List of the Most Popular Articles Published by MWI in 2022
In 2022, the war in Ukraine dominated the defense discourse, with numerous insightful articles published to analyse the conflict's initial invasion, military dynamics, and evolving defense support for Ukraine. Here are some key articles and insights from the year:
- Detailed coverage of the initial invasion phase (Feb-April 2022) provided a comprehensive account of the Russian multi-directional assault launched from Belarus and the east, targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk. This phase was marked by intense fighting and significant Russian advances, such as around Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks, which faced a strong Ukrainian defense.
- Analysis of the southeastern front fighting through mid-2022 noted that by April, the Russian offensive had slowed due to Ukrainian resistance, especially in heavily fortified zones. Russian military efforts included missile strikes on major cities such as Kyiv and Lviv, while Ukrainian forces highlighted a severe artillery imbalance, with Russia outgunning Ukraine approximately 10 to 15 to 1. The Ukrainian military and Western allies anticipated increased artillery support to counter this disadvantage.
- Reporting on Western military aid and strategic responses detailed the U.S. and allied commitments to Ukraine, including advanced weapon deliveries and financial support. For example, in 2022 the U.S. warned of Russian invasion intentions early on, then committed billions in military aid, including air defense systems critical for countering Russian airstrikes. Patriot missile systems were procured by Ukraine through funding from Germany, Norway, and Lithuania during this period.
- Discussion of hybrid warfare and geopolitical impacts showed how Russia’s strategy involved destabilizing Europe and undermining the support for Ukraine without full direct escalation beyond the invasion. Subsequent analysis focuses on how Ukraine and its allies responded to these asymmetric tactics.
The most authoritative and frequently cited reports on the Ukraine war published in 2022 came from major analytical sources like the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Wikipedia summaries based on collated military reports, and defense policy blogs from leading think tanks such as the Atlantic Council and Carnegie Endowment.
Other notable articles of 2022 include:
- Seven (Initial) Drone Warfare Lessons from Ukraine, published on May 12, 2022, which discussed important lessons about the use of drones on the modern battlefield learned from the war in Ukraine.
- An article by James Lacey discussing the importance of returning the study of war to the center of professional military education. (No specific date provided in the text)
- The early days of the war in Ukraine revealed several vital strategic lessons, published on February 28, 2022.
- The 2022 list of the top ten most popular articles published by the website provides a snapshot of the strategic landscape and the top priorities of the US defense enterprise.
These articles and insights offer valuable insights into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its broader strategic implications.
- Urban warfare tactics played a significant role during the initial invasion phase of the war in Ukraine, as both Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed in densely populated areas such as Kyiv and Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks.
- The evolving defense support for Ukraine in the midst of the war battles in 2022 became a crucial aspect of military education, with experts emphasizing the importance of strategic responses and intelligence gathering.
- As the war in Ukraine progressed, military history was redefined, with key lessons about hybrid warfare, geopolitical impacts, and drone warfare being drawn from the conflict.
- In response to the ongoing war and its impacts on war-and-conflicts, politics and general news became intertwined, with numerous articles discussing the role of politics in shaping defense strategies and military aid.
- The use of drones in the war in Ukraine has led to various insights, with several articles published in 2022 offering profound learning about the role of drones in modern warfare, particularly in urban environments.
