The Great Game 2.0?

Russia is at war with most states in Europe. That's Moscow's perception. Dr Ivana Stradner highlights the reasons we need to be worried about the 2026/2027 winter given all the warning signs from the Kremlin. While Western militaries are distracted by AI, C2, and drones, political leaders have been preoccupied with populism, migration, finance matters, and climate change. The signs are clear but few (outside the Baltic states, Scandinavian countries, and Poland) appear to be recognising the indicators and warnings. European leaders appear nervous not resolute; their behaviours and actions reactive and disjointed. There are some easy wins: Ivana points out eight of them which would significantly complicate the battlespace for the Kremlin. But we are left with the question over whether a distracted and divided NATO has the political capital or will to take them. Dr Ivana Stradner on Russian Reflexive control in the Command and Control podcast is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/command-and-control/id1689408449?i=1000749927699 Dr Ivana Stradner and Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomerey, "Russian Command and Control in Information Warfare and Reflexive Influence", in FDD, 15 September 2026. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/09/15/russian-command-and-control-in-information-warfare-and-reflexive-influence/