The Theory and Practice of Resistance

Modern War Institute

John Amble

Government, News

4.7 • 798 Ratings

🗓️ 25 January 2023

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, John Amble speaks to Sandor Fabian about a very specific approach to national defense: resistance. The war in Ukraine has made clear that comparatively small states can be vulnerable to the threat of aggression from larger neighbors. Resistance, Sandor argues, is the most viable means of defense for these states. But effectively embracing it as a strategic approach would require dramatic changes in force structure, training, equipment, doctrine, and more. And if small US allies choose to do so, it would have important implications for US special operations forces and for NATO.

Transcript

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0:00.0	But when it comes to resistance and professional resistance, there is a huge opportunity, once again, for a small country, I think, to punch way above their weight and kind of make sure that the aggressor takes at least twice before any kind of aggression.
0:27.6	If you choose to conduct resistance, then you have an obligation to conduct that resistance with the best possible organization, the best possible training, the best possible equipment,
0:33.6	that is purpose, build and design to these specific organizations.
0:41.2	Hey, welcome back to the Modern War Institute podcast.
0:45.4	I'm John Amble, editorial director at MWI, and in this episode, you'll hear a conversation I recently recorded with Sandor Fabian.
0:48.1	He has served as an officer in the Hungarian military's special operations forces and has
0:52.4	written extensively about the subject
0:54.2	that is the focus of our conversation, resistance.
0:57.8	Specifically, Sandor argues that resistance is the most viable means of defense for small
1:02.9	states, like for example the Baltics, facing the threat of aggression from a larger neighbor,
1:08.7	like Russia.
1:10.0	And as such, he concludes that these small states
1:12.2	should recognize that fact and adapt their military forces accordingly, something that would
1:16.7	likely involve pretty dramatic changes in forest structure, training, equipment, doctrine, and more.
1:22.8	It is a fascinating argument, and Sandor makes it in a pretty compelling fashion. It's also one that, as we
1:28.4	discuss, has pretty important implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces and for NATO.
1:33.9	Before we get to the discussion, a couple quick notes. First, if you aren't yet following
1:37.4	MWI and social media, find us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. It is a great way to stay up to
1:42.1	date on all of the new articles, podcast episodes,
1:44.6	and research we're publishing every day. And second, as always, what you hear in this episode
1:49.0	are the views of the participants and don't represent those of West Point, the Army, or any
1:53.1	other agency of the U.S. government. All right, here's my conversation with Sandor Fabian.
	...

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