Work

A European way of war: Towards doctrine to defend against Russia, without the US

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Recent changes in US foreign policy and strategic posture have forced Europe to think about meeting its security needs without US support. One issue that requires a particular focus is the question of how to deter and defend against Russia in a conventional war. This article attempts a high-level assessment of European military capability, and considers whether existing military doctrine is adequate. It argues that Europe should maintain its focus on NATO’s manoeuvrist mode of war fighting and identifies key capability gaps that need to be filled for (a) a coalition of the willing and (b) Europe as a whole to be able to fight in this way. It cautions against an unduly defensive, attritional method of fighting, based on conscript armies, as playing to Russia’s strengths instead of our own.
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410794814
FWCI: 4.02
Cites: 6
Cited by: 1
Related to: 10