Understanding the Russian General Staff

The Russian General Staff operates fundamentally differently from comparable institutions in the West, where it is seen as an intellectual elite within the military structure. General staff officers receive extensive training through multiple schools and academies, culminating in their roles within this cohesive entity. This contrasts sharply with Western military organizations, where different branches of the military maintain distinct identities. Consequently, the general staff's collective decision-making power grows in times of conflict, influencing both military strategy and political policy.