Is it possible to wage war using culture? According to Polish scholars Robert Boroch and Anna Korzeniowska-Bihun, not only is it possible—it’s already happening. In their article Preface to a special issue of Wiedza Obronna , the authors introduce a new paradigm of military anthropology. While the field itself dates back to ancient times, it has recently evolved into a powerful lens for understanding modern hybrid warfare. Drawing on both Russian and American approaches, Boroch and Korzeniowska-Bihun argue that today’s battles are no longer fought solely with weapons. They’re also fought with symbols, stories, and traditions. Culture, once viewed as a passive set of behaviors, is now a strategic resource. Russian war doctrine—while not explicitly defining this shift—has embraced cultural production (literature, film, theatre, art) as a way to influence public opinion and reshape geopolitical narratives. This isn’t new, but the scale and precision with which it’s being done are unpre...