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The Weaponisation of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War
An engaging guide to the various ways in which war is now waged—and how to adapt to this new reality
“This brisk everyman’s guide—straight-talking and free of jargon—is a useful tasting menu to a fast moving, constantly evolving set of problems. . . . A lively reminder that war adapts to technology, that civilians are part of modern conflict whether they like it or not.”—Roger Boyes, The Times
“Galeotti’s field guide is an admirably clear overview (in his words, ‘quick and opinionated’) of a form of conflict which is vague and hard to grasp. Variously described as hybrid, sub-threshold or grey-zone warfare, this is the no man’s land between peaceful relations and formal combat.”—Helen Warrell, Financial Times
Hybrid War, Grey Zone Warfare, Unrestricted today, traditional conflict—fought with guns, bombs, and drones—has become too expensive to wage, too unpopular at home, and too difficult to manage. In an age when America threatens Europe with sanctions, and when China spends billions buying influence abroad, the world is heading for a new era of permanent low-level conflict, often unnoticed, undeclared, and unending.
Transnational crime expert Mark Galeotti provides a comprehensive and groundbreaking survey of the new way of war. Ranging across the globe, Galeotti shows how today’s conflicts are fought with everything from disinformation and espionage to crime and subversion, leading to instability within countries and a legitimacy crisis across the globe. But rather than suggest that we hope for a return to a bygone era of “stable” warfare, Galeotti details ways of surviving, adapting, and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by this new reality.
“This brisk everyman’s guide—straight-talking and free of jargon—is a useful tasting menu to a fast moving, constantly evolving set of problems. . . . A lively reminder that war adapts to technology, that civilians are part of modern conflict whether they like it or not.”—Roger Boyes, The Times
“Galeotti’s field guide is an admirably clear overview (in his words, ‘quick and opinionated’) of a form of conflict which is vague and hard to grasp. Variously described as hybrid, sub-threshold or grey-zone warfare, this is the no man’s land between peaceful relations and formal combat.”—Helen Warrell, Financial Times
Hybrid War, Grey Zone Warfare, Unrestricted today, traditional conflict—fought with guns, bombs, and drones—has become too expensive to wage, too unpopular at home, and too difficult to manage. In an age when America threatens Europe with sanctions, and when China spends billions buying influence abroad, the world is heading for a new era of permanent low-level conflict, often unnoticed, undeclared, and unending.
Transnational crime expert Mark Galeotti provides a comprehensive and groundbreaking survey of the new way of war. Ranging across the globe, Galeotti shows how today’s conflicts are fought with everything from disinformation and espionage to crime and subversion, leading to instability within countries and a legitimacy crisis across the globe. But rather than suggest that we hope for a return to a bygone era of “stable” warfare, Galeotti details ways of surviving, adapting, and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by this new reality.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2022
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1199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 23, 2022
This book is a solid primer on the Liberal approach to international security issues in the 21st Century, tidily written and short enough to be read in a day.
Galeotti's main argument is threefold: 1) In contemporary IR, a combination of factors (he singles out growing expense and international law) have made interstate warfare all but unforeseeable; 2) At the same time, the proliferation of international networks of trade, cultural exchange, and finance in the post-Cold War World have created opportunities for states to undermine each other without needing to go to war; 3) The result of these factors is that we live in a world which, while more peaceful world than that of our ancestors, is characterised by fear and mutual suspicion between states.
Structurally, the book is arranged in such a way that a non-expert can find the most important content easily. The chapters are grouped thematically which makes it easy to maintain a clear sense of where one is at within the wider argument. I really like how each chapter closes with a list of suggested further reading.
The content itself is a mixed bag. On one hand, Galeotti brings some interesting examples to bear on his analysis: I was unaware, for example, that Uganda's primary export is no longer coffee, but mercenaries and armed guards. The chapter on transnational crime networks is where the book really shines—unsurprising given the author's previous work on the subject. The chapters on business and corruption are also very strong.
However, I'm not persuaded by the argument as a whole. Naturally, it is unfortunate that the book's publication coincides with Russia's intensification of its invasion of Ukraine in 02/2022—war may be expensive, but clearly not expensive enough to deter a state hellbent on conquest per se. There is also a somewhat off-putting inconsistency running throughout the book between presenting modern developments in IR as a radical new departure, and identifying precedents from historical case studies (which themselves work very well!)—the author would have been better placed to just ditch the argument for radical novelty entirely in my view as it doesn't add very much.
Above all, I'm really puzzled that the book doesn't mention nuclear weapons as a restraint on military action between Great Powers (alongside trade, law, etc.). Obviously there is only so much that can be covered in a primer. However, when so many invasions of non-nuclear states have happened in the 21st Century (Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Armenia, etc.) it seems like an important area to consider before asserting the end of traditional forms of conflict°. In actuality, what Galeotti covers in much of the rest of the book only applies to states who possess nuclear weapons (or have been guaranteed protection by a country with a nuclear capability); the sharp end of the wary peace he describes is felt by those states who are not.
Overall, this is a good book. While I have issues with its overall argument, it still comes in handy as a means of understanding key issues in contemporary international security.
°And if it is the 'nuclear peace' which is the primary cause for Great Powers to seek non-military ways of beating the competition, then is 21st Century IR so radically different from that of the century before?
Galeotti's main argument is threefold: 1) In contemporary IR, a combination of factors (he singles out growing expense and international law) have made interstate warfare all but unforeseeable; 2) At the same time, the proliferation of international networks of trade, cultural exchange, and finance in the post-Cold War World have created opportunities for states to undermine each other without needing to go to war; 3) The result of these factors is that we live in a world which, while more peaceful world than that of our ancestors, is characterised by fear and mutual suspicion between states.
Structurally, the book is arranged in such a way that a non-expert can find the most important content easily. The chapters are grouped thematically which makes it easy to maintain a clear sense of where one is at within the wider argument. I really like how each chapter closes with a list of suggested further reading.
The content itself is a mixed bag. On one hand, Galeotti brings some interesting examples to bear on his analysis: I was unaware, for example, that Uganda's primary export is no longer coffee, but mercenaries and armed guards. The chapter on transnational crime networks is where the book really shines—unsurprising given the author's previous work on the subject. The chapters on business and corruption are also very strong.
However, I'm not persuaded by the argument as a whole. Naturally, it is unfortunate that the book's publication coincides with Russia's intensification of its invasion of Ukraine in 02/2022—war may be expensive, but clearly not expensive enough to deter a state hellbent on conquest per se. There is also a somewhat off-putting inconsistency running throughout the book between presenting modern developments in IR as a radical new departure, and identifying precedents from historical case studies (which themselves work very well!)—the author would have been better placed to just ditch the argument for radical novelty entirely in my view as it doesn't add very much.
Above all, I'm really puzzled that the book doesn't mention nuclear weapons as a restraint on military action between Great Powers (alongside trade, law, etc.). Obviously there is only so much that can be covered in a primer. However, when so many invasions of non-nuclear states have happened in the 21st Century (Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Armenia, etc.) it seems like an important area to consider before asserting the end of traditional forms of conflict°. In actuality, what Galeotti covers in much of the rest of the book only applies to states who possess nuclear weapons (or have been guaranteed protection by a country with a nuclear capability); the sharp end of the wary peace he describes is felt by those states who are not.
Overall, this is a good book. While I have issues with its overall argument, it still comes in handy as a means of understanding key issues in contemporary international security.
°And if it is the 'nuclear peace' which is the primary cause for Great Powers to seek non-military ways of beating the competition, then is 21st Century IR so radically different from that of the century before?
February 10, 2022
Succinct & informative
A good introduction. By the 6th chapter I found myself more interested in the references to other books than the book itself. YMMV
A good introduction. By the 6th chapter I found myself more interested in the references to other books than the book itself. YMMV
January 16, 2024
This book, like majority of books from the author where he mentions Russia, is a mixed bag.
Author belongs to the ranks of existing academia and think-tanks that see everything in we (West) equals good, they (almost everybody else that does not work hand in hand with West) bad/there-be-dragons, relations.
For these people world created in 1990's, and then heavy-handedly managed and controlled from the 2001 war on terror to basically instigating wars and mayhem throughout the world, culminating with the epidemic and current war, is so called world of international rules, Nirvana of the new planet wide community. Now if you check those rules you will find that underneath all of the so called internationalism promoted by the West, what is pushed forward are national interests of states belonging to the block (which is understandable, although for some reason this is always received as a shock). This means that if one goes slightly off the course and does not have means to fight back..... oh boy. I will just say that something nefarious will definitely pop up.
