Resistance and the National Defense of Small States
Mar 21, 2024
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Sandor Fabian, a retired Hungarian Special Operations Forces officer with a PhD, dives into the vital role of resistance as a defense strategy for small states. He discusses the vulnerability of these nations amid larger aggressors, emphasizing the importance of adapting military approaches to enhance resistance capabilities. Key topics include the evolving defense strategies in urban settings, the tension between NATO's interoperability goals and small states' specific needs, and the implications for U.S. Special Forces in modern conflict.
Resistance is a vital strategy for small states to counter aggression, necessitating a fundamental shift in military training and doctrine.
The evolution towards urban resistance highlights the importance of adapting national defense strategies to contemporary warfare environments and operational realities.
Deep dives
The Role of Resistance for Small States
Resistance is emerging as a crucial strategy for small states facing aggression from larger neighbors, particularly in the context of contemporary geopolitical tensions. In light of the threats posed by Russia and China, small nations like those in the Baltics are recognizing that relying solely on conventional military forces may be insufficient for their defense. By adopting a resistance-focused approach, these countries can leverage asymmetric advantages, effectively complicating the aggressor's operational considerations. This necessitates a significant rethinking of military doctrines and force structures to ensure preparedness for protracted conflicts and potential occupation scenarios.
Organizational and Training Needs for Resistance
To effectively implement a resistance strategy, small states must prioritize the development of specialized training, organization, and equipment tailored for unconventional warfare. Historically, successful resistance efforts have included both violent and non-violent components, incorporating civilian participation alongside military forces to create a robust defense network. This concept advocates for professionalizing resistance forces to ensure they are well-trained and equipped, rather than relying on partially formed units or militias. Adopting a model that integrates existing conventional military capabilities with specialized resistance training could enhance overall readiness against potential aggressors.
Urban Warfare and Resistance Strategy
The shift in focus from conventional warfare to urban resistance highlights the importance of preparing urban environments for future conflicts. As wars increasingly occur in cities, small states should adjust their national defense strategies to reflect the realities of urban warfare, including training resistance forces in urban settings and modifying infrastructure to support resistance operations. This preparation involves creating military-specific building codes and urban layouts that facilitate effective resistance against occupying forces. Such foresight not only enhances operational effectiveness during conflict but also provides strategic advantages in planning and executing resistive operations.
Implications for NATO and U.S. Special Forces
For NATO and U.S. Special Forces, adapting to support the concept of resistance in partner nations presents both challenges and opportunities. Current special operations doctrine may need to evolve to incorporate urban-focused training and equip forces for resistance efforts, thereby aligning with the strategic needs of small states. The integration of unconventional warfare principles with contemporary operational realities can bolster deterrence and enhance the capabilities of partner nations. Ultimately, fostering this shift could provide a more resilient defense posture across NATO, particularly in regions vulnerable to aggression.
In this episode, John Amble speaks to Sandor Fabian about a very specific approach to national defense: resistance. The war in Ukraine has made clear that comparatively small states can be vulnerable to the threat of aggression from larger neighbors. Resistance, Sandor argues, is the most viable means of defense for these states. But effectively embracing it as a strategic approach would require dramatic changes in force structure, training, equipment, doctrine, and more. And if small US allies choose to do so, it would have important implications for US special operations forces and for NATO.
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