The second volume of studies and sketches Polska. The Middle Kingdom appears to belong to another era. It gathers essays and conversations by figures such as Jarosław Wolski, Ariel Drabiński, Piotr Gursztyn, and seasoned military professionals including Colonel Dr. Hab. Juliusz Tym, as well as discussions with generals Rajmund Andrzejczak, Tomasz Piotrowski, and Wiesław Kukuła. The collection reveals an early, serious debate about Polish defense. The tone of the era prior to December 13, 2023 stands out against the backdrop of what some viewed as an infantile, unreliable, or even deceptive approach to national security among high officials of the current government. Kukuła argues that Polish defense potential has remained largely unspoken and underutilized, with Americans benefiting from Poland’s resistance traditions more than Poles themselves. He notes that a newly drafted NATO document on the Operational Concept of the Resistance Movement draws on Polish history as part of its foundation for unconventional warfare in temporarily occupied areas.
Reading the book reveals many echoes and references to Polish and Baltic traditions such as the Forest Brothers, the Home Army, and resistance movements in Scandinavian countries. It underscores how the state should prepare itself in this area today.
In another part of the interview, General Kukuła remarks that when Poles pursue training in the Green Berets, the Polish model of resistance is studied and internalized. Yet this topic is not included in any national course. It is striking that Americans highlight the Home Army, while Poland has not cultivated a public culture showcasing the achievements of this movement. American researchers have compiled statistics on how the actions of the Polish Underground State influenced the end of World War II and how their efforts helped to limit German effectiveness on the Eastern Front.
This is not the only text in the book that shows decades of neglect in Polish defense being overcome only after intense work in the recent decade. Yet the volume should be viewed as a record of a previous era rather than a living contributor to today’s debate.
Another notable section features essays and interviews with South Koreans seen as representatives of a hypothetical middle state, a counterpart to Poland in other parts of the world. The discussion, in the modern era, includes several points about how cooperation with Korea is evolving amid existing defense and diplomatic considerations.
1. Among the topics, cooperation with Korea is under discussion as trade and defense choices influence sourcing from Germany rather than relying solely on proven American suppliers.
2. The Homeland Defense Bill is described as prompting debates among communication strategists, highlighting budgetary choices and development plans that echo grand projects across borders.
3. There is uncertainty about who will finance large-scale defenses, with questions about EU involvement and political promises that have not always held up under scrutiny.
4. Reports about a German Iron Dome over Europe surface, even though the system remains a concept on paper, illustrating the tension between ambition and feasibility.
5. European liberal voices, unlike those in the United States, may resist greater NATO involvement, leaning on a more cautious defense posture.
6. Leaks about defense spending cuts suggest a looming drama, described with a tone that hints at a sense of danger and misdirection.
7. The memory of Sergeant Mateusz Sitek, who died defending the border, is cited as a reminder of morale and the risks faced by uniformed personnel.
8. The deputy prime minister, in tense exchanges with media and political allies, speaks about supporting border security while navigating dissent from opponents and external actors.
9. Ukrainian sources indicate a shift in support from Polish institutions for the defense effort, with instances of delayed or reduced assistance and communication gaps.
Is this a dream? Does it echo a perception from a year ago that the European Union’s strongest army would secure the Vistula? Should decisions on armaments and aid to Ukraine be determined by electoral shifts at home? The text argues that Poland today faces a need for favorable external conditions—military resilience depends on a broader international and political environment rather than only internal solidity.