7 Seconds to Die

A Military Analysis of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and the Future of Warfighting

By: John Antal, Alexander Kott - foreword

Narrated by: Jim Seybert

The first full analysis of the second Nagorno-Karabakh war—the first war in history won primarily by unmanned systems.

The second Nagorno-Karabakh war—fought between Armenia and Azerbaijan between September 24 and November 10, 2020—was the first war in history won primarily by unmanned systems.

This forty-four-day war resulted in a decisive military victory for Azerbaijan. Armenia was outfought, outnumbered, and outspent and lost even though they controlled the high ground in a mountainous region that favored traditional defense. Azerbaijan's alliance with Turkey, and close technological support from Israel, strategically isolated Armenia. In addition, Turkey's posturing influenced the Russians not to intervene to support Armenia. That Azerbaijan attacked Armenia during the pandemic was an additional factor. The fact that Azerbaijan won the war is not extraordinary, considering the correlation of forces arrayed against Armenia.

What is exceptional is that this was the first modern war primarily decided by unmanned weapons. In this war the Turkish-made BAYRAKTAR TB2 Unmanned Air Combat Vehicle (UCAV) and the Israeli-made HAROP Loitering Munition (LM) dominated the fighting and provided Azerbaijan with a war-winning advantage.

©2022 John Antal (P)2022 Tantor

The military jargon and acronyms

Short section on the war but mostly a description of weapons, past, present and future and their uses in modern warfare.

A solid account

Although dry at times the account of the second Nagorno-karabkh war is case study that must be read for all current and future military leaders.

Military tactic summary for the 2nd Azerbijan and Armenia conflict

The background for the conflct and military lessons were informative. Turkey won the war for Azerbijan and interfered as a NATO member without consequence. Russia was impotent based on this recap.

This is a well thought out and researched book

I enjoyed this book. It is relevant and current as of this review. It is an interesting look at a very complex conflict. Well researched and well laid out.

mediocre

thus wasn't terribly insightful or useful. the idea that drone warfare and ai enabled kill webs is not new

the narrows pronunciation of basic terms like iads or ooda loops was sadly comical