In what will be the first I hope of a regular series of comments for Business New Europe, today I explore to greater depth the way that Putin’s political techniques in Ukraine in many ways are a counterpart to the military tactics of the successful guerrilla. Here are the first and last paragraphs as a taster:
Successful guerrillas master the art of asymmetric warfare, making sure that the other side has to play the game by their rules and doesn’t get the opportunity to take advantage of its probably superiority in raw firepower. Appreciating the massive military, political and economic preponderance of the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin is demonstrating that he is a master of asymmetric politics.
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In this new Great Game, spies and political operators will be every bit as crucial as tanks and helicopters. More to the point, it demands flexibility, ruthlessness and clarity of aim. This is, let’s be honest, the ideal kind of contest for Vladimir Putin and his Russia.
(I’ve also explored this theme from different angles elsewhere, including a blog post here on “Great Game II” to a consideration of the tools and techniques used not just by Russia but in what is, I think, a wider global trend, in Russia! magazine: “The New Great Gamers“.
cbmilne33
/ April 14, 2014Reblogged this on Cbmilne33’s Blog.
rovitot
/ April 14, 2014Reblogged this on rovitothis201 and commented:
“In this new Great Game, spies and political operators will be every bit as crucial as tanks and helicopters.”
Derek Venker
/ April 17, 2014Just read this piece on Spiegel Online.
Congratulations I have to say.
The current reporting climate in Germany is so messed up that this was a true gem to find. A stone cold analysis instead of propaganda for whichever side.