Docent Dr Mikael Weissmann

Hybrid Threats | Psychological Defence | Strategic Intelligence | Technology & Defence | Modern Warfare | Urban Warfare | Staff Rides | Wargames | China and the Indo-Pacific | the Balkans | Central Asia

Category: Teaching and Learning Page 1 of 3

New Article: Fågel Fenix: Divisionens strid och taktik i en nutida operativ kontext

By

On 1 May 2026

In Land Warfare, Publication, Russia, War Games, Wargames

I am pleased to share a new article co-authored with Lt Col Dr Lars Henåker, published in Kungl. Krigsvetenskapsakademiens Tidskrift, the journal of The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences. The article appears in issue no. 1/2026, which is a theme issue focusing on the army.

In “Fågel Fenix: Divisionens strid och taktik i en nutida operativ kontext” [Phoenix Rising: Division-level Combat and Tactics in a Contemporary Operational Context], we examine the renewed relevance of the division as a command level in the Swedish Army. Against the background of Sweden’s NATO membership, the war in Ukraine, and the increasing complexity of contemporary land warfare, the article asks what the division adds beyond the brigade level and how it can be used in combat.

The article, written in Swedish, examines the renewed relevance of the division as a command level in the Swedish Army. Against the background of Sweden’s NATO membership, the war in Ukraine, and the increasing complexity of contemporary land warfare, we ask what the division adds beyond the brigade level and how it can be used in combat.

Drawing on observations from the Swedish Army Staff Exercise 2022 (ASÖ22), the article analyses division-level command and tactics through eight tactical elements: deployment, aggressive reconnaissance, manoeuvre, breakthrough, high tempo, surprise, shock, and organisational breakdown. We argue that the division has re-emerged as a critical level for coordinating brigades, enabling manoeuvre, sustaining combat power, and creating the conditions for decisive action in a complex operational environment.

Reference:
Henåker, Lars and Weissmann, Mikael, “Fågel Fenix: Divisionens strid och taktik i en nutida operativ kontext”, Kungliga Krigsvetenskapsakademiens Tidskrift, no. 1, 2026, pp. 52–75. Full text.

New publication: Fältövningshandboken: Att planera och leda en fältövning

By

On 15 March 2026

In Land Warfare, Professional Military Education (PME), Publication, Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, Wargames

I am pleased to share our new updated and expanded staff ride handbook, Fältövningshandboken: Att planera och leda en fältövning (2026, in Swedish), co-authored with Major Jonas Björkqvist and Major Patrik Wiklund.

The handbook explores field exercises as a central pedagogical tool in officer education. It brings together historical perspective, pedagogy, planning, and execution, and is structured in four modular parts covering:

  1. the field exercise as a method and learning tool,
  2. pedagogical design and constructive alignment,
  3. preparation and planning, and
  4. execution, including hybrid formats and the integration of wargaming.

The book is intended as a practical guide for planning and leading field exercises in professional military education, and for strengthening the link between educational objectives, historical cases, and applied military learning.

Availible as a pdf here: https://doi.org/10.62061/mcji4602/

Visiting Researcher from RSIS, Singapore 13-16 January, 2026

By

On 18 January 2026

In Hybrid Threats, Indo-Pacific, Professional Military Education (PME), Psycological Defence, Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, Visit

Dr Ong Weichong, National Security Studies Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, visited the Department of Systems Science for Defence and Security at the Swedish Defence University on 13–16 January 2026.

During his visit, Dr Ong engaged in discussions and collaboration with researchers from the Hybrid Threats Research Group, as well as within the project Building Resilience and Psychological Defence: Countering Hybrid Threats and Foreign Influence and Interference. Discussions were also held regarding future collaboration on staff rides and forthcoming courses.

The visit was characterised by insightful and constructive discussions, knowledge exchange, and meetings with Swedish stakeholders, contributing to strengthened international research collaboration in the field of security and defence.

Budapest Field Study: Urban Warfare, Military Innovation, and AI as a Training Tool

By

On 7 January 2026

In Professional Military Education (PME), Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, Urban Warfare

From 28–31 December 28–31, 2025, I conducted a field study in Budapest, focusing on urban warfare, military innovation, and the practical application of AI as a support tool for planning and conducting staff rides. The main historical anchor was the Siege of Budapest (1944 – 1945), using the city’s terrain and key sites to examine the realities of fighting in a major capital: constrained mobility, contested infrastructure, sustainment under pressure, and the constant tension between operational intent and street-level friction. I also briefly compared these lessons with the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 to highlight how rapidly urban dynamics can shift when legitimacy, information, and political control become central.

Alongside the historical cases, I conducted a pilot study on responsible ways of integrating AI into the planning and execution of staff rides—working with a range of sources including battlefield guides to structure the staff ride design (aims, stands, themes, and learning activities) and develop teaching tools that translate historical insights into focused questions and practical discussion prompts, while keeping human judgement and source criticism firmly in the loop. I also explored the possibility of using tailored “technique cards” at specific stands to cue observation, guide discussion, and support reflection during a staff ride.

PhD Defence: Re-thinking Operational Depth — Col Dr Anders Ekholm

By

On 8 November 2025

In Land Warfare, Teaching and Learning

On 7 November 2025, my doctoral student Col Dr Anders Ekholm defended his PhD thesis in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University: From the Linear to the Circular: Re-thinking Operational Depth. I had the privilege of serving as main supervisor, together with Docent Niklas Nilsson.

The faculty opponent was Professor Olivier Schmitt professor and head of research at the Institute for Military Operations at the Royal Danish Defence College.

