Expert Comment: The Russian War against Ukraine: retrospect and prospect
Published on February 17, 2023
Understanding the decision calculus of President Putin that led to his war against Ukraine, and his plans for the next few months and years, is challenging. Yet, to aid us, we can refer to the pattern of his behaviour, the statements he has made, and the sorts of individuals he has surrounded himself with.
By Dr Rob Johnson, the Director of the Changing Character of War Research Centre at Oxford's Pembroke College, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Defence as the inaugural Director of the Office of Net Assessment and Challenge, bringing critical thinking to bear on UK strategy. He has been intimately involved in assessing the conflict in Ukraine.