It was roughly a year ago that US intelligence warnings were becoming clearer that Russia was preparing an invasion of Ukraine, even as there was an assumption both in Washington and in European capitals that Moscow was just being belligerent.
By late February, not only had it become clear the threat was as real as could be, the world was given a first-hand look at Russia’s vaunted military falling apart at the seams, setting up a stalemate in Ukraine that would last 11 months and counting. In the process, the entire security framework of Europe changed, with NATO expansion on the table, a reassessment of the importance of armor in modern conflict, and fears of a full-on continental war.
All of which is to say, looking back and assessing the year that was is always going to be easier than trying to predict the future. That doesn’t mean we haven’t tried, as this collection of stories shows. How well did we do in guessing what is to come? Keep us honest by checking back often at BreakingDefense.com over the coming year. We look forward to continuing to provide you with the best defense coverage throughout the year.
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