Book itself is not an overview of anything new - as author mentions throughout the book chapters all these ways of warfare existed since time immemorial. Blockades, burning of food stockpiles, instigating diseases and sowing confusion, corruption and bribery. One might just say that the scope has changed, but even here I beg to differ because world-level warfare and actions have been alive at least from the Renaissance period (privateers, colonies, big mercantile empires that are analog to today's (and generally dystopian) armed private corporations, spreading from North America to Asia).
Technology has changed, but effect of the press machine was equal to the today's effect of world wide web.
So, it is nothing new. Proper title would be guide to modern conflicts.
Second thing is that this is not overview of new means to conflict in neutral stance. This is guide on how they (mostly non-Western parties) threaten us (West). Considering this, book is very biased and reads like more literate and informative (there is information here, will get to that) book on danger from the Red Menace from the mid 1900's.
Third thing is that author manages to circumvent all the [very known at the time of the book] elements that show true danger of using various cyber attacks (Stuxnet, Pegasus to mention a few), law (none of the wars instigated after 2001 were approved by UN - even if we take Afghanistan as a reflex smash made by the US after catastrophic 9/11), information level rebellions (all the so called colored revolutions that brought more misery than progress - from Lybia, Syria, Iraq to Ukraine - and for majority of countries either brought extremists that are more in-line with the West block (so they are good, I mean Philippines are ruled by Netherland model, right? Or for example ultra democratic Singapore or Indonesia?) or outright destruction (mentioned wars that are started either as a cover for scandals (Clinton in 1990's) or for reasons that proved to be false from the start (oopsie Iraq)) from the Western side).
Neither he mentions extortion that West block based financial communities enforce on these newly-enlighten countries, each of which has its own fire-sale to support new political model (preferably ending up with no industry, only services because then they are dependent on everything from the outside).
So compare the above with actions of Russia (author's boogeyman of boogeymen, although he is pretty condescending towards it to the point of ridicule (as I said book reads like Red Threat book)) and China. When they offer financial means to others it is to enslave not to help. Never. Everything they do is nefarious if you ask the author.
What basically happened is that economic destruction wrought by the triumphant West in 1990's to the rest of the world (especially eastern parts of Central and whole of Eastern Europe) brought the unexpected fruit - survivor countries. After managing to survive the onslaught these survivors took additional classes from China (into which everyone and their grandma moved their industries because of slave.... hmm cheaper (?) workforce) on how things actually work. Because you see if you are financial merciless mogul who keeps thousands of people on very low wages to work 24/7 but you have contracts with Western shoe, clothes, medicinal and other technology companies - you are not a thug, you are a businessman.
And then these countries started using these rules for their own benefits, which is something Western block think tanks (and author is definitely part of one of them) do not want because ..... how dare they! Right?
While author's comments on the corruption and never-enough-life-style being the most important element that gets abused in the West are correct, when he starts on how law and economic power of US are the things keeping everything in order, one has to ask - how that economy can prosper (in terms of international trust) when whenever international relations get cold, all the deposits of whoever is called baddie at the time, can just be seized, banks knocked out from the world exchange system and due to this economies ravished? I mean whose trust is in this system? Western countries? Of course, but trust me nobody else's. Author in a single page lists how US controls every iota of finances and banking networks - but hey, they wont abuse this, like ever, pinky promise. But if China does the same, it is to punish, destroy and subdue.
Also when it comes to control of media and news - there is not a mention of perversion which was media control during the epidemic (majority of rules emerged in China and were mimicked by the West), and all the witch-hunts against those - in the medical profession mind you - who spoke against the established "truth". I agree this is not something related to inter-state relations but it was one mighty internal policing approach (including collusion with what are supposed to be private independent media companies to openly suppress anyone asking a question) that even Chinese could not do it better (not to mention all of these progressive "technological" ideas of late - from digitization of everything for better control to restrictions of movement to mention the few).
In other words you do not need an enemy when you are under such state control.
Plus side is that author calls spade a spade when it comes to 2016 elections and in general propaganda. Also his comments how people need to come to their senses and use their head are also true and he does critique today's mass social media tools. He also shows how national interests (if you can believe he actually mentions France, Turkey, Germany and Italy here for a change - no Russia at all) can be also undermining the stability - from spying on each others to supporting opposing forces on battlefields.
Most interesting here is his presentation of theoretical scenario where joined Franco-German task forces pressure Italy to not leave EU. It bears very interesting likeness to unfortunate event in Autumn 2022 in Northern Europe. Very interesting likeness indeed.
And finally in book edition from 2023 there is addendum that author treats as an "i told you" letter to president of Russia. Which is ridiculous in several ways: (a) escalation was brought by people screaming boogeyman whatever Russia does; now world needs to handle the fruits of these loudmouths; (b) recent political revelations (from heads of state such as Holland and Merkel and B. Johnson) are disastrous and show that war was on everyone's mind but they made a mistake by pushing for it; (c) to constantly escalate and expect no reaction - this shows ignorance of all involved; (d) constant calling for weaponisation of energy by Russia always makes me laugh - because you see, when certain country freezes your assets, puts you under sanctions, arms, trains, feeds, maintains and even provides medical services to opposing army (even doing some or all of it on its own turf) I mean of course you are going to keep providing them with cheap energy. I especially liked authors "cynical" comment how US with his attempts to stop the pipelines being built between Germany and Russia int he first place was so that they can sell their LNG at higher prices (which was absolutely not the case, wink, wink hahahahaha).
I mean good part of the book did not age well nine months after the books was published in 2022.
And greatest fantasy of all is that battlefields are the things of the past - they are not. Only thing is they come into focus when forces in conflict both have all the weapons available - from infantry, tanks, rockets to satellites. And when one is pushed around enough ..... well, hopefully people are writing notes now.
Book has very good bibliography after each chapter, if for nothing else I recommend it for that feature alone.
There is a lot of information here, but note that majority is so biased and written from the standpoint of the West vs rest of the world, that if you read anything besides 2 minute news reads you will be disappointed.
If I have read this book say before 2020 I would definitely look at it differently. But today, after all that world was put through in last 4 years? It just makes parts of the book read as a pamphlet.
Interesting read, but as always uneven when it comes to describing today's world power players. In general I agree with the author - world is entering dangerous waters, lets hope that it learns to swim in it.
Author belongs to the ranks of existing academia and think-tanks that see everything in we (West) equals good, they (almost everybody else that does not work hand in hand with West) bad/there-be-dragons, relations.
For these people world created in 1990's, and then heavy-handedly managed and controlled from the 2001 war on terror to basically instigating wars and mayhem throughout the world, culminating with the epidemic and current war, is so called world of international rules, Nirvana of the new planet wide community. Now if you check those rules you will find that underneath all of the so called internationalism promoted by the West, what is pushed forward are national interests of states belonging to the block (which is understandable, although for some reason this is always received as a shock). This means that if one goes slightly off the course and does not have means to fight back..... oh boy. I will just say that something nefarious will definitely pop up.
Book itself is not an overview of anything new - as author mentions throughout the book chapters all these ways of warfare existed since time immemorial. Blockades, burning of food stockpiles, instigating diseases and sowing confusion, corruption and bribery. One might just say that the scope has changed, but even here I beg to differ because world-level warfare and actions have been alive at least from the Renaissance period (privateers, colonies, big mercantile empires that are analog to today's (and generally dystopian) armed private corporations, spreading from North America to Asia).
Technology has changed, but effect of the press machine was equal to the today's effect of world wide web.
So, it is nothing new. Proper title would be guide to modern conflicts.
Second thing is that this is not overview of new means to conflict in neutral stance. This is guide on how they (mostly non-Western parties) threaten us (West). Considering this, book is very biased and reads like more literate and informative (there is information here, will get to that) book on danger from the Red Menace from the mid 1900's.
