Institute for the Study of War and Strategy, University of ST Andrews

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Institute for the Study of War and Strategy, University of ST Andrews

Welcome to the Institute for the Study of War and Strategy. The ISWS provides a network and platform for the study of war and strategy.

Bringing together practitioners and scholars, the ISWS aims to facilitate interdepartmental research and public debate.

22/04/2025

Accelerating the degradation of Russia's integrated air defence systems is critical to enabling the defeat of Russian ground forces. This paper considers the role of land-air integration in achieving their suppression and destruction.

18/10/2020

As we begin Independent Learning Week we are delighted to share another film review with you. This time 9th Company.

" "No one has ever managed to conquer this country. No one. Ever”, and it would be no different for the young men of the 9th Company in this eponymous film based, somewhat loosely, on real events. The journey of the conscripts to their appointment with history on Hill 3234 begins some six months before on a rainy day in their home city of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. It is 1988 and the Soviet Union has been fighting in Afghanistan for nine years. Through the first night in the local barracks, through the hardships of basic training in Uzbekistan, to a transport aircraft to Baghram Air Base, Lyutyi, Chugun, Giocondo, Ryaba, Stas, Seryi, Vorobey and Pinochet, share experiences that define and test who they are and who they will become.

The soldiers of the 9th Company live through many of the inherent contradictions of the war in Afghanistan and the Soviet system, both of which would end within two years. The operational realities of the growing Afghan insurgency and the presence of vast numbers of Soviet troops, tanks and helicopter gunships is juxtaposed with the Communist Party’s mantra for being there in the first place: to defend their Afghan comrades from imperialism. The failure of Soviet logistics to supply the embedded troops with basic provisions results in the need to steal from their own convoys. There are insightful moments as well – a Freudian explanation of the nature of violence offered to a drill instructor and a discussion of Michelangelo’s approach to aesthetics and its relationship to war.

Curiously, the film itself also contains some contradictions in style. In contrast to moments of insight and originality, there are set-piece ambushes, explosions galore, and a faceless, dimensionless enemy. The latter might be a purposeful attempt to relate to the young conscripts’ own view of the enemy who they did not know or understand. Perhaps. But, the more ‘Hollywood’ moments in this 2005 box office success detract from an otherwise well-told story of a defining period in the Soviet Union."

IMDb link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3922798/

A full list of our film reviews can be found at: https://isws.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/student-society/trinity-film-reviews/

11/10/2020

After a quiet few months we hope to restart our film review series. The first review is Felipe's take on a previous film we've recommended, The Siege of Jadotville.

"A tense exploration of a forgotten episode in the United Nation’s first foray into peacekeeping. The Siege of Jadotville seeks to tell the story of the real life event whereby roughly 150 Irish soldiers in the southern Congo were besieged by thousands of rebels and mercenaries. There is much to commend the movie on, with the production itself being of a good quality, alongside solid acting performances by the majority of the cast. There are however, significant shortfalls that must be addressed and pointed out. At the core, this movie appears to be suffering from an identity crisis. The tone and perspective switches from an action oriented and guns blazing “last stand” movie, to an exploration of the political causes and failures of interventions, to simply a historical and neutral retelling of a true story.

The movie’s lack of commitment to a single storytelling approach is unfortunate because there is so much to explore about this fascinating battle relegated to the annexes of history. The movie alludes to logistics and fortification issues, which played a major role in its real life counterpart and which could have served as an excellent foundation for a more technically and action focused movie, but these issues are resolved or quickly forgotten. The political infighting and corporate intrigue in Congo at the time could by itself provide an excellent insight into the geopolitical and economic causes of conflict but these are also set aside rather quickly.

At the end of the day, this movie chooses a middle path between several opposing perspectives, and despite these drawbacks it remains a thoroughly entertaining action flick with just enough politics and realism to suggest to its viewers that there is more to war than heroic Rambo soldiers with infinite ammo supplies."

A portfolio of our film reviews can be found on our website: https://isws.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/student-society/trinity-film-reviews/

27/04/2020

I hope you have time for viewing some interesting and challenging films, we have more reviews coming in every week. Today, our review discusses a film about the impact of war on a young child in West Africa. Its take on conflict is firmly focused on the individual, caught up in circumstances beyond their control.

