Mick Ryan
@warinthefuture.bsky.social
54K followers 220 following 1.7K posts
Strategist, Leader & Author | Retd Army Major General | Senior Fellow in Military Studies @LowyInstitute | @CSIS | Modern & Future war studies | Futura Doctrina substack | #BannedInRussia
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warinthefuture.bsky.social
4/ My new article explores Peace to War Adaptation, why we should study it, and why we need to ensure that there are national leaders who can effectively lead their countries through this rapid & critical transition for their citizens. Read it here: mickryan.substack.com/p/adapting-f...
Adapting from Peace to War: From Ukraine to Future War
How might we better prepare ourselves and our societies for the rapid cognitive shift from a nation at peace to a nation at war, and why getting this right is crucial to the trajectory of war.
mickryan.substack.com
warinthefuture.bsky.social
3/ The effectiveness or otherwise of Peace to War Adaptation can also influence the trajectory of a war. It is important to ensure governments, industry, the military and society are all prepared for such a rapid cognitive shift.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
2/ This 3rd form of adaptation is that which occurs in the short period between peace and war: Peace to War Adaptation. It is important to understand this form of adaptation because it is the crucial process of learning and change that connects peacetime and wartime adaptation.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
The last few years have seen many examples of wartime adaptation. This has occurred in #Ukraine as well as the Middle East. We have also seen nations in Europe, North America and Asia seek to learn and conduct peacetime adaptation. But there is a 3rd form of #adaptation that is crucial. 1/4 🧵
warinthefuture.bsky.social
4/ This week's Big Five features articles & reports from @SSInow @KyivPost @CSIS @maxbergmann @MSnegovaya @ForeignAffairs and other content from @CovertShores @EuromaidanPress @Militarylandnet and others.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
3/ In the Pacific, China continued its operations around Taiwan, including daily aerial incursions into Taiwan ADIZ, and the tempo of allied military exercises continued to remain high.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
2/ Ukraine. The U.S. government might be changing its policy about intelligence sharing with #Ukraine for long-range strikes deep inside Russia. More drones were spotted over military bases & airports in European nations. Russia & Ukraine continued their respective deep strike operations.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
I have just posted my regular update on #Ukraine and global conflict. This week: U.S. deep strike target data for Ukraine, more drones over Europe, the Pacific and my Big Five recommended war reads. 1/5 🇺🇦🧵
warinthefuture.bsky.social
“The analysis challenges long-held assumptions about US Army superiority and sets a foundation for future research.” More Than a Numbers Game: Comparing US and Chinese Landpower in the Pacific
ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...
warinthefuture.bsky.social
3/ In my new article, I explore "conceptzia", how this and other factors led to poor European decision-making in the lead up to Russia's 2022 full scale invasion of #Ukraine, and why this means that surprise in the Pacific is probably inevitable. mickryan.substack.com/p/a-pacific-...
A Pacific Conceptzia: Why Surprise in the Pacific is Probably Inevitable
Learning from strategic failure and political decision-making in Europe and the Middle East in the past four years to understand the potential for strategic surprise in the Pacific.
mickryan.substack.com
warinthefuture.bsky.social
2/ The Hebrew term "conceptzia" is used by the authors of the book "While Israel Slept" to describe how evidence challenging strategic conceptions of Israel's security were ignored before 7/10/2023. It is also a concept for analysing how China might surprise Western nations in the Pacific.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
This predisposition of many politicians and other members of ‘the elite’ to not challenge existing dogma about security affairs is hardly a new idea. It has occurred throughout history. But it can have catastrophic outcomes when it happens. 1/3 🧵
Reposted by Mick Ryan
matgregory.bsky.social
Got a bit more reading done. Crashed by @adamtooze.bsky.social excellent, published in 2018 still feels relevant and shows how long the shadow of the 2008 crash looms. The War for Ukraine by @warinthefuture.bsky.social another excellent read to understand strategies and adaptations on both sides.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
4/ This week's Big Five recommended war and national security reads include articles or reports from @Ian_M_Easton @TimSweijs @hcssnl @WarOnTheRocks @WarInstitute @SMPrais @mchorowitz @Lauren_A_Kahn and @ForeignAffairs
warinthefuture.bsky.social
3/ In the Pacific, China continued its operations around Taiwan, including daily aerial incursions into Taiwan ADIZ, deployed two massive uncrewed submarines, and released a video of aircraft trials with its latest aircraft carrier.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
2/ President Trump hinted that he might be changing his mind about supporting Ukraine, endorsed shooting down Russian aircraft in NATO air space, & Ukraine requested Tomahawk missiles. Russia conducted more probes of NATO’s air defences. Russia & Ukraine continued their long-range strike operations.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
My regular update on global conflict is now available. It has been another huge week in international affairs, the war in #Ukraine and strategic competition in the Pacific. 1/5 🧵🇺🇦 (Image: @DefenceAust)
warinthefuture.bsky.social
It was a privilege to speak on the transformation drivers of AI, autonomy and adaptation for military institutions at today’s @scsp_ai #AI exchange in Austin, Texas.
warinthefuture.bsky.social
Trump’s recent post about #Ukraine was a major shift in his strategic narrative about the war. There are some good words, but words without action are pointless. My assessment, exploring potential impacts on the trajectory of the war, is available now. mickryan.substack.com/p/one-hell-o...
One Hell of a Fight - A Change In Trump’s Narrative on Ukraine
Trump’s recent post about the war in Ukraine was a major shift in his strategic narrative about the war. What did he actually say and what might it mean for the trajectory of the war?
mickryan.substack.com
warinthefuture.bsky.social
I was delighted to be able to join ⁦‪Aaron Maclean‬⁩ again on the awesome ⁦‪School of War podcast‬⁩ to discuss #Ukraine, and a framework for translating Ukraine lessons for application in the Pacific theatre.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Ep 233: Mick Ryan on the Ukraine War’s Urgent Lessons
Podcast Episode · School of War · 09/23/2025 · 42m
podcasts.apple.com