Russia’s New Army

Russia has transformed its military from one based on conscription and mass mobilization to one that is “professional” with ready active-duty forces that field more maneuver units than the US. With new weapons designed to asymmetrically counter US advantages, a “hybrid” war capability that has been employed in the Crimea and Ukraine, and increased use of private military organizations such as the Wagner Group, Russia poses a complex and formidable military challenge.

This discussion with Retired Brigadier General Kevin Ryan, the founding director of Belfer’s Defense and Intelligence Project and the Elbe Group, will provide a fascinating and important look at the current state of the Russian Armed Forces. The session will weave current video clips of Russian maneuvers and training together with facts and insights obtained by personal contact with Russian active duty and retired officers.  Ryan served as the U.S. Defense Attache in Moscow, and has been working on the Soviet and Russian military since 1980.  In February, he led a group of retired military experts in delivering a month-long course on the Russian military for the US Army Europe and Africa Command.

This conversation will be moderated by Director of the Intelligence Project, Paul Kolbe. For limited in-person attendance, (first 50 students to sign up) please register here:  https://forms.gle/YoewT5x5cpU9z4bA6 if selected you will received a confirmation email. 

To join via Zoom, please register below.

This event is closed to Harvard students, fellows and faculty and is NOT open to the public.