2019/10/08 by Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky, Dmitry Adamsky
Social Sciences · #International Relations and Foreign Policy #European and Russian Geopolitical Military Strategies #Intelligence, Security, War Strategy
paper · doi:10.1080/01402390.2019.1668273
This article explores the extent to which Moscow’s modus operandi during the military campaign in Syria demonstrates change or continuity in Russian strategic culture. It discusses five main characteristics of the Russian conduct and argues that these traits demonstrate more continuity than change in the Russian style of war. However, it suggests that change possibly might be evolving on the tactical-operational level – the emergence of a mission command culture. The article offers competing explanations for this eventuality, which the Syrian campaign has highlighted, and advances a conceptual debate in IR on the shifts in strategic culture.