“Reflecting on war is essential if we are ever to overcome it”

In an increasingly uncertain international context, marked by technological innovation and shifting geopolitical balances, reflecting on war has become essential. We spoke with Salvador Sánchez Tapia, an expert in strategy and security, on the occasion of congress Future of War,” organized by the University of Navarra in Madrid. It was an opportunity to understand how conflicts evolve and what key factors allow us to interpret them more deeply.

1. Throughout your career, you have analyzed war from various perspectives. What led you to specialize in this field?

As a career military degree program with many degree program service in the Armed Forces, the reality of war—and the possibility of finding myself directly involved in it—has been a constant presence in my life. It is only logical and natural that my academic interests should focus on this area.

2. For those who are unfamiliar with these issues, why do you think it is important to continue reflecting on war today?

The possibility that humanity might consign war to the dustbin of history seems remote today, after decades in which we have lived under the illusion that this could happen within our lifetimes. Trotsky said: “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”

From that perspective, and at a time like the present, when armed conflict has once again taken center stage in international relations, I believe it is more urgent than ever to gain a deep understanding of it—not to pay tribute to it or glorify it, but to try to find a way to eliminate it or, at the very least, mitigate its unintended consequences.

3. War is sometimes perceived as a distant reality. Do you think that perception still holds true in today’s world?

Whether war seems close or far away depends on the observer’s perspective. We may perceive the possibility as distant—which does not necessarily mean it is—but in other parts of the world, people live and have always lived in close proximity to war. Right now we see Ukraine and Gaza; but think of the many African countries where armed violence is a common means of achieving goals and resolving disputes.

Even within our own cultural context, I don't think we can say today that war is a distant reality for us.

4. The congress Future of War” offers a strategic perspective on changes in conflict. Why do you think discussion the right time to promote this discussion ?

Understanding war is essential if we are ever to overcome it, if that is even possible. Until that happens, moreover, this discussion will help discussion develop a more capable and effective defense that deters anyone who might seek to wage war against us. Furthermore, looking ahead—and understanding the future—will also help us make the right investments in defense, reducing the likelihood of squandering scarce human and financial resources.

5. One of the core topic concepts core topic “technological acceleration.” Are we witnessing a natural evolution, or a more profound transformation of warfare?

It’s hard to say without the benefit of hindsight. What is undeniable is that we are living through one of those moments when change is accelerating due to the accumulation of innovations—many of them disruptive—over a short period of time. Everything points to the fact that the nature of war is going to undergo a profound transformation, although the essence of violence, conflict, and uncertainty will remain.

6. The program explores ideas such as multi-domain warfare and mosaic warfare. What are the practical implications of these concepts?

This means that the possibilities will multiply; the amount of information to be processed will be immense; it will be harder to maintain secrecy and surprise; decisions will have to be made accurately in a matter of seconds; and we will have to resolve ethical dilemmas that were previously unimaginable. War will become increasingly costly.

7. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are gaining prominence. What challenges and opportunities do they present in the military sphere?

The advantages are undeniable: from reducing exhibition to risk to processing data at high speed and optimizing resources and ammunition. The challenge is ensuring that humans always retain ultimate control, even in the face of the fast pace of war and the ethical dilemmas posed by these autonomous systems.

8. Beyond technology, what factors continue to play a decisive role in today’s conflicts?

The human factor remains decisive: the morale, training, motivation, and determination of soldiers make all the difference. History is full of examples where more powerful armies have lost wars due to human factors.

9. Based on your experience, what are the most common mistakes or oversimplifications made when analyzing future warfare?

To imagine a war without humans; to think that war will be harmless; to assume that technology will follow a linear path of development; to believe in its omnipotence without considering its limitations or the cost of its widespread implementation; to ignore the fact that development is not uniform across the globe… The list goes on.

10. For students and young professionals, what knowledge or approaches do you consider essential for understanding the conflicts of the coming decades?

It is essential to understand the potential of technology, but what really matters is understanding the causes of conflict. Technology is merely a tool; what is essential is knowing what triggers conflicts. A solid grasp of history and geography remains core topic understanding war in the future.