Modern Warfare: Lessons from Ukraine
March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1
In-Person – 1:10 pm – 2:50 pm
The war between Russia and Ukraine has revolutionized modern warfare in more ways than any other recent war. What many assumed would be a relatively short, decisive war in Russia’s favor has become a continual contest of endurance, political will, and adaptation. We discuss why the ostensibly superior Russia has been unable to defeat and subjugate Ukraine. We also discuss how the Russia-Ukraine war has changed warfare on political, economic, military, cyber, information, and nuclear fronts. The course focuses on how the West can apply lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war to improve its deterrence and defense capabilities.
- Week 1: War of attrition: the political dimension
- Week 2: War of attrition: the military dimension
- Week 3: War of attrition: the economic dimension
- Week 4: The changing nature of fighting in the information domain
- Week 5: How drone combat in Ukraine is changing warfare
- Week 6: The Russia-Ukraine War: lessons for irregular warfare
- Week 7: The changing role of cyber operations
- Week 8: The altered nuclear order as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War
Olena Lennon, is an Adjunct Professor of National Security at the University of New Haven, where she teaches such courses as the U.S. Foreign and Defense Policy, International Relations, and U.S. National Security. An Eastern Ukraine native, she also serves as an election observer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and has completed several election observation missions in the region. Formerly a Fulbright scholar and most recently a Title VIII Scholar at Woodrow Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute in Washington, DC, Olena has dedicated her research to domestic and international politics of Ukraine, as well as Eurasian geopolitics and security writ large. Dr. Lennon also serves on Freedom House’s team of Ukraine experts that produces a yearly “Freedom in the World” report focused on assessing Ukraine’s domestic political environment. She has also conducted Ukraine country studies training for U.S. advisors to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, under the auspices of the United States European Command (EUCOM) Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC).