The Belfer Center of Harvard University and the Irregular Warfare Initiative of the Modern War Institute held a virtual panel discussion entitled Resistance to Russian Aggression: Irregular Warfare in Eastern Europe on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
Panelists include:
- LTG Antonio Fletcher, Commander NATO Special Operations HQ (NSHQ)
- BG Riho Uhtegi, Commander Estonian Defense League
- Petri Tuivonew, Secretary General Finnish Security Committee
- Nataliya Buguyova, Institute for the Study of War
- Doug Livermore, LTC, Special Forces officer
The topic of the Ukraine – Russia conflict was a constant topic through the discussion. The implementation of the Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) was also woven through the online event as well as the importance of ‘total resistance’, ‘territorial defense’, ‘whole of society approach’, and ‘resilience’. Also recognized was that preparation is needed prior to conflict to be able to resist an aggressor, the use of special operations forces helps to enable an effective resistance, and the importance of the total integration of all of society into a resistance and / or resilience movement.
The changing nature of ‘resistance’, as demonstrated by the Ukrainian forces, was noted by panelists as well. LTG Fletcher cautioned against characterizing the Ukraine Russian conflict as one of just ‘resistance’; the Ukrainians have incorporated a variety of means to fight the Russians – using information operations, modern tank killing methods, guerrilla resistance in occupied areas, networked communications, air defense, OSINT, and more.
Resistance to Russian Aggression: Irregular Warfare in Eastern Europe, YouTube, one hour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8JD-9SZXI
