长期战争：首战之外的持久战【RUSI】

COMMENTARYThe Long War:Fighting Beyond the First BattleHamish Mundell20 October 20256 Minute ReadIt is irresponsible to conceal the prospect of war from apopulation you will call on for second and third echelonreinforcements,for whom survival hinges on preparation.The first of a series of RUSI Military Science outputs in the Long WarProgramme,this commentary is part of a programme that seeks to examinethe cross-domain and cross-government implications for the UK and itsallies of preparing for and deterring an enduring conflict with Russia.Wars are rarely short.Despite the hopes of politicians and planners,theyoften last longer,cost more and claim more lives than anticipated.This hasheld true from British forces departing for France in 1914,to NATOs forayinto Afghanistan,to Vladimir Putins ongoing war against Ukraine.Putsimply:very rarely is a war over by Christmas.As NATO reorientates to face a post-Ukraine Russia,the United Kingdommust resist the institutional impulse to plan for the first battle alone.Thenext war may not be quick and winning it will demand more than readiness;it will require breadth and depth as a priority to build resilience and politicalhonesty about the realit