#WavellReviews “Next War” by John Antal
In "Next War: Reimagining How We Fight" by John Antal, the author delves into the shifting nature of modern warfare by drawing insights from three recent conflicts: the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020, the Israel-Hamas war of 2021, and Russia's 2023 invasion of Ukraine. Antal identifies nine key disruptors in warfare, starting with the "transparent battlefield" and includes others like AI's role in war's tempo and the concept of "decision dominance." Through fictional yet realistic scenarios, he illustrates the implications of each disruptor. The book's final chapters stand out, offering a set of "command post rules" and introducing the concept of "forging battleshock," which focuses on overwhelming adversaries. While Antal's analysis provides valuable insights into how Western militaries might adapt to these disruptors, it raises the need for further exploration of how other global powers are learning and adapting, and how these disruptors can be countered. The book serves as a significant contribution to understanding the evolving character of warfare and holds potential for future analytical explorations.
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