The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War

by Jim Sciutto

Military observers have repeatedly pointed to the Ukrainian forces’ ability to innovate in real time. One notable example is how they adapted to fire their artillery for far longer and with greater frequency than had been assumed possible. Dire necessity, said Representative Quigley, was the mother of adaptation. “They learned how to adjust on the fly,” Quigley said. “You’d be surprised how fast you learn when your ass is on the line and you don’t want your spouse to be raped.” Many commanders credit training by NATO forces, which accelerated following Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014. In particular, under western instruction, Ukrainians invested their officers and NCOs with the ability and agency to make their own decisions on the battlefield—to take the initiative and adapt on their own. “The US is typically like that,” said General Kelly. “Our troops are very well trained. Our troops are the best at it: ‘Take the hill,’ commanders say, ‘and I’m not going to tell you how to do it.’ ” Russian forces, on the other hand, reserve decision-making to only the highest ranks. “The Russians are very top-down, very controlling,” said Kelly. “One thing Stalin would never buy is too many people taking the initiative. Communist regimes didn’t want their people thinking. Warfare is so chaotic. If you haven’t developed your people so that they’re very good on their own, I think you will always lose to someone who is doing that.” As attention increasingly focuses on China’s po...