John Antal

Author manages to put lots of items and warnings in this rather small book.

Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was a conflict taking place in a period of international tension (pandemic (and economical problems throughout the world), EU/US standoff with Russia, escalation of tension in Asia (China, India etc)). From the information available (and author also notes it) Azerbaijan was long time in planning of the war and Turkey was (and remains) region super-power that backed Azerbaijan back in 1990's and in this conflict. Author explains the advantages of Azerbaijan military at the beginning, new technology, weapons and most importantly tactics and warfare methods used (developed by Turkey in Lybia and Syria). All of this definitely had impact but in my opinion major contributors to the Armenian defeat were space satellites (Turkish and Azerbaijan), decades used to map the static Armenian defenses and build up military, introduce new weaponry and tactics and train soldiers. Once these activities were completed execution of actual strike missions was relatively routine (as they say sweat saves blood, and it was proved here).

Although UAVs and loitering ammunition were the hype of the conflict (and used by Turkish and Israeli weapon manufacturers ad nauseam) I like how author points out to artillery/missile (high precision and standard) weapon system and highly trained infantry and mechanized forces as elements that must not be overlooked and that actually played important role in the conflict (missile cannot occupy the ground).

While I agree with all of the items and required steps as proscribed by the author (on how to prepare for the next war and what elements to take into account for both attack use and defence) I think author is missing out on a very specific point - logistics and ammunition capacity. As recent conflict shows ammunition (artillery, rocket, personal) expenditure can reach wild levels per day when conflict includes large armies with sufficient reserves and beyond the war-theater supplies. While quick war sounds seductive and all that sexy, conflict involving larger militaries with reserves, capable air-defense and generally able to cover all fields of operations it is very likely it will be prolongated and deadly in terms of overall use of indirect (highly-precise or not) missile and artillery. Attrition of key components like satellites and off-shore observation platforms would render lots of sexy autonomous weapons not inoperable but acting behind the lines in isolated manner. Logistics will continue to play very important role. I wish author gave more insights on this subject besides concentrating on actual direct fire new types of munitions and platforms, because logistic and planning was definitely executed on top level by Azerbaijan and Turkey military commanders.

All in all very interesting book, showing how unexpected use of high end military technology against unprepared opponent (that lost touch with military development for too long) can prove to be deadly and win wars. True problems will come about when equal forces (both technically and in command) collide.

Excellent read, highly recommended to all interested in questions about military technology and application of the same.… (mehr)

A pre-nuclear North Korean invasion of the South and American and South Korean effort to stop it. The exciting war fiction focuses on a tank unit that seeks to slow the advance...when I was in Korea in the 1960's, that was the plan: slow the North Koreans until help arrived from the US. In this case, the North Korean leader has a strategy that he feels will get him possession of the neighbor to the south before there can be a reaction. Very authentic stuff from an Army officer who commanded a major armor unit in Korea.… (mehr)