Once hailed as the Kremlin’s masterstroke in sub-threshold warfare, the so-called “Gerasimov Doctrine” has shaped Western interpretations of Russian hybrid conflict since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. But as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on, its early fusion of psychological operations, information warfare, and kinetic ambiguity is giving way to an older, bloodier reality. This post reevaluates the Gerasimov Doctrine—where it came from, what remains relevant, and what recent failures suggest about its limits. Read More…
From its fragmented beginnings in the early 1980s to its current vertically integrated dominance, China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has evolved from a marginal actor to a central pillar of the Communist Party’s internal and external power projection. This post traces the evolution of the MSS in terms of structure, function, and authority, culminating in a centralization campaign under Xi Jinping that has reshaped the very fabric of China’s intelligence and security architecture. Read More…
Ukraine’s Operation “Spider’s Web” is a turning point in military history—a strategic drone campaign that destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft using cheap, AI-enhanced drones launched from disguised cargo trucks. This operation exemplifies how unmanned systems, deception, and rapid adaptation can neutralize multi-billion-dollar defense platforms. The implications are profound for U.S. defense posture, European security policy, and the global arms race in autonomy. At The Security Nexus, we analyze how $1,000 drones are now the most decisive tools on the battlefield. Read More…
Ukraine’s successful drone swarm strike deep inside Russian territory marks a turning point in modern warfare. As inexpensive, autonomous UAVs exploit gaps in legacy air defense systems, this event serves as a clarion call to Western militaries: drone swarms aren’t just the future—they are the now. This post explores the strategic implications of drone swarm warfare, the lessons from Ukraine’s asymmetric success, and the urgent need for scalable countermeasures like high-power microwave (HPM) weapons. Read More…
Not all cyberattacks are designed to be covert. In fact, some are intended to be seen, blamed, and remembered. This post explores the strategic logic of cyber signaling, examining when states want attribution, why visibility can be more powerful than damage, and how cyber swaggering reshapes the landscape of coercion in the digital age. Read More…