Third thing is that author manages to circumvent all the [very known at the time of the book] elements that show true danger of using various cyber attacks (Stuxnet, Pegasus to mention a few), law (none of the wars instigated after 2001 were approved by UN - even if we take Afghanistan as a reflex smash made by the US after catastrophic 9/11), information level rebellions (all the so called colored revolutions that brought more misery than progress - from Lybia, Syria, Iraq to Ukraine - and for majority of countries either brought extremists that are more in-line with the West block (so they are good, I mean Philippines are ruled by Netherland model, right? Or for example ultra democratic Singapore or Indonesia?) or outright destruction (mentioned wars that are started either as a cover for scandals (Clinton in 1990's) or for reasons that proved to be false from the start (oopsie Iraq)) from the Western side).
Neither he mentions extortion that West block based financial communities enforce on these newly-enlighten countries, each of which has its own fire-sale to support new political model (preferably ending up with no industry, only services because then they are dependent on everything from the outside).
So compare the above with actions of Russia (author's boogeyman of boogeymen, although he is pretty condescending towards it to the point of ridicule (as I said book reads like Red Threat book)) and China. When they offer financial means to others it is to enslave not to help. Never. Everything they do is nefarious if you ask the author.
What basically happened is that economic destruction wrought by the triumphant West in 1990's to the rest of the world (especially eastern parts of Central and whole of Eastern Europe) brought the unexpected fruit - survivor countries. After managing to survive the onslaught these survivors took additional classes from China (into which everyone and their grandma moved their industries because of slave.... hmm cheaper (?) workforce) on how things actually work. Because you see if you are financial merciless mogul who keeps thousands of people on very low wages to work 24/7 but you have contracts with Western shoe, clothes, medicinal and other technology companies - you are not a thug, you are a businessman.
And then these countries started using these rules for their own benefits, which is something Western block think tanks (and author is definitely part of one of them) do not want because ..... how dare they! Right?
While author's comments on the corruption and never-enough-life-style being the most important element that gets abused in the West are correct, when he starts on how law and economic power of US are the things keeping everything in order, one has to ask - how that economy can prosper (in terms of international trust) when whenever international relations get cold, all the deposits of whoever is called baddie at the time, can just be seized, banks knocked out from the world exchange system and due to this economies ravished? I mean whose trust is in this system? Western countries? Of course, but trust me nobody else's. Author in a single page lists how US controls every iota of finances and banking networks - but hey, they wont abuse this, like ever, pinky promise. But if China does the same, it is to punish, destroy and subdue.
Also when it comes to control of media and news - there is not a mention of perversion which was media control during the epidemic (majority of rules emerged in China and were mimicked by the West), and all the witch-hunts against those - in the medical profession mind you - who spoke against the established "truth". I agree this is not something related to inter-state relations but it was one mighty internal policing approach (including collusion with what are supposed to be private independent media companies to openly suppress anyone asking a question) that even Chinese could not do it better (not to mention all of these progressive "technological" ideas of late - from digitization of everything for better control to restrictions of movement to mention the few).
In other words you do not need an enemy when you are under such state control.
Plus side is that author calls spade a spade when it comes to 2016 elections and in general propaganda. Also his comments how people need to come to their senses and use their head are also true and he does critique today's mass social media tools. He also shows how national interests (if you can believe he actually mentions France, Turkey, Germany and Italy here for a change - no Russia at all) can be also undermining the stability - from spying on each others to supporting opposing forces on battlefields.
Most interesting here is his presentation of theoretical scenario where joined Franco-German task forces pressure Italy to not leave EU. It bears very interesting likeness to unfortunate event in Autumn 2022 in Northern Europe. Very interesting likeness indeed.
And finally in book edition from 2023 there is addendum that author treats as an "i told you" letter to president of Russia. Which is ridiculous in several ways: (a) escalation was brought by people screaming boogeyman whatever Russia does; now world needs to handle the fruits of these loudmouths; (b) recent political revelations (from heads of state such as Holland and Merkel and B. Johnson) are disastrous and show that war was on everyone's mind but they made a mistake by pushing for it; (c) to constantly escalate and expect no reaction - this shows ignorance of all involved; (d) constant calling for weaponisation of energy by Russia always makes me laugh - because you see, when certain country freezes your assets, puts you under sanctions, arms, trains, feeds, maintains and even provides medical services to opposing army (even doing some or all of it on its own turf) I mean of course you are going to keep providing them with cheap energy. I especially liked authors "cynical" comment how US with his attempts to stop the pipelines being built between Germany and Russia int he first place was so that they can sell their LNG at higher prices (which was absolutely not the case, wink, wink hahahahaha).
I mean good part of the book did not age well nine months after the books was published in 2022.
And greatest fantasy of all is that battlefields are the things of the past - they are not. Only thing is they come into focus when forces in conflict both have all the weapons available - from infantry, tanks, rockets to satellites. And when one is pushed around enough ..... well, hopefully people are writing notes now.
Book has very good bibliography after each chapter, if for nothing else I recommend it for that feature alone.
There is a lot of information here, but note that majority is so biased and written from the standpoint of the West vs rest of the world, that if you read anything besides 2 minute news reads you will be disappointed.
If I have read this book say before 2020 I would definitely look at it differently. But today, after all that world was put through in last 4 years? It just makes parts of the book read as a pamphlet.
Interesting read, but as always uneven when it comes to describing today's world power players. In general I agree with the author - world is entering dangerous waters, lets hope that it learns to swim in it.
January 5, 2022
In his incredibly timely and thought-provoking book, “The Weaponisation of Everything”, author Mark Galeotti guides the reader through the new covert battlefield and offers a field-guide to the multifaceted and often insidious ways in which this new kind of war is now waged. And most importantly, how to adapt to it.
Galeotti depicts an ever-changing world where the escalating cost of traditional conflict has birthed a new kind of warfare that often goes completely unnoticed by the public. There is an all too-recognisable cast of characters who wage war with the weapons of the 21st century - big data, disinformation and subversion.
This is a heavy subject but Mark Galeotti writes in a very engaging way. Wide-ranging, detailed and unflinching, this book’s subject matter is naturally quite frightening, and could have been simply a harrowing warning of a dystopian future. Yet Galeotti leads us through ways of not only dealing with this new reality, but also of profiting from it. “The Weaponisation of Everything” is a prescient and scholarly work that is required reading for anyone interested in the geopolitics of the future.
Galeotti depicts an ever-changing world where the escalating cost of traditional conflict has birthed a new kind of warfare that often goes completely unnoticed by the public. There is an all too-recognisable cast of characters who wage war with the weapons of the 21st century - big data, disinformation and subversion.
This is a heavy subject but Mark Galeotti writes in a very engaging way. Wide-ranging, detailed and unflinching, this book’s subject matter is naturally quite frightening, and could have been simply a harrowing warning of a dystopian future. Yet Galeotti leads us through ways of not only dealing with this new reality, but also of profiting from it. “The Weaponisation of Everything” is a prescient and scholarly work that is required reading for anyone interested in the geopolitics of the future.
January 2, 2024
Que mi primer libro del año sea por geopolítica… duro golpe
July 9, 2022
A solid and interesting read, with examples that absolutely fit in with the arguments being made.
The most interesting idea, for me personally, would be drawing parallels between Florence’s and modern day’s espionage and war.
Although, using certain countries to present supportive examples and completely ignoring certain others who do the same in their own ways of “weaponising everything” shows the favoured and biased or one can say “pro-western” approach to the topic.
The most interesting idea, for me personally, would be drawing parallels between Florence’s and modern day’s espionage and war.
Although, using certain countries to present supportive examples and completely ignoring certain others who do the same in their own ways of “weaponising everything” shows the favoured and biased or one can say “pro-western” approach to the topic.
February 15, 2022
3.5 stars
If you're up for an enjoyable, fast-paced read that offers a glimpse into the world of modern warfare, then this is the book for you. Galeotti illustrates the beginning of every chapter with an example drawn from history, movie, current politics, ... The sections are short, yet dense, and provide many catchy examples without going into too much detail. However, I wish that the different topics had not felt so hurried, and that they had been more analytical rather than descriptive.
If you're up for an enjoyable, fast-paced read that offers a glimpse into the world of modern warfare, then this is the book for you. Galeotti illustrates the beginning of every chapter with an example drawn from history, movie, current politics, ... The sections are short, yet dense, and provide many catchy examples without going into too much detail. However, I wish that the different topics had not felt so hurried, and that they had been more analytical rather than descriptive.
