The Russo-Ukraine War is a vital learning opportunity for military strategists across the globe. The first and clearest lesson to be gleaned from it is this: the soundness of a military's strategy and the nimbleness with which it can adapt to unforeseen circumstances are the two most important factors in deciding victory or defeat. The War for Ukraine analyzes the war through these twin lenses of strategy and adaptation, detailing how each army has succeeded or failed to plan for and adapt to this twenty-first century war.

Author Mick Ryan examines the foundations of Ukrainian and Russian strategy for their ongoing war, looking back over several decades to reveal how both sides have evolved their military strategy and force structure. Each has undertaken institutional-level reforms of their military and national security enterprises in the decade leading up to this war. But because the emergent behavior of military forces after fighting begins cannot be fully predicted, these prewar reforms only constitute a starting point for adaptation during the war. Part I of the book covers the role of strategic leadership, with a focus on evolution of strategy since February 2022. From there, the second part of the book delves into how the Ukrainians and Russians have adapted their tactics, organizations, operational approaches, and strategic foundations for war-making throughout the conflict.

Central to this discussion are the ways that, regardless of cutting-edge technology, human elements have remained a crucial deciding factor in Ukraine. Ryan shows how good leadership allows a nation to navigate the ambiguity and uncertainty of conflict, while poor leadership leaves it vulnerable to surprises. Likewise, The War for Ukraine offers case studies of the importance of an institution's ability to nurture and reward human learning as it relates to combat. The book provides strategists, policymakers, and military leaders with a basis from which to plan for constant adaption in military organizations. General readers of contemporary global conflict will also find The War for Ukraine of great interest.

About the Author
Mick Ryan is a retired major general in the Australian Army and a distinguished graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, as well as the USMC Command and Staff College and USMC School of Advanced Warfare. Ryan is a passionate advocate of professional education and lifelong learning. He has commanded at platoon, squadron, regiment, task force, and brigade levels. Ryan has also led strategic planning organizations in the Australian Army and led several reform programs in the past decade. He is a Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Lowy Institute. He is the author of War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First Century Great Power Competition and Corruption (Naval Institute Press, 2022).

Reviews
In the aftermath of Russia's brutal, unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Mick Ryan quickly emerged as one of the war's essential analysts. Mick brings to bear his extensive command experience and historical understanding to explain the strategies employed by both Moscow and Kyiv, and how they have adapted these strategies. He draws out the lessons which military planners should take from this conflict. Through it all, he never loses his moral compass or his sense of outrage at Russia's behaviour. I commend Mick Ryan's book to anyone wishing to understand the war in Ukraine and its implications for warfare in the twenty-first century."-Michael Fullilove, Executive Director, Lowy Institute

"Mick Ryan knows war. As a student, a professor, and a practitioner, he imparts the horrors of Ukraine with brutal but objective truth. From the human to the technological, the tactical to the strategic, this book explores key lessons (identified but not necessarily learned!) from this war with humility. Ryan draws critical insights on how we should think about aggression, vulnerability, what drives and constitutes strategy, and what adaptation really means on the battlefield. This is a must read for all of society; our citizens, politicians, national security leaders, war planners, war fighters, and the industries that supports them. Loved the critical distinction between lessons and lessons learned! SO IMPORTANT."-Rebecca Shrimpton, Director, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)



Book Information
ISBN 9781682479520
Author Mick Ryan
Format Hardback
Page Count 360
Imprint Naval Institute Press
Publisher Naval Institute Press