The article argues that modern conflicts are increasingly defined by attrition, driven by three strategic gaps: the difference between nominal military power and usable capacity; the difficulty of achieving breakthroughs in a technologically advanced battlefield; and the detachment of military means from clear political objectives. Evidence from Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrates that sustained logistics, rapid technological adaptation, and proxy networks are now more decisive than sheer military size. For policymakers, this implies a strategic shift away from seeking short, decisive victories toward preparing for prolonged, high-cost engagements, requiring a focus on sustainable supply chains and defining concrete, attainable political end-states.
Confusion over UK sanctions on Russia undermines a Western response that was already too slow and half-hearted
English Summary
The Chatham House analysis argues that Western sanctions against Russia are failing because the effort is hampered by poor coordination and a reluctance among nations to bear the necessary economic costs. The UK's recent sanctions efforts, particularly regarding diesel and jet fuel, were criticized as inconsistent and weak, undermining the broader Western front and damaging unity. For sanctions to be effective, the West must overcome its desire to limit its own economic pain and instead adopt a unified, serious approach that openly accepts the costs required to counter Russia's existential threat. Failure to coordinate and commit fully risks weakening the overall Western response and the cohesion of alliances.
中文摘要
查塔姆學會的分析指出，西方對俄羅斯的制裁行動正在失敗，其主要症結在於協調不力，以及各國不願承擔必要的經濟成本。英國近期針對柴油和噴射燃料等實施的制裁，被批評為缺乏一致性和力度，這不僅削弱了西方的整體戰線，也損害了聯盟的團結性。若要使制裁取得成效，西方必須克服自身限制經濟痛苦的傾向，轉而採取一種統一、嚴肅的方針，公開接受為應對俄羅斯存亡威脅所需的成本。若無法充分協調和承諾，將會危及西方整體應對措施的效力，並動搖聯盟的凝聚力。
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