October 1, 2022
I have the impression that Mark Galeotti either wanted to publish another book to vent his thoughts, or he needed to somehow cover his bills. The information in the book was good, but not well-founded, at times I felt like I was reading an essay or a media article. Highly chaotic, jumping from statement to statement, and missing sources. I do not want to doubt Galeotti's broad knowledge, but a better structure would enhance the reading experience by a million.
October 19, 2022
Laikai keičiasi, drauge su jais keičiasi viskas, įskaitant ir kariavimo metodus. Hibridinis karas, pilkosios zonos, informacinės erdvės, užtikrinančios karą be ribų, net neperžengiant teritorinių sienų. Pernelyg brangias bombas, šautuvus ir dronus keičia socialiniai tinklai, kibernetika, propaganda, įvairios melagienos. Regis, šiais laikais kompiuterio pelė yra galingesnė už gerai pagaląstą kardą. O pats pasaulis yra įžengęs į naują, nematomų, nedidelių ir nesibaigiančių konfliktų epochą.
Nereikia būti istorijos žinovu ar akylu žmogumi, kruopščiai analizuojančiu svarbius įvykius - karus, vykusius prieš šimtą, du ar net penkis šimtus metų, kad pastebėtumėte esminius skirtumus tarp konfliktų anuomet ir dabar. Pagrindiniai ginklai tada buvo rankomis apčiuopiami, pradedant kardais ir šautuvais, baigiant automatais ir bombomis. XXI amžiuje, kai kasdienybė neįsivaizduojama be technikos išradimų, palengvinančių tiek susisiekimą, tiek buitį, tiek išplečiančių bendravimo galimybes ir užtikrinančių greitesnį informacijos pasiekiamumą, dauguma ginklų tapo matomi tik akimis, o su jais kariaujama be rankų - vos vieno mygtuko paspaudimu. Žvelgdami į dabartinį pasaulinį kontekstą ir visa, kas jame vyksta, tai matome priešakyje, o sąvokos „hibridinis karas“, „pilkoji zona“, „melagienos“, „propaganda“, „kibernetinė ataka“ - mums puikiai žinomos ir pastaruoju laikotarpiu lydi bene kiekvieną dieną.
Kada pasaulyje prasidėjo ištiso kibernetinio karo epocha? Kiek laiko ji jau tęsiasi ir kas visų mūsų laukia ateityje? Klausimai, į kuriuos nėra ir nebus konkretaus ar teisingo atsakymo. Vieni teigs, kad nieko panašaus apskritai nevyksta, kiti sakys, kad skirtingos melagienos, bent jau Lietuvoje, itin intensyviai ėmė plisti COVID-19 pandemijos metais, o propagandos apimtys reikšmingai padidėjo nuo šių metų vasario 24-osios. Deja, tai nėra tikroji tiesa. „Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ atskleidžia, kad skirtingomis formomis, kurias ne visada pajaučiame, karas vyksta kasdien jau daugelį metų. Kasdien, tik kai kurių dalykų paprasti žmonės nežino, kadangi tai yra nutylima, o į viešumą transliuojamos tik tos žinios, kurias būtina žinoti, arba tos, kurių plitimas (kartais ir neteisėtas, melagingas) kažkam naudingas.
M. Gaelotti knygoje dėmesį telkia į karus, kurie vyko per pastaruosius keliasdešimt metų, tai daro analizuodamas, išskirdamas įvairias jų detales. Kaip žinia, itin svarbų vaidmenį juose vaidino JAV, Didžioji Britanija ir Rusija. Aišku, neapsieita ir be 2014 metais įvykusios Krymo okupacijos. Kūrinys skaitytojus grąžina ir į tolimą praeitį, taip lygindamas ją su dabartimi, o vietomis net nukelia į ateitį, kuri, bent jau kol kas, tik autoriaus vaizduotės vaisius, tačiau, pagal paskutines tendencijas, nebūtų pernelyg netikėta, jei tai vieną dieną taptų realybe. Dėmesys skiriamas ir žmonių vaidmeniui įvairaus pobūdžio karuose, ir sankcijoms (jų naudai/poveikiui/žalai/svarbai), ir politikos etiudams, ir erdvėms, patogiausioms vykdyti kibernetinį karą, ir priežastims, kodėl vis dažniau renkamasi tokį būdą, kokia jo nauda, ir šnipinėjimui, ir santykiams tarp valstybių, kurios iš pažiūros turėtų būti sąjungininkės (tačiau, ar tikrai taip yra?). Kitaip tariant, tam, kas nūdienoje svarbu ir aktualu.
Mark Gaelotti yra įdomus rašytojas. Konkretus, tikslus ir rašantis retesnėmis, bet temomis, kurios visuomenei aktualios. Dar tik dvi jo knygas skaičiau (pirmoji buvo „Trumpa Rusijos istorija. Nuo pagonybės iki Putino“, antroji - ši, o rašytojas parašęs žymiai daugiau), bet jau jaučiu, kad kiekviena man yra ir bus savotiškas atradimas: tiek turinio, tiek rašymo, tiek temų, kurios domina, prasme. Turinys, nors knyga ir nėra didelės apimties, perteikia tai, kas svarbiausia, ir idealiai tinka skaitytojams, kurie nemėgsta perteklinių detalių ir mėgaujasi konkretumu, faktais. Kas liečia rašymą, džiugina tai, kad M. Gaelotti geba rašyti ir, rodos, iš pažiūros sudėtingą informaciją pateikti, susisteminti taip, kad ją suprasti lengvai galėtų kiekvienas skaitytojas, net tas, kuriam politika ar tokio stiliaus knygos ne prie širdies. Na, o plėtojamos temos yra tos, kurių prieš keletą ar kelioliką metų nebūtume sureikšminę, veikiau - numoję ranka. Dabar, matydami drastiškus pokyčius pasaulyje, jų nebegalime ignoruoti.
„Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ - sutrumpinta, tik esmines XXI amžiaus konfliktų, karų bei tarptautinių santykių ir politikos aktualijas aptarianti knyga. Tai - knyga apie ne visada matomą karą, vykstantį kasdien, apie tą, kurio dalyviais be išimties esame mes visi, kuriame dalyvaujame virtualiai, pavyzdžiui, skaitydami, dalindamiesi tam tikra informacija. Kūrinys padės geriau suprasti, koks slidus reikalas yra propaganda, kaip lengvai ji plinta ir kokią ji įtaką daro karo, vykstančio realiame fronte, eigai. Kaip teigia autorius, būtent šis kariavimo metodas yra toks pats svarbus, kaip ir tas, kuris vyksta ant žemės.
Rekomenduoju visiems, besidomintiems ir ieškantiems daugiau informacijos apie „kitokį“ karą, tokį, kurio mūsų protėviai negalėjo nė įsivaizduoti. Karą, kuris dar kartą paliudija, kad gyvename naujoje epochoje, su šviežiomis taisyklėmis ir netikėtais spąstais. Siūlau tiems, kurie domisi politika ar istorija, nes būtent iš temų, susijusių tiek su vienu, tiek su kitu dalyku ir sudaryta ši knyga. Rekomenduoju negrožinės literatūros, kupinos realiais faktais, naudinga informacija, mylėtojams, kuriems šiomis dienomis nėra nieko įdomiau už domėjimąsi tarptautinėmis aktualijomis, kuriems norisi praplėsti savo akiratį ir atrasti atsakymų į kai kuriuos klausimus. „Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ patiks visiems, kuriems rimtoji literatūra yra lyg skaniausias desertas prie karštos kavos!
4/5⭐
Nereikia būti istorijos žinovu ar akylu žmogumi, kruopščiai analizuojančiu svarbius įvykius - karus, vykusius prieš šimtą, du ar net penkis šimtus metų, kad pastebėtumėte esminius skirtumus tarp konfliktų anuomet ir dabar. Pagrindiniai ginklai tada buvo rankomis apčiuopiami, pradedant kardais ir šautuvais, baigiant automatais ir bombomis. XXI amžiuje, kai kasdienybė neįsivaizduojama be technikos išradimų, palengvinančių tiek susisiekimą, tiek buitį, tiek išplečiančių bendravimo galimybes ir užtikrinančių greitesnį informacijos pasiekiamumą, dauguma ginklų tapo matomi tik akimis, o su jais kariaujama be rankų - vos vieno mygtuko paspaudimu. Žvelgdami į dabartinį pasaulinį kontekstą ir visa, kas jame vyksta, tai matome priešakyje, o sąvokos „hibridinis karas“, „pilkoji zona“, „melagienos“, „propaganda“, „kibernetinė ataka“ - mums puikiai žinomos ir pastaruoju laikotarpiu lydi bene kiekvieną dieną.
