Modern War #27: Crisis in the Mid-East – Kaliningrad & Mosul is a dual-scenario modern conflict wargame that explores both historical and hypothetical 21st-century battlefields. Players take command of opposing military forces in two distinct yet thematically linked games—Kaliningrad and Mosul—each highlighting different forms of modern warfare, from high-intensity mechanized engagements to urban counter-insurgency operations. Both games share a core rules system that models the realities of modern combined-arms combat while including scenario-specific instructions to capture each theatre’s unique challenges and conditions.

In Kaliningrad, players enter a tense hypothetical conflict between NATO and Russian forces in the strategically vital Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. Amid rising political tensions, open warfare breaks out as both sides vie for control of key ports, airbases, and communication lines. The NATO player must manage rapid deployment and advanced technology under political and logistical constraints, while the Russian player defends its isolated forward base, leveraging local superiority and time to offset the opponent’s precision and coordination. The scenario reflects the fragile balance between deterrence, escalation, and modern hybrid warfare in Eastern Europe.

The Mosul scenario shifts focus to the gritty, urban battlegrounds of Iraq, depicting the intense struggle between ISIS forces and a Coalition of Iraqi and international troops. Representing one of the fiercest battles of the Iraq War, players must contend with the brutal realities of urban combat—street-by-street fighting, asymmetric tactics, and the ever-present risk of civilian casualties. The Coalition player must clear sectors efficiently while coordinating airpower, logistics, and morale, whereas ISIS relies on ambushes, concealment, and mobility to prolong the conflict and inflict heavy losses. This scenario highlights the human and tactical complexities of fighting insurgencies in densely populated areas.

Gameplay across both scenarios emphasizes command control, action economy, and technological superiority. Each game turn represents a few hours to a day of operations, and units range from companies to brigades, including mechanized forces, airpower, and irregular troops. Players use shared core mechanics supported by unique rules for each scenario, integrating operational tempo, logistics, and event-driven developments to simulate the unpredictable nature of modern warfare. Airpower, electronic warfare, and precision strikes all play key roles, reflecting the shift from conventional massed battles to dynamic, multi-domain engagements.

The Kaliningrad game focuses on strategic mobility, supply lines, and technological parity, where modern armies contest control over Europe’s northeastern frontier. The Mosul game instead challenges players with urban attrition and asymmetry, where limited resources and human terrain shape every move. Together, the two offer contrasting perspectives on the modern battlefield—one dominated by advanced mechanized warfare, the other by irregular insurgency—making this issue a compelling study in contemporary military conflict.

The game includes one 22” x 34” full-colour operational map and 280 die-cut counters representing NATO, Russian, Coalition, and ISIS forces, along with a comprehensive rulebook covering both scenarios. Players will find a balance of realism and accessibility, as well as replayability through alternative strategies and outcomes. Crisis in the Mid-East – Kaliningrad & Mosul is an ideal choice for wargamers and military history enthusiasts interested in the political, tactical, and technological dimensions of 21st-century warfare.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s leading source for historical and modern conflict wargames. Includes price-match guarantee and fast domestic shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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