Recent insights from Omar Ashour, Professor of Security and Military Studies and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National and International Security (INIS), offer a valuable analytical perspective on the evolving nature of modern warfare through the case of Ukraine.

Shortly before the escalation of tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran—often framed in analytical discourse as a potential new phase of a “Gulf War”—Professor Ashour conducted an intensive training module for Ukrainian defence analysts and civil society practitioners engaged directly in the security sector. The training, organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Reform Support Office and the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, focused on compressing a full academic curriculum into a practical, operationally relevant format.

The module addressed key pillars of contemporary warfare, including multi-domain operations (MDO), combined-arms logic, force employment and protection, and operational assessment methodologies such as Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) and Measures of Performance (MOP). A central emphasis was placed on transforming empirical data and battlefield observations into decision-grade analytical judgments—an increasingly critical skill in high-tempo conflict environments.

Ukraine represents a unique case in modern security studies: a state where theoretical frameworks are continuously tested and refined under real combat conditions. As highlighted in the training, battlefield experience has effectively become a primary instructor, shaping not only tactical adaptation but also strategic thinking. This dynamic reinforces the concept that modern warfare is less about static doctrine and more about continuous learning cycles.

The training concluded with two advanced simulation exercises. The first focused on the defence of Kyiv, illustrating the application of defensive multi-domain operations under conditions of sustained pressure. The second explored forward-looking operational planning for Crimea, emphasizing offensive MDO concepts centered on effects-based operations, force cohesion, legitimacy, and long-term sustainability.

From an analytical standpoint, Ukraine’s evolving “theory of victory” reflects several interconnected components: adaptive learning processes, integration of fires and maneuver across domains, hybrid operational approaches, societal resilience, and the endurance of international coalitions. This framework demonstrates that success in modern conflict is increasingly determined by the ability to synchronize military, informational, and societal dimensions of power.