Kada pasaulyje prasidėjo ištiso kibernetinio karo epocha? Kiek laiko ji jau tęsiasi ir kas visų mūsų laukia ateityje? Klausimai, į kuriuos nėra ir nebus konkretaus ar teisingo atsakymo. Vieni teigs, kad nieko panašaus apskritai nevyksta, kiti sakys, kad skirtingos melagienos, bent jau Lietuvoje, itin intensyviai ėmė plisti COVID-19 pandemijos metais, o propagandos apimtys reikšmingai padidėjo nuo šių metų vasario 24-osios. Deja, tai nėra tikroji tiesa. „Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ atskleidžia, kad skirtingomis formomis, kurias ne visada pajaučiame, karas vyksta kasdien jau daugelį metų. Kasdien, tik kai kurių dalykų paprasti žmonės nežino, kadangi tai yra nutylima, o į viešumą transliuojamos tik tos žinios, kurias būtina žinoti, arba tos, kurių plitimas (kartais ir neteisėtas, melagingas) kažkam naudingas.
M. Gaelotti knygoje dėmesį telkia į karus, kurie vyko per pastaruosius keliasdešimt metų, tai daro analizuodamas, išskirdamas įvairias jų detales. Kaip žinia, itin svarbų vaidmenį juose vaidino JAV, Didžioji Britanija ir Rusija. Aišku, neapsieita ir be 2014 metais įvykusios Krymo okupacijos. Kūrinys skaitytojus grąžina ir į tolimą praeitį, taip lygindamas ją su dabartimi, o vietomis net nukelia į ateitį, kuri, bent jau kol kas, tik autoriaus vaizduotės vaisius, tačiau, pagal paskutines tendencijas, nebūtų pernelyg netikėta, jei tai vieną dieną taptų realybe. Dėmesys skiriamas ir žmonių vaidmeniui įvairaus pobūdžio karuose, ir sankcijoms (jų naudai/poveikiui/žalai/svarbai), ir politikos etiudams, ir erdvėms, patogiausioms vykdyti kibernetinį karą, ir priežastims, kodėl vis dažniau renkamasi tokį būdą, kokia jo nauda, ir šnipinėjimui, ir santykiams tarp valstybių, kurios iš pažiūros turėtų būti sąjungininkės (tačiau, ar tikrai taip yra?). Kitaip tariant, tam, kas nūdienoje svarbu ir aktualu.
Mark Gaelotti yra įdomus rašytojas. Konkretus, tikslus ir rašantis retesnėmis, bet temomis, kurios visuomenei aktualios. Dar tik dvi jo knygas skaičiau (pirmoji buvo „Trumpa Rusijos istorija. Nuo pagonybės iki Putino“, antroji - ši, o rašytojas parašęs žymiai daugiau), bet jau jaučiu, kad kiekviena man yra ir bus savotiškas atradimas: tiek turinio, tiek rašymo, tiek temų, kurios domina, prasme. Turinys, nors knyga ir nėra didelės apimties, perteikia tai, kas svarbiausia, ir idealiai tinka skaitytojams, kurie nemėgsta perteklinių detalių ir mėgaujasi konkretumu, faktais. Kas liečia rašymą, džiugina tai, kad M. Gaelotti geba rašyti ir, rodos, iš pažiūros sudėtingą informaciją pateikti, susisteminti taip, kad ją suprasti lengvai galėtų kiekvienas skaitytojas, net tas, kuriam politika ar tokio stiliaus knygos ne prie širdies. Na, o plėtojamos temos yra tos, kurių prieš keletą ar kelioliką metų nebūtume sureikšminę, veikiau - numoję ranka. Dabar, matydami drastiškus pokyčius pasaulyje, jų nebegalime ignoruoti.
„Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ - sutrumpinta, tik esmines XXI amžiaus konfliktų, karų bei tarptautinių santykių ir politikos aktualijas aptarianti knyga. Tai - knyga apie ne visada matomą karą, vykstantį kasdien, apie tą, kurio dalyviais be išimties esame mes visi, kuriame dalyvaujame virtualiai, pavyzdžiui, skaitydami, dalindamiesi tam tikra informacija. Kūrinys padės geriau suprasti, koks slidus reikalas yra propaganda, kaip lengvai ji plinta ir kokią ji įtaką daro karo, vykstančio realiame fronte, eigai. Kaip teigia autorius, būtent šis kariavimo metodas yra toks pats svarbus, kaip ir tas, kuris vyksta ant žemės.
Rekomenduoju visiems, besidomintiems ir ieškantiems daugiau informacijos apie „kitokį“ karą, tokį, kurio mūsų protėviai negalėjo nė įsivaizduoti. Karą, kuris dar kartą paliudija, kad gyvename naujoje epochoje, su šviežiomis taisyklėmis ir netikėtais spąstais. Siūlau tiems, kurie domisi politika ar istorija, nes būtent iš temų, susijusių tiek su vienu, tiek su kitu dalyku ir sudaryta ši knyga. Rekomenduoju negrožinės literatūros, kupinos realiais faktais, naudinga informacija, mylėtojams, kuriems šiomis dienomis nėra nieko įdomiau už domėjimąsi tarptautinėmis aktualijomis, kuriems norisi praplėsti savo akiratį ir atrasti atsakymų į kai kuriuos klausimus. „Viskas tampa ginklu. Karas XXI amžiuje“ patiks visiems, kuriems rimtoji literatūra yra lyg skaniausias desertas prie karštos kavos!
4/5⭐
January 30, 2022
Living up to it's self-proclaimed status as a 'field guide' very well, this is a nicely tractable and on-the-pulse review of the evolving status of modern conflict.
The reader with extremely limited exposure to the world of [combined|unrestricted|surrogate|...]-warfare will still be able to get full enjoyment from this book due to its very neat organization.
The prominence of the Further Reading segments at the end of each chapter ("Want to know more?"), and the way that the author goes further than merely listing interesting titles (recommending, ranking, and otherwise commenting on each entry) are a welcome feature.
Perhaps a more fitting title would have been "... A Field Guide to the Evolving Way of War", as the author makes the point that this "Weaponisation of Everything" is hardly a phenomena unique to the present day. Rather, it is simply manifesting itself in significantly more ways and is a more dominant feature of modern conflict. The book is self-aware in this sense and in others however, suggesting that the title is poking fun at itself somewhat.
The author's credentials as an expert on Russian Security Affairs are neatly showcased, but not so far as to give the impression that more salient examples were neglected in favor of their comfort zone.
The full five stars were withheld only because it felt as though the author had more to say on the future approaches they believe are the key to embracing this evolution of conflict. A neat summary was provided, but more concrete details would have been welcome, although come with the obvious risk of ageing poorly.
The reader with extremely limited exposure to the world of [combined|unrestricted|surrogate|...]-warfare will still be able to get full enjoyment from this book due to its very neat organization.
The prominence of the Further Reading segments at the end of each chapter ("Want to know more?"), and the way that the author goes further than merely listing interesting titles (recommending, ranking, and otherwise commenting on each entry) are a welcome feature.
Perhaps a more fitting title would have been "... A Field Guide to the Evolving Way of War", as the author makes the point that this "Weaponisation of Everything" is hardly a phenomena unique to the present day. Rather, it is simply manifesting itself in significantly more ways and is a more dominant feature of modern conflict. The book is self-aware in this sense and in others however, suggesting that the title is poking fun at itself somewhat.
The author's credentials as an expert on Russian Security Affairs are neatly showcased, but not so far as to give the impression that more salient examples were neglected in favor of their comfort zone.
The full five stars were withheld only because it felt as though the author had more to say on the future approaches they believe are the key to embracing this evolution of conflict. A neat summary was provided, but more concrete details would have been welcome, although come with the obvious risk of ageing poorly.
February 27, 2022
2500 years ago, Sun Tzu in the Art of War states ‘all warfare is based on deception’.
As events unfold following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘The Weaponization of Everything’ is indeed a timely book. The first chapter opens with a paragraph describing Putin’s intents on returning Crimea to Russia and later describes how in the midst of a disinformation campaign, the citizen investigative journalism outfit, Bellingcat managed to piece together evidence about the tragic flight MH17.
