTC3