Gerasimov

Gerasimov, Valery Vasilyevich (Герасимов, Валерий Васильевич) is a Russian General of the Army, currently serving as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and First Deputy Minister of Defence. He was appointed to these positions on 9 November 2012.

Military Career:

Gerasimov has held various senior command positions throughout his military career. Prior to becoming Chief of the General Staff, he commanded the Moscow Military District and served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff. He has also held command roles within the North Caucasus Military District and commanded the 58th Army during the Second Chechen War. His experience includes leading troops in both Chechnya and Syria.

"Gerasimov Doctrine":

The name "Gerasimov Doctrine" is a term often used in Western media and academic circles to describe a perceived Russian military strategy blending military, technological, informational, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and other tactics to achieve strategic goals. However, the term itself is considered a misnomer by some, as it is not an officially recognized or endorsed doctrine within Russian military thinking. The idea of a "Gerasimov Doctrine" stems largely from an article written by Gerasimov in 2013, titled "The Value of Science is in Foresight." This article discussed the evolving nature of warfare and the blurring lines between war and peace. While Gerasimov analyzed these trends, he did not explicitly propose a unified doctrine or strategy that could be summarized as the "Gerasimov Doctrine." The label was subsequently applied and interpreted by Western analysts, often focusing on the perceived emphasis on non-military tactics, such as propaganda, disinformation, and cyber warfare, alongside traditional military operations. It's crucial to recognize that this interpretation is largely a Western construct and may not accurately reflect the totality of Russian military thought and practice.