Moscow’s use of military power in Syria differs from its pursuit of warfare in Georgia in August 2008, or more recently in Ukraine. This appears to be confirmed by a comparison of the force sizes deployed in Georgia and Syria, as well as the use versus avoidance of ground forces in the two conflicts. Commentaries by Russian military specialists and theorists present a nuanced picture, rooted in the state’s long-known interest in asymmetric warfare, or integrating various forces drawn together across the power ministries and its efforts to combine high-technology-centered combat with more traditional themes (Vedomosti, February 23).
Russia’s sledgehammer approach …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation
