The “Defence Strategies of Small States and Smaller Forces: Tactical Adaptations and Operational Innovations” conference began today, Sunday, 23 February 2025. The event is being held by the Strategic Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, over the course of three days. Participants in the conference, including leading researchers and experts from 28 countries around the world, will discuss the vast range of security challenges and responses available to small states and non-state actors in 30 small states across ten sessions. Drawing from numerous comparative and regional case-studies – from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, including the Gulf and the wider Middle East region – participants will analyse the evolving nature of defence practices in small states and the innovative ways they employ to confront emerging security threats.

Omar Ashour, Director of the Strategic Studies Unit, gave an opening speech, in which he welcomed the participating researchers and attendees. He noted the relativity of the concept of small and smaller, making it subject to the size of the other party in a confrontation. The idea of the conference came to fill some of the knowledge gaps in the literature on the subject, including definitions, as the literature on the subject is still limited compared to the literature on the economies of countries and their international relations. Ashour then explained the three main objectives of the conference: First, to provide multi-level analyses - from tactical innovations to strategic transformations in the seven fields of war (land, sea, air, space, information-intelligence, cyber, and electro-magnetism), linking field experiences on the front lines on the one hand, and academic discussions on the other. Second, to provide comparative lessons from the experiences of regular armies of small (or smaller) states and irregular non-state powers, demonstrating how similar challenges – such as limited manpower, economic resources, or geopolitical influence – produce diverse and sometimes surprising strategic adaptations, as well as operational and tactical innovations. Third, to explore how these lessons and perspectives can inform the strategic defence policy agenda and contribute to national, regional, and international security.

Abdelwahab El-Affendi chaired the keynote panel, in which Anthony King, Professor of War Studies and Director of the Strategy and Security Institute at the University of Exeter, began with his lecture, “Small States in Modern Wars: The Roles of Urban Warfare and Artificial Intelligence in Strategic Defence”. He argued that, as Ukraine has showed, even a relatively small military power may be very capable of defending itself, if it harnesses the defensive potential of urban areas, enabled by AI. Omar Ashour, who is also Professor of Security and Military Studies and the Founder of the Critical Security Studies Programme at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, followed with his lecture, “Hybrid Defence for Small(er) States: Lessons in Combat Effectiveness from Ukraine to Gaza”, offering strategic insights into the evolving character of contemporary warfare and its implications for defence policies and national security strategies.

The first panel, “Strategic Endurance: Gaza and Modern Warfare Lessons”, was chaired by Ayat Hamadan. Speaking first, Bilal Shalash presented “‘A History-Making Vanguard’: Palestinian Resistance Organizations as Smaller Forces (1965-2025)”, in which he examined Palestinian resistance organizations as smaller powers across the theoretical, strategic, and operational-tactical levels. Speaking next, Mahmoud Muhareb presented “The Israeli Army’s Reserve Forces: Reasons for Their Decline in Quantity and Quality”, explaining how the decline in Israeli reserve forces has weakened the Israeli army’s combat readiness and overall military effectiveness. Speaking next, Majd Abuamer presented “How Hamas Defends: Combat Tactics and Operational Innovations in the 2023-2024 Gaza War”, examining how Hamas directed its combat doctrine away from Israeli strengths, forcing the Israeli military to change its strategy by engaging in ground warfare instead of relying solely on airstrikes. Wrapping up the session, Bashir Saade presented “The Resilience of Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance”, focusing on the importance of martyrdom in instilling very practical, logistical, and military implications.

After a coffee break, Aicha Elbasri chaired a panel on “The Role of Women in Small(er) State Defences”. Speaking first, Yara Nassar, presented “Women in the Palestinian Armed Resistance: Trajectories and Paths”, which traced the transformations that reflect the evolving role of women in Palestinian resistance, from logistical support to direct military engagement, in an ongoing and dynamic struggle. Fatima Al-Nuaimi followed with “The Role of Women in the Qatari Armed Forces: Opportunities and Challenges”, in which she used an empirical sociological approach, to address the integration of women into Qatar’s military. Mariia Chekh, a Ukrainian soldier who was captured by the Russian army in 2022, spoke next on “Women in the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Evolution, Challenges, and Field Experiences”. She argued that gender-inclusive force structures are indispensable for holistic operational capabilities, reinforcing Ukraine’s – as well as smaller states’ – national defence posture amidst ongoing hostilities and ever-evolving strategic imperatives. Ivana Kovačević Bekić rounded off the panel with “Women in the Defence System of the Republic of Croatia”, analysing the role and rights of women in Croatia’s defence institutions, and how they contribute to the defence of Croatia.

After the lunch break, Haider Saeed chaired the third panel, “Securing the Gulf: Multi-Domain Adaptions and Innovations”. Speaking first, Talab Alfleej presented “Kuwait’s Defence Strategy: Toward a Military Doctrine That Defeats Challenges”, examining the structure of Kuwait’s armed forces, the challenges they face, and the impact of the strategic environment on their organization. Muhammad bin Said Al-Futaisi spoke on “Oman’s Strategic Resilience”, and assessed its defence strategy, designed to navigate a turbulent regional landscape marked by crises such as the Iranian nuclear issue, the conflict in Yemen, maritime piracy, and emerging threats like terrorism, gray zone operations, etc. Khalifa Al-Kuwari followed with “Cyber Defence of Small Gulf States: The Cases of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates”, analysing how small Gulf states navigate the complex legal landscape of cyber defence through the lens of international law. The final paper of the day was presented by Rashid Al-Mohanadi, “From Buyers to Builders: The GCC’s Quest for a Homegrown Defence Industry”, who provided an overview of the GCC defence industry, analysing the defence industrial policies and investments, namely of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, while looking into the limited initiatives of Oman and Kuwait.