The thesis is an exploratory, concept-developing compilation study on Operational Art, focusing on Depth. Using Israel as a fieldwork-oriented case study, it examines how limited physical depth can be managed effectively and challenges the assumption that a lack of space inevitably leads to military defeat. It also broadens depth to include a cognitive dimension and develops a circular model for generating depth by leveraging existing resources.

Publication
Ekholm, Anders (2025). From the Linear to the Circular: Re-thinking Operational Depth.
👉 Thesis (PDF): https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:2006788/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Keywords (comma-separated)
operational art, operational depth, cognitive depth, operational design, manoeuvre theory, Israel, military theory, war studies

New Publication: Staff Ride Handbook – The Battle of Ortona 1943

By

On 18 October 2025

In Professional Military Education (PME), Publication, Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, Urban Warfare, War Games, Wargames

By Major Jonas Björkqvist & Docent Dr Mikael Weissmann
Swedish Defence University Report Series 2025:6
DOWNLOAD | Open Access

This new handbook presents a comprehensive framework for conducting staff rides and field exercises on the Battle of Ortona (1943)—a historical case offering vital lessons for modern urban warfare. Combining history, wargaming, and pedagogy, it introduces a hybrid model linking tactical and operational insights from past battles with today’s and tomorrow’s conflicts.

Designed for Professional Military Education (PME), it provides practical guidance, thematic modules, and an integrated card-driven wargame to strengthen decision-making and leadership in complex urban operations.

Read the publication (Open Access): FULL TEXT

New Article Published: Staff Rides in Professional Military Education

By

On 9 March 2025

In Professional Military Education (PME), Publication, Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, War Games, Wargames

A new article, co-authored with Major Jonas Björkqvist of the Swedish Defence University, has been published in Contemporary Military Challenges.
🔹 Title: Staff Rides in Professional Military Education: Fusing History, the Modern Battlefield, and the Battlefield of the Future
🔹 Journal: Contemporary Military Challenges
🔹 Keywords: Staff rides, war games, professional military education, battlefield study


Abstract
This article examines the critical role of staff rides in professional military education (PME), emphasizing their ability to bridge historical military events with modern and future operational realities. It introduces a structured hybrid staff ride model that ensures relevance for today’s military leaders.
Key Insights from the Study:
✔️ The Hybrid Model – A structured approach balancing historical analysis with contemporary and future operational demands.
✔️ Pedagogical Planning Model – A framework for designing staff rides that ensures learning objectives are aligned with practical field activities.
✔️ Integration of War Games – A fully merged model combining staff rides and war games to enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills.
✔️ Historical Personas for Deeper Engagement – Assigning historical figures to participants, helping them immerse themselves in battlefield decision-making.
✔️ Comparison of Staff Ride Models – A review of international approaches, providing valuable insights for PME institutions worldwide.
These insights reinforce staff rides as essential tools for developing critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills in military education.
📖 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.2478/cmc-2024-0028

Affiliated with the Swedish Defence University’s Centre for Wargaming

By

On 15 December 2024

In Land Warfare, Professional Military Education (PME), Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, War Games, Wargames

As of 1 December, I am pleased to share that I have become an Affiliated Researcher with the Swedish Defence University Centre for Wargaming (CWG). The CWG is dedicated to advancing wargaming-based education, research, and methodology, providing valuable support and expertise to both the academic community and the broader security sector. I look forward to contributing to their efforts and engaging with colleagues and partners in this field.

More information on the centre can be found here: https://www.fhs.se/en/swedish-defence-university/collaboration/specialized-centres/center-for-wargaming.html

New Publication: Guide to Practical Examination of Practical Learning Activities in PME

By

On 14 September 2024

In Professional Military Education (PME), Publication, Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning

I am pleased to share a recent publication I authored: Guide to Practical Examination of Practical Elements: Constructive Alignment in Officer Education.

This guide introduces a model that integrates learning objectives with practical activities and assessments in the training of officer cadets and senior officers within higher education. Its purpose is to demonstrate how constructive alignment can be applied in the practical teaching and assessment of cadets and officers, ensuring compliance with the standards of higher education examination while linking educational objectives, pedagogical activities, and evaluation methods. This approach enables the customization of practical assessments to reflect military professions’ dynamic and practical nature.

The book provides detailed models and examples, ranging from wargames to field exercises, making it an invaluable resource for those involved in officer education and military training.

Key topics include:

  • Constructive alignment in military education
  • Practical assessments for cadets and officers
  • Wargaming and scenario-based learning
  • Field exercises as educational tools

To learn more or access the guide, visit https://doi.org/10.62061/slep1008.

Presentation on War Games and Staff Rides in PME at the ISMS Annual Conference 2024

By

On 9 September 2024

In Conference, Professional Military Education (PME), Staff Ride, Staff Ride, Teaching and Learning, Urban Warfare, War Games

From 10-12 September, the Swedish Defence University is hosting the International Society of Military Sciences (ISMS) Annual Conference 2024, with the theme “Scaling up, Learning Lessons, Ensuring Quality.”

I am excited to present Major Jonas Björkqvist and my own on “From the Battlefield to Classroom: Incorporating War Games and Staff Rides in Professional Military Education (PME) to Enhance Urban Combat Preparedness.“

This presentation focuses on integrating war games and staff rides into military education, both in general and in relation to improving preparedness for urban combat scenarios. I am looking forward to engaging with fellow experts and sharing innovative ideas during the conference.

Page 1 of 3

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén