Economists and Military Must Collaborate for Long-Term War Success, Says Ribakova
Elina Ribakova, a Non-resident Fellow at Bruegel, argues that economists and military specialists must collaborate more closely to ensure success in prolonged conflicts, particularly in an era of 'long wars' or 'wars of attrition.' Ribakova highlights that productive capacity and economic management are critical factors shaping war outcomes, often overlooked in traditional military strategies. She points out that the 2026 National Defense Strategy under President Trump's administration, while noting the economic scale of non-U.S. NATO allies compared to Russia, can be misleading without considering purchasing power parity. The analysis suggests that economic power does not automatically translate into military success, citing examples like Ukraine's resilience against a larger Russian economy and Iran's ability to challenge U.S. forces despite its smaller economy. A new research agenda is proposed, focusing on four building blocks: generating resources, converting resources into military capabilities, deny...