‘The Weaponisation of Everything’ book is a field guide about war – a useful companion to understand global events - and how statecraft and warfare have changed over the centuries. Through reading the book the reader gains a historical perspective as well as deep insight into the modern world. We learn that warfare has become so sophisticated -it’s all around us and we don’t even know it.
Combining storytelling with hard facts, Galeotti provides numerous examples of economic warfare, culture wars and disinformation (information wars). We are told deception is not a recent phenomenon and he is right.
This is a well-researched book written in a way that anyone with an interest in history, current affairs and geopolitics can read and understand. I particularly valued the additional reading, references to other published works on the subject matter. Excellent
As events unfold following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘The Weaponization of Everything’ is indeed a timely book. The first chapter opens with a paragraph describing Putin’s intents on returning Crimea to Russia and later describes how in the midst of a disinformation campaign, the citizen investigative journalism outfit, Bellingcat managed to piece together evidence about the tragic flight MH17.
‘The Weaponisation of Everything’ book is a field guide about war – a useful companion to understand global events - and how statecraft and warfare have changed over the centuries. Through reading the book the reader gains a historical perspective as well as deep insight into the modern world. We learn that warfare has become so sophisticated -it’s all around us and we don’t even know it.
Combining storytelling with hard facts, Galeotti provides numerous examples of economic warfare, culture wars and disinformation (information wars). We are told deception is not a recent phenomenon and he is right.
This is a well-researched book written in a way that anyone with an interest in history, current affairs and geopolitics can read and understand. I particularly valued the additional reading, references to other published works on the subject matter. Excellent
May 29, 2022
Instead of just whinging that the world has gone to hell in a hand basket, the modern sophisticated reader of modern geopolitics should instead look to texts that help them understand the historical precedents of warfare, the changing strategies of conflict, and the social, political and economic impacts that current trends may unveil in the future. This book is an excellent primer to examining how "warfare" is presently being redefined. Some topics include: the professional soldier (i.e., mercenary), the role of organised crime as a "weapon", "lawfare", and the murky realms of dis)information/misinformation within the interconnected world. Overall, the book highlights several important points to consider in examining one's view of modern warfare.
4 stars. An important strength of this book is the incorporation of further readings at the end of each chapter. Galeotti knowingly writes this work as an accessible introduction to several topics within the changing modern warfare, and allows his reader the option of wading into deeper waters.
4 stars. An important strength of this book is the incorporation of further readings at the end of each chapter. Galeotti knowingly writes this work as an accessible introduction to several topics within the changing modern warfare, and allows his reader the option of wading into deeper waters.
February 17, 2024
Galeotti, an expert on Russia, has become one of my favorite writers on history and geopolitics. His books are short, clearly written, and quickly bring the reader up to speed on otherwise complex topics…and in this work he ends each chapter with recommendations for further reading along with brief reviews of the books.
Are his works primers? Yes…but very good ones that respect the Intelligence of the reader.
Are his works primers? Yes…but very good ones that respect the Intelligence of the reader.
June 6, 2022
A clausewitzian walk-through of means of fighting a 21th Century conflict, with the notable exception of traditional inter-state conventional (or nuclear) war. If you follow news coverage of international conflicts closely, "The Weaponisation of Everything" won't offer you many surprises. Its broad scope makes it somewhat encyclopedic.
Read
March 12, 2024It's very clear by how many things he got wrong about india and the kind of terms it has used for India that this writer didn't even consider any Indian as a probable reader. According to him, India didn't hit anything in the Balakot strike. And The Pakistan Air force also attacked us when we did balakot. Even Pakistan doesn't say this. he went one step ahead in lying than even Pakistan.
"The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan has led to three wars and countless skirmishes and hubristic military displays since their formation in 1947 – with one more war, in 1971, fought over Bangladesh as a change of scene"
According to him the 1971 war was a change of scene. Millions of East Pakistani women being raped by west Pakistan army wasn't really any issue at all. Millions of refugees getting in India weren't an issue either. All these wars are not defensive retaliation in India's part and aggression on the part of Pakistan but all this is just hubristic military display.
And he has written a chapter about information warfare. Hilarious to see he writes about information warfare while he himself is a victim of one.
There are a lot more bs in this book. There are hardly any examples where the west has done some weaponisation of something and used it against someone. All examples are about China and Russia. One example is about the wolf warrior movie and he goes on to say how china is using that as power projection, meanwhile totally being oblivious about the fact that there is a captain America who talks all day about what's right and wrong and what's his duty when the real America is busy orchestrating coup everywhere.
It's a very weird experience to read these books and get to see their world view. It's like they are not writing anything no facts no logic no argument, they just play to the audience. After all the examples now I am even more impressed by China. How clear they are in their world view. They know what they want and who is the enemy and they are ruthless in their pursuit. Who won't want leaders like that.
"The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan has led to three wars and countless skirmishes and hubristic military displays since their formation in 1947 – with one more war, in 1971, fought over Bangladesh as a change of scene"
According to him the 1971 war was a change of scene. Millions of East Pakistani women being raped by west Pakistan army wasn't really any issue at all. Millions of refugees getting in India weren't an issue either. All these wars are not defensive retaliation in India's part and aggression on the part of Pakistan but all this is just hubristic military display.
And he has written a chapter about information warfare. Hilarious to see he writes about information warfare while he himself is a victim of one.
There are a lot more bs in this book. There are hardly any examples where the west has done some weaponisation of something and used it against someone. All examples are about China and Russia. One example is about the wolf warrior movie and he goes on to say how china is using that as power projection, meanwhile totally being oblivious about the fact that there is a captain America who talks all day about what's right and wrong and what's his duty when the real America is busy orchestrating coup everywhere.
It's a very weird experience to read these books and get to see their world view. It's like they are not writing anything no facts no logic no argument, they just play to the audience. After all the examples now I am even more impressed by China. How clear they are in their world view. They know what they want and who is the enemy and they are ruthless in their pursuit. Who won't want leaders like that.
March 8, 2022
The Weaponization of Everything, A Field Guide to a New Way of War by Mark Galeotti
Mr. Galeotti’s book is both timely and perhaps not as it has come out while the war in Ukraine is going on. I say timely, as this war does highlight the use of non-kinetic warfare to aid in the success. A primary example of this “Weaponization of Everything” is the use of sanctions and banking restrictions on Russia. As Mr. Galeotti says, “One could argue it is irrelevant whether one dies on the battlefield or in a refugee camp, whether one loses one’s job to economic warfare or a bombing raid.” Indeed, we do hope these efforts to restrict the flow of money for resources forces an end of Russian aggression.
Additionally, it does seem the NATO Allies and President Zelensky are winning the information battle vs. Mr. Putin. This is unlike the war in 2018 where Mr. Putin was able to shape the war as one to save Russians in the Dombast region from persecution. In this case, Putin’s claim that Ukraine is not a country is not being accepted by all but at this time the isolated Russian population.
An interesting topic raised by Mr. Galeotti is the increasing use of mercenary troops to do the fighting by merely paying money. Unlike the past, these mercenaries are part of corporations or countries. Examples of countries are: Uganda that makes more money from renting out their soldiers than their revenue from coffee. The US is not saint in this endeavor. The war with Iraq we along with the UK and France were paid 84B$ by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Is the US Blackwater Group any different than the Wagner Group run out of Russia.
No matter how you look at this, people lose their lives, families are destroyed and future dreams of people are gone.
I am not sure I have a solution but I did find this book an excellent read to get me to think.
Mr. Galeotti’s book is both timely and perhaps not as it has come out while the war in Ukraine is going on. I say timely, as this war does highlight the use of non-kinetic warfare to aid in the success. A primary example of this “Weaponization of Everything” is the use of sanctions and banking restrictions on Russia. As Mr. Galeotti says, “One could argue it is irrelevant whether one dies on the battlefield or in a refugee camp, whether one loses one’s job to economic warfare or a bombing raid.” Indeed, we do hope these efforts to restrict the flow of money for resources forces an end of Russian aggression.
Additionally, it does seem the NATO Allies and President Zelensky are winning the information battle vs. Mr. Putin. This is unlike the war in 2018 where Mr. Putin was able to shape the war as one to save Russians in the Dombast region from persecution. In this case, Putin’s claim that Ukraine is not a country is not being accepted by all but at this time the isolated Russian population.
