In many ways, the invasion of Ukraine is a head scratcher — the how, that is, not the why.

Wars of naked aggression are products of the industrial age; the idea of armies, even those of major powers, marching across frontiers is so 20th century. Conflict today is supposed to be subtle, sophisticated and cyber.

And yet, here we are. Russia has sent tens of thousands of troops into a sovereign country to wage a bloody conflict. Nevertheless, this war validates my belief that there is a new national security model. Traditional concerns persist but there is a new range of considerations for policymakers to weigh as they develop 21st century national security strategies. Understanding connectivity — the threats now posed by the great enabler of globalization — is the key to security today.