Big Serge Thought

Big Serge Thought is centered around in-depth analysis and commentary on the Russo-Ukrainian War, with emphasis on strategic, operational, and geopolitical aspects. It provides historical comparisons to WW2, examines military tactics and innovations, and explores political dimensions of warfare, including the effects of leadership decisions and international dynamics.

Russo-Ukrainian War Analysis Military Strategy and Tactics Geopolitical Dynamics Historical Military Comparisons Leadership in Warfare International Relations and Politics

The hottest Substack posts of Big Serge Thought

And their main takeaways

The History of Battle: Maneuver Part 4

1 implied HN point • 28 Nov 22
  1. The introduction of standardized firearms like muskets and cannons revolutionized warfare, shifting society and changing the nature of the warrior into a part of a centralized state army.
  2. The Battle of Breitenfeld during the Thirty Years War highlighted the importance of maneuver on the battlefield, showing the impact of transitioning from dense squares to linear formations of musketeers.
  3. Frederick the Great's military strategy involved swift, aggressive attacks to confront and defeat enemies in a series of wars, focusing on timely and decisive battlefield engagement.

The History of Battle: Maneuver, Part 3

1 implied HN point • 22 Nov 22
  1. Battle victory can come from different strategies that both concentrate and disperse fighting power.
  2. Maneuvering in battle is unpredictable, dependent on army qualities and enemy reactions.
  3. An idealized form of battle is annihilation, where the enemy is completely destroyed as a cohesive unit.

The History of Battle: Maneuver, Part 2

1 implied HN point • 10 Nov 22
  1. Maintaining operational ambiguity in warfare is crucial to keep the enemy in the dark about your intentions.
  2. Dispersion of forces can help create strategic ambiguity and confuse the enemy, leading to successful maneuvering on the battlefield.
  3. Napoleon's innovative use of the corps system in organizing his army allowed for rapid movement, independence of units, and swift concentration of forces during battles.

The Soul of Battle

1 implied HN point • 01 Nov 22
  1. War is a complex and paradoxical human experience with both horrors and allure.
  2. Battles in wartime are intense and reveal the purest form of contest between will, courage, and competence.
  3. Battle presents an existential singularity where the ultimate truth of life and death is faced without mediation.