Internet, public surveillance, satellites, and big data. Since World War II technological advancements have ushered in a new manner in which warfare is organized. All the grand strategies of war can now be encompassed as a singular continuous campaign. Economical, psychological, asymmetrical, political, proxy, containment, and such is introduced at a key strategic point.
The success of modern warfare is in the ability to make real time adjustments to counter and deteriorate any lead an adversary has on any metric.
There are only a few countries with the means to carry out a war that takes into consideration the affects of actions and reactions on a global scale. Russia is leading the attack but they have a wall to scale in regards to China.
If you look at the geopolitical strides Russia has made they are pushing to garner greater indirect influence in Southeast Asia, and Africa to be seen as a security alternative to the U.S, and to discourage interference and opinions.
They would be successful if America looks bad, and in another middle eastern conflict while a partner in China focuses on making diplomatic inroads, and giving Russia a popularity boost, as they themselves denounce America’s new war.
If Iran escalates ferociously they play right into the hands of the Russians as a puppet accounted for. If Iran escalates symbolically they might as well admit defeat and withdraw from the world stage. Their decades of funding anti-Israel sentiment has been exhausted and being propped by the Russians.
Russia would like all out war to break out. The Chinese commitment to Russia would be tested. China does not provide Russia arms but gives them all the tools and capacity requested for production. Severing China from the West is a top priority as they would spearhead the technological, and economic war.
The Chinese peace brokered deal between Iran, and Saudi Arabia could fall apart. Whereas the Abraham Accords has brought Israel, and Saudi Arabia closer to normalization as Arab nations recognize the threat Iran poses to them for regional security. China will be seen as guilty of association.
Russia is advancing the war by acting on the conflicts of interest China, Iran, North Korea, and Africa as a whole has against the collective west. Especially what concerns China; their own backyard. The “multipolarity’ schtick had got the ball rolling.
Very good setup by the Russians. They played everyone for the useful idiot in a divide and conquer strategy. The world has not been fully divided into two camps yet, but Putin keeps pushing. Their strategies are fast being unveiled.
Hegemonic competitions, big power competitions are now actively managed in a manner that should make people uneasy. I guess the purpose of current events is to help one prepare for a changing world. Events will still blindside you, but at least you'll have a better grasp of the severity of the situation.
I'm just a civilian. That would be left for dead. As I have been, countless times before.