" ‘Beasts of No Nation’ wants you to think. Unlike other high-budget Netflix originals, such as War Machine, it does not tell the story of leading individuals within war but instead individuals that are often forgotten. Perhaps this is best reflected by the fact that rather than being based on a true story it is based on a novel by Uzodinma Iweala. In my opinion, the message it provides becomes all the more powerful as a result. The film follows the story of how, a young boy, Agu, finds himself a child soldier in an unnamed West African nation, after the ex*****on of his father and brother.

You do not focus on the political considerations of civil war but the horrific impacts it has on young people that are swept up in the conflict. It leaves you with an uncomfortable feeling, wondering how such destruction is often overlooked. This is best represented by the ‘Commandant’ played by Idris Elba, causing a awe of unease in ragged, war-worn clothes while in a waiting room with others dressed in suits and holding briefcases.

Despite the countless scenes of death and horror it was this one that hit me most. To me, it represented a disconnect I had between war and individuals such as Agu. The acting and cinematography is incredible throughout. This film is not for those who want to learn about civil war in West Africa but for those who want to be forced to think about its impacts."

16/04/2020

We at Trinity Student Society hope you are keeping well during the current state of isolation. Another film recommendation, Paths of Glory (1957) accompanied by our own film review (thanks Felipe!). Enjoy!

"A tale of the horrors of war serves as the backdrop to one of Kubrick’s masterful explorations of human behaviour. The setup is simple, and the focus is uncompromising, and all the more terrible given the real life incident that inspired this film. Set in WWI, a battalion is ordered to launch a near suicidal assault on the German trenches. When many of the soldiers refuse to leave their trenches, unsympathetic superiors order their trial for cowardice, with three men eventually chosen, mostly at random, to be punished in lieu of their entire companies.

Our hero in this story is Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas), cast in the role of a courageous but compassionate leader of his men. His struggle to save them from unfair judgement and the mounting of a defence at their trial serves as the central conflict for much of the movie. And yet he quickly becomes little more than an observer to the absurdity of the machinations and ambitions of his superiors.

Kubrick is at his best here, exemplified by his choice to start the movie not on the muddy ground amidst dirty and tired soldiers, but rather in a pristine and peaceful chateau. Here, we are introduced to our antagonists before any other character. Two generals debate the merit and possibility of conducting an assault for political gain. The hardships and losses of their men become mere collateral damage on the road to ambition. At its core, this movie questions the conditions by which men are sent to die on behalf of other, fallible men. The madness of human behaviour, conditioned by perspective and rendered blind by circumstance, is on full throttle in this amazingly written and superbly constructed look at the consequences of war."

31/03/2020

We at Trinity hope that you are keeping safe and making productive use of your time self-isolating. However, watching interesting and engaging films is always a pleasure, we will make a few suggestions over the coming weeks. Your feedback is always valued, happy viewing! This week, a gripping film on Netflix, based on a true incident. A little known episode during the UN deployment of peacekeepers to the Congo in 1961...

01/03/2020

Our Student Society Trinity is organising another wargaming session next week on Wednesday. With 3 or scenarios available we've got plenty there for everyone's taste. Do come along and bring your friends!

Weds 4 March, 3.00-6.00pm
United College, Room 31 (above Schools II/III)

Followed by drinks at Aikman's.

Don't hesitate to get in touch over Messenger or using Trinity's email address: [email protected]

25/11/2019

Don't forget Trinity's wargaming session tomorrow. This will be a great opportunity to learn - no previous experience needed! Open to UG's and PG's.

20/11/2019

Our Student Society Trinity is organising a wargaming session next week Tuesday. With two scenario's available we've got plenty there for everyone's taste. Do come along and bring your friends!

Tue 26-Nov, 3-6pm
Schools 2&3, United College, Room 31

Followed by drinks at Aikman's.

Don't hesitate to get in touch over Messenger or using Trinity's email address: [email protected]

28/10/2019

TODAY! Come all, 5pm Arts Lecture Theatre.

We are very happy to welcome Dr. ven Bruusgaard, who will be speaking about Soviet and Russian nuclear strategic deterrence.

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http://isws.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/

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