Total Defense and War Before the War

Integrating military, economic, informational, and social dimensions to prevent escalation and win conflicts before they erupt

The contemporary strategic environment requires a radical rethinking of the concept of defense. Security can no longer be imagined as the mere sum of conventional military capabilities, to be activated only at the moment of armed aggression. The experience of recent decades shows that war does not break out suddenly but matures over time, through a series of below-threshold actions, economic pressures, disinformation campaigns, and cognitive manipulations that gradually erode the resilience of societies. Faced with this reality, a total defense approach becomes essential, involving military, economic, technological, social, and informational dimensions. Total defense means recognizing that every sector of collective life can become a target and, consequently, every sector must be integrated into the strategy of protection and deterrence.