An interesting topic raised by Mr. Galeotti is the increasing use of mercenary troops to do the fighting by merely paying money. Unlike the past, these mercenaries are part of corporations or countries. Examples of countries are: Uganda that makes more money from renting out their soldiers than their revenue from coffee. The US is not saint in this endeavor. The war with Iraq we along with the UK and France were paid 84B$ by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Is the US Blackwater Group any different than the Wagner Group run out of Russia.
No matter how you look at this, people lose their lives, families are destroyed and future dreams of people are gone.
I am not sure I have a solution but I did find this book an excellent read to get me to think.
July 13, 2024
DNF sorry but I couldn't get past around page 60 (?)
I'm not an expert in this topic, so when I saw the book's relatively thin size and it being a self proclaimed 'field guide,' I thought it'll be a good intro to modern warfare and geopolitics. So yea don't judge a book by its cover.
For such a short book, it was impressively draggy. From what I read, it felt like the author just rambled stream of consciousness style, had someone type what he said, and published it without any editing. The chapters and subchapters were useless. What's the point of having a chapter header when the stuff under it isn't relevant? A good editor could have made this at least a 3 star read i think. Also there was very few citations? Which really made it feel even more like just a transcription of an impromptu dialogue. I'm not an academic, but most non fiction books I read usually come with a thick bibliography at the back; this one only had an index.
Another odd thing about this book is how its simultaneously too simple and too complex. There's definitely useful info in the book that is worthy of being in a field guide, but most concepts is nothing new/things I'm already aware of (and that says a lot considering that I'm not an expert on the subject). But the examples used to explain the concepts are a lot; like each idea will come with 3 different historical examples anytime from 1300-2000 which makes it a drag to read. I get that understanding the history is important, but for a book that says its about NEW way of war there was surprisingly little examples about events in 2020 and beyond (this book was published in 2022). Maybe there's more modern examples in subsequent chapters, but I couldn't push myself to read that far.
But I do like the list of suggested readings at the end of each chapter. Turned this from a 1 star to 2 star read, thanks for the book recs
I'm not an expert in this topic, so when I saw the book's relatively thin size and it being a self proclaimed 'field guide,' I thought it'll be a good intro to modern warfare and geopolitics. So yea don't judge a book by its cover.
For such a short book, it was impressively draggy. From what I read, it felt like the author just rambled stream of consciousness style, had someone type what he said, and published it without any editing. The chapters and subchapters were useless. What's the point of having a chapter header when the stuff under it isn't relevant? A good editor could have made this at least a 3 star read i think. Also there was very few citations? Which really made it feel even more like just a transcription of an impromptu dialogue. I'm not an academic, but most non fiction books I read usually come with a thick bibliography at the back; this one only had an index.
Another odd thing about this book is how its simultaneously too simple and too complex. There's definitely useful info in the book that is worthy of being in a field guide, but most concepts is nothing new/things I'm already aware of (and that says a lot considering that I'm not an expert on the subject). But the examples used to explain the concepts are a lot; like each idea will come with 3 different historical examples anytime from 1300-2000 which makes it a drag to read. I get that understanding the history is important, but for a book that says its about NEW way of war there was surprisingly little examples about events in 2020 and beyond (this book was published in 2022). Maybe there's more modern examples in subsequent chapters, but I couldn't push myself to read that far.
But I do like the list of suggested readings at the end of each chapter. Turned this from a 1 star to 2 star read, thanks for the book recs
June 13, 2023
Geleotti's writing and analysis is excellent as he reviews the various ways other than physical combat that countries wage war and attempt to influence each other. Despite the title offering a "Guide to the New Way of War," Galeotti shows how these methods have been waged since the beginning of warfare, often to degrees of success. The "new" way of war simply updates these methods to incorporate the current environment where information can be transmitted much quicker than before.
Galeotti's lesson is perhaps that states should seek to use all the means of war to achieve the objectives, an idea encapsulated in the "DIME" (diplomacy, information, military, economic) model taught to U.S. Government officials, and that countries should be prepared to confront these means when adversaries employ them. Simply relying on the threat of employing a superior military force means little if an adversary does not intend to confront you in combat.
One aspect of warfare that Galeotti could have covered in more detail are the "own goals" countries often commit when fall victim to the propaganda of adversaries or fail to confront the means of war when employed by others. Watching adversaries debate over whether they are confronting a conflict as some adopt your views is can buy a country time to advance their goals.
Galeotti's lesson is perhaps that states should seek to use all the means of war to achieve the objectives, an idea encapsulated in the "DIME" (diplomacy, information, military, economic) model taught to U.S. Government officials, and that countries should be prepared to confront these means when adversaries employ them. Simply relying on the threat of employing a superior military force means little if an adversary does not intend to confront you in combat.
One aspect of warfare that Galeotti could have covered in more detail are the "own goals" countries often commit when fall victim to the propaganda of adversaries or fail to confront the means of war when employed by others. Watching adversaries debate over whether they are confronting a conflict as some adopt your views is can buy a country time to advance their goals.
February 16, 2023
There's absolutely nothing wrong with this book, but I didn't find a lot new in it. Each chapter is an interesting primer, but lacking in much depth. If you've not read much 21st century geo-politics before, this would be a five-star place to start. Each chapter has a reading list at the end of it, and I as surprised to find I'd already been through quite a few of those recommendations.
It was interesting to see all these threads brought together under one cover. It made a great way to unify a lot of apparently unconnected ideas. I'd challenge some of the writer's conclusions, but only because I'd read more opinionated and one-sided accounts from authors with a clear concept of right and wrong. Galeotti is almost pathologically reasonable and impartial, especially when discussing the likes of information warfare and the strategic implications of belt and road. I wonder what it would take to get him to come off the fence?
It's an entertaining book. Just to repeat - if you haven't yet tried weightier works by the likes of Oliver Bullough, Peter Zeihan or Clive Hamilton, start with this title.
It was interesting to see all these threads brought together under one cover. It made a great way to unify a lot of apparently unconnected ideas. I'd challenge some of the writer's conclusions, but only because I'd read more opinionated and one-sided accounts from authors with a clear concept of right and wrong. Galeotti is almost pathologically reasonable and impartial, especially when discussing the likes of information warfare and the strategic implications of belt and road. I wonder what it would take to get him to come off the fence?
It's an entertaining book. Just to repeat - if you haven't yet tried weightier works by the likes of Oliver Bullough, Peter Zeihan or Clive Hamilton, start with this title.
March 30, 2022
This review is of an ARC provided by Netgalley and Yale University Press in exchange for an honest review.
My rating for this book is 4/5.
I am personally interested in reading more about the overall political conflagration that would lead to the onset of war, and also with regards to how dynamic and fluid nature modern types of warfare. In particular the analysis of economic and political methods through which to wage war as well as the analysis of more 'traditional' type of warfare of territorial conquest is a thoroughly interesting and engaging read in light of recent events particularly in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The Weaponisation of Everything” by is at times incredibly prescient and also a thoroughly fascinating work of in-depth analysis presented terms non-academics and those less engaged in the subject of geopolitics could understand. It is overall fascinating in how it develops and builds the case for Galeotti's insights on the topic.
I wish to see more books like this, and I would overall heartily recommend this book.
My rating for this book is 4/5.
I am personally interested in reading more about the overall political conflagration that would lead to the onset of war, and also with regards to how dynamic and fluid nature modern types of warfare. In particular the analysis of economic and political methods through which to wage war as well as the analysis of more 'traditional' type of warfare of territorial conquest is a thoroughly interesting and engaging read in light of recent events particularly in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The Weaponisation of Everything” by is at times incredibly prescient and also a thoroughly fascinating work of in-depth analysis presented terms non-academics and those less engaged in the subject of geopolitics could understand. It is overall fascinating in how it develops and builds the case for Galeotti's insights on the topic.
I wish to see more books like this, and I would overall heartily recommend this book.
