The Truth of the Matter
Russia's Shadow War Against the West
Mar 21, 2025
Seth Jones, president of the CSIS Defense and Security Department, sheds light on Russia's unconventional warfare tactics against the West. He delves into the alarming rise of sabotage operations and how Russia leverages local and global networks for espionage. With a detailed database of attacks, he reveals the kinetic impacts on military supply chains and the pervasive nature of misinformation campaigns designed to destabilize Western unity. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for a reevaluation of NATO's strategies in response to these aggressive operations.
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Quick takeaways
- The invasion of Ukraine represents a conventional military threat, particularly for European countries neighboring Russia, like Finland and Poland.
- Russia's shadow war involves covert operations such as sabotage and cyberattacks against Western infrastructure, showcasing a multifaceted approach to aggression.
Deep dives
Russia's Diverse Threats to the West
Russia poses multiple threats to Western nations, extending beyond conventional warfare to include irregular strategies like hybrid and subversive warfare. The invasion of Ukraine illustrates the conventional military threat, particularly for countries bordering Russia or its allies, like Finland and Poland. However, Russia also conducts covert operations, including sabotage and attacks on key infrastructure, aimed at destabilizing Western nations without crossing the threshold of open warfare. This includes activities such as bombings and incendiary actions targeting logistical support for Ukraine, highlighting the complexity and multifaceted nature of Russia's aggression.
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