The threshold of tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty must be elevated. An understanding and knowledge about Russia’s contemporary warfare strategy and tactics is important in order not to live in pre-existing frames of analysis, not to look for easy and quick solutions, not to desire simple and clear rules, and to be more open to dynamic changes in international relations.
RC_PAPERS_2016_Gunda_Reire.pdf
16.11.16
The West and Russia: Desperation and Tunnel Vision in Contemporary Warfare
It is complexity fatigue that leads to simplification, groupthink, desperation and a tendency to think only about one thing and ignore everything else. This wide-spread psychological effect is so pervasive that it even has its tradition in the decision making of international politics.
The post-Cold War era has ended, but a new name for the existing international setting has not been invented yet. One might think that the main factor of change in the current international environment is the rise of Russia’s military performance. This is only partly true, because the methods and tools of Russia’s international behaviour have also significantly altered. What we see are fruitless peace efforts, the unwrapping of Russia’s “cherished concept of multipolarity at the expense of Western-led multilateralism”, domestic tensions in the West and overwhelming uncertainty.
Read the entire book here.