November 16, 2022
An insightful and well-documented study on the current state of warfare in the world. Galeotti has a snappy style of writing. He brings together a lot of facts and quotes to establish his theme that nations use various forms of weaponization. The traditional guns, bombs and ships are no longer so prevalent. Note: this book was written prior to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. But he's right, agents of influence, disinformation and misinformation are some of the keys of war these days. Social media, hacking and surveillance are often employed. Cloak and dagger snooping, so prevalent in the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union, has fallen by the wayside. According to Galeotti, the Russians tend to sow discord in the West by fake news designed to weaken democracies. They championed Donald Trump over Hilary Clinton, but in reality didn't care for President Trump once elected. At various times, they back the right and the left. Recommended for readers of history, current events and fans of the art of war.
February 23, 2022
As tensions rise on the Ukraine/ Russian border I have been reading Mark Galeotti’s guide to the new way of war.
Chilling account of how war has been redefined into a hybrid model. Hybrid wars are no longer purely won on the battlefield as conflicts move to means of subversion, sanctions, memes, lawfare, disinformation, and sponsored murder of individual civilians. Where everything can be weaponised, business is now in the front line of economic guerrilla warfare battling cyberattacks, political lobbying, social media manipulation and sanctions impacting our business models.
Time to understand and learn about this permanent state of global hybrid warfare.
“We are heading into an age when everyone may be in at least some kind of a state of ‘war' with everyone else, all the time, and it is just a matter of degree. Of course, we will still have allies and enemies, but these terms will mean different things at different times, in different contexts. Our very vocabulary is outdated: war, enemy, victory, all these concepts need to be re-thought. Welcome to a potential world of permanent, sublimated conflict, of the political struggle of all against all.”
Chilling account of how war has been redefined into a hybrid model. Hybrid wars are no longer purely won on the battlefield as conflicts move to means of subversion, sanctions, memes, lawfare, disinformation, and sponsored murder of individual civilians. Where everything can be weaponised, business is now in the front line of economic guerrilla warfare battling cyberattacks, political lobbying, social media manipulation and sanctions impacting our business models.
Time to understand and learn about this permanent state of global hybrid warfare.
“We are heading into an age when everyone may be in at least some kind of a state of ‘war' with everyone else, all the time, and it is just a matter of degree. Of course, we will still have allies and enemies, but these terms will mean different things at different times, in different contexts. Our very vocabulary is outdated: war, enemy, victory, all these concepts need to be re-thought. Welcome to a potential world of permanent, sublimated conflict, of the political struggle of all against all.”
August 11, 2022
The Weaponization of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War by Mark Galeotti is a brisk, illuminating, and sometimes witty survey into a broad selection of non-military domains of competition between countries and non-state actors. IE, how everything is becoming a weapon in an undeclared state of war. It is a very useful starter guide, and Galeotti is aware of its purpose as such. At the conclusion of every chapter is a selection of books to read to further explore the concept that the chapter covers. If you're planning on better understanding the future of warfare and competition outside of the realm of bullets, drones, and cyber, then you could do worse for yourself than to simply procure every book mentioned by Galeotti and give them a quick read through. None of what he mentions is a lightweight or at all obscure for the subject he's covering.
Its good and its short. Read it.
Its good and its short. Read it.
Read
March 3, 2025The book describes in easy prose and with many examples the range of deniable tools that can be used by hostile countries.
These go from trolls, intimidation, sabotage, economic threats, paid criminals, fomenting unrest, assassinations, bribery, financing of favourable lobbies, spreading lies, all the way to the use of mercenaries (e.g, Wagner group)and unidentified soldiers (the little green men in Crimea).
The relevance of the book is that it lists the range of instruments used as complements to direct war, hopefully making us more aware of manipulations.
The book is published just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Any suggestions by the author that low intensity rivalry would dominate future conflict changed overnight: kinetic war between major armies is back with a vengeance.
With the wisdom of hindsight, we can say that humans tend to exaggerate the significance of transient trends of their own times. To believe that drones or cyber attacks will make war less bloody is as wrong as when we hoped that using firearms would be less risky than swords because we were fighting at a greater distance.
We do not change. Only the means change.
These go from trolls, intimidation, sabotage, economic threats, paid criminals, fomenting unrest, assassinations, bribery, financing of favourable lobbies, spreading lies, all the way to the use of mercenaries (e.g, Wagner group)and unidentified soldiers (the little green men in Crimea).
The relevance of the book is that it lists the range of instruments used as complements to direct war, hopefully making us more aware of manipulations.
The book is published just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Any suggestions by the author that low intensity rivalry would dominate future conflict changed overnight: kinetic war between major armies is back with a vengeance.
With the wisdom of hindsight, we can say that humans tend to exaggerate the significance of transient trends of their own times. To believe that drones or cyber attacks will make war less bloody is as wrong as when we hoped that using firearms would be less risky than swords because we were fighting at a greater distance.
We do not change. Only the means change.
February 28, 2022
Very strange feeling to finish this the day before Russia launched an all out war on Ukraine. Galeotti is probably the most interesting and trustworthy commentator on Russia that I read/listen to (In Moscow's Shadow podcast is fantastic). The best part of his analysis is that he is not afraid to not make fantastical claims with extreme overconfidence. While he certainly likes his fancy titles and coined phrases (*cough cough* gerasimov doctrine) he equally likes to make fun of himself for them. I listened to this on audible, and appreciated his (he performed the audiobook himself) sardonic dry humor was appreciated just as much as the clear-eyed analysis.
March 25, 2022
Stumbled upon this book in the context of the current geopolitical unrest happening in the world. I found the examples provided to be fascinating, helping me understand the intricacies of imposing sanctions can backlash towards the imposer. Although I consider myself to have a certain media-consumption hygiene, it made me question whether confirmation bias affects me nonetheless and how difficult it might be to distinguish the nuances on an otherwise true fact. Even though I knew about some mercenary armies “for hire” the author depicted their rise and evolution in a way I haven’t thought about previously.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
Lectura rápida y amena. Describe muy bien el escenario actual, donde los países van hacia un esquema de conflictos permanentes de baja intensidad con picos de violencia que no llegan casi nunca a ser guerras abiertas, especialmente entre las grandes potencias. La baja de violencia física en los conflictos contrasta con una apertura de todos los ámbitos de la sociedad y todas las instituciones a su uso como arma geopolítica: relaciones comerciales, sociales, culturales, migratorias, legales y diplomáticas. Lectura recomendada en combinación con "The Age of Unpeace" de Mark Leonard para tener una primera aproximación al esceario estratégico actual.
November 12, 2025
książka na ciekawy temat, pomaga przypomnieć sobie że wojny nie są toczone tylko na froncie i jak duże znaczenia mają wszystkie działania nie militarne. Znalazłem w tej lekturze naprawdę DUŻO informacji (zapamiętam z nich tylko niewielka część). Cieszę się bo po zapoznaniu się z tą książką jestem bardziej świadomy jak może działać i wyglądać współczesny konflikt. Czuję że jedna z najważniejszych lekcji jest to że konflikty nie zawsze są jawne i nigdy mogą nie mieć oficjalnego końca.
Doceniam to że aby poprzeć każde słowo były podawane prawdziwe przykłady i to że na końcu każdego rozdziału były wymienione inne źródła na omawiany temat
Doceniam to że aby poprzeć każde słowo były podawane prawdziwe przykłady i to że na końcu każdego rozdziału były wymienione inne źródła na omawiany temat
April 28, 2024
Good, with one caveat. When I look at the subtitle, I can't help imagining Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, William the Conqueror, William T. Sherman, Basil Liddell Hart, and others looking at each other and saying, "New? What does he mean, new?"
This is a well-organized survey of current applications of the ancient idea that warfare is not limited to physical violence. But it never has been. The only aspects that are new are those that use recently developed technologies and institutions like the Internet.
With that reality check in mind, this is, regardless, both interesting and worth reading.
This is a well-organized survey of current applications of the ancient idea that warfare is not limited to physical violence. But it never has been. The only aspects that are new are those that use recently developed technologies and institutions like the Internet.
With that reality check in mind, this is, regardless, both interesting and worth reading.
April 9, 2022
A well-constructed run-through of, well, everything that doesn't overstay its welcome. The overall thrust of the book is to try to bring the reader up-to-date on the expansive new definition of 'conflict' and to suggest a few means of improvement. Every themed chapter could be a book in itself–and Galeotti continues to helpfully provide reading lists–but they feel substantive enough to convey his points.
As usual, his chipper British demeanour makes the audiobook a very pleasant read.
As usual, his chipper British demeanour makes the audiobook a very pleasant read.
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