Kuala Lampur, July 3 -- The continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has evolved into far more than a territorial dispute over borders, sovereignty or historical identity. It has become a contest of intelligence gathering, cyber operations, drone warfare, satellite reconnaissance and strategic surveillance on a scale not witnessed in Europe since the Cold War.

Reports of extensive Russian monitoring of Nato activities, combined with continuing attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, should remind Southeast Asia of a simple but enduring truth: once war begins, it rarely remains confined to the battlefield.

Wars expand geographically, technologically and psychologically.

The conflict in Eastern Europe demonstrates that modern w...