A couple of weeks ago, a German bestseller called If Russia Wins was translated into English — and sparked a frisson in some Anglo-Saxon military circles. The book outlines a scenario in which Moscow launches a hybrid war, say by grabbing an Estonian town or island, setting off a Nato crisis.
Fantastical? Yes, a few years ago. But not now; least of all given that Russian drones recently invaded Polish space. Nor that European governments are finally — belatedly — pledging to raise military spending; and Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, has just announced plans to create a “drone wall” on Europe’s eastern flank, with Ukraine’s help.
Foreign policy wonks should pay attention. But so should investors and voters. For the “drone wall” is not just important in a geopolitical sense; it also highlights an increasingly crucial story about tech and innovation for the west. Indeed, if President Donald Trump really wants to bolster US power, his team should urgently read If Russia Wins — and watch that drone wall.