Western Way of War John Spencer: Urban Warfare as the Great Leveller
Sep 8, 2021
John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, shares his extensive knowledge on the complexities of urban warfare. He critiques the outdated ‘avoid and bypass’ strategies, emphasizing that urban combat requires specialized, adaptive approaches. The discussion dives into how dense environments favor defenders and the need for integrated tactics. Spencer also highlights the lessons learned from recent conflicts involving Russia and China, urging a reevaluation of military readiness for future urban battles.
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Urban Warfare Is Here To Stay
- Peter Roberts warns avoid-and-bypass is unrealistic for modern conflicts.
- He argues urbanized spaces will dominate future battlefields.
Urban Terrain Empowers Defenders
- John Spencer says urban terrain equalizes and amplifies defender advantage.
- It negates many advanced attacker methods including sensors and maneuver.
Shusha Showed Cities Decide Wars
- John Spencer cites Shusha in Nagorno‑Karabakh as decisive once the city fell.
- Urban seizure translated directly into political and strategic victory.