Insights into Warfare and Military Operations
Explore the profound realities and enduring truths of warfare as depicted through various perspectives and quotes. From the definition of war to the intertwining of politics and violence, delve into the complexities of waging war and the professional responsibility associated with it. Understand war as an instrument of national policy and the importance of achieving political objectives for a better state of peace.
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Presentation Transcript
War and the American Military
Reality of Warfare War will happen At the worst possible time In the worst possible place With the worst possible enemy YOUR job is to wage war better than the enemy
Professional Responsibility Learn HOW we wage war in ALL of its forms against ANY/ALL of our enemies Being a warrior is not an AFSC it s a condition of the heart!!! Gen Jumper
Overview Enduring Truths of War Definition of War Basic Themes of War Viewpoints on War Factors Dominating War Elements of War
Enduring Truths of War An instrument of national policy A complex and chaotic human endeavor A clash of opposing wills
Definition of War War is nothing but a duel on an extensive scale Each strives by physical force to compel the other to submit to his will War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to do our will. ~ Carl von Clausewitz
Enduring Truth #1 War is an instrument of national policy
Basic Themes of War Politics and violence are intertwined War is policy that fights battles instead of writing notes War is the continuation of politics with the addition of other means
National Policy through War War is a last resort of policy We exhaust diplomatic efforts! When military engages, the political process doesn t stop Bottom line: Success in war can only be measured by whether political objectives are achieved
Better State of Peace Wage war in a civilized manner Law of Armed Conflict Geneva & Hague Conventions Rules of Engagement (ROEs) Sir Liddel Hart Leave the combat zone better than when we entered it Failure leads to unstable peace!
Viewpoints on War Realism Holy War Pacifism Just War Theory (JWT)
Realism Wars are clashes of power and interest Moral constraints should never be put above a nation s self-interest Focuses on military necessity, where all methods can or should be used to achieve victory: Burning of Atlanta in Civil War Bombing civilian centers in WWII Adolf Hitler
Holy War Wars aren t merely human affairs: Divine instruments of judgment Authorized by God God responsible for outcome Cosmic battle between Good and Evil
Pacifism Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Opposes war as a means of settling disputes and advocates use of arbitration, surrender, or even migration Spectrum ranges: Avoidance of war at all costs War only as a last resort Mahatma Gandhi
Just War Theory Killing is morally unacceptable Determine when war is morally justified and define actions that are permissible Focuses on: Protection of non-combatants Wage war by clearly defined rules St. Thomas Aquinas Bottom line: Fight for a just cause and employ just means
Enduring Truth #2 War is a complex and chaotic human endeavor
Factors Dominating War Fog Friction Chance
Fog Difficulty to see and understand what s happening in battle Once a literal fog Now more figuratively: Too much happening Misinformation Conflicting information Overwhelmed with too much info Battle of Waterloo, June 1815
Friction Murphy s Law at its worst! Troops are lost Bombs miss their target Enemies don t act as expected Friction is that which seems easy in war planning made difficult in reality! Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. ~ Clausewitz
Chance Plain dumb luck and fortune. Assassination attempt on Hitler Sinking of USS Indianapolis Adolf Hitler Claus von Stauffenberg Col Stauffenberg
Enduring Truth #3 War is clash of opposing wills
Elements of War Participants Motives Objectives Scope of War Level of Violence Means Used Asymmetry Refugee camp in Zaire, 1994 Soldiers_Western_Wall_1967 Wreckage of USS Maine, 1898
Participants 300px-Jang State vs. State Iraq-Iran War Groups within a State Former Republic of Yugoslavia Non-State entities IRA, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, etc. Slobodan Milo evi Iranian soldiers with gas masks.
Motives Secular ideology Communist vs. Capitalist Ethnic/tribal hatred Tutsis vs. Hutus Religion Crusade, jihad, etc. Territory German conquest in WWII Economic gain Hitler s rise to power Revenge Spanish-American War Preemptive 6-Day War of 1967 Usually a mixture of some or all the above!
Objectives Child survivors of the Holocaust filmed during the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by the Red Army. January, 1945 Total: Political overthrow and/or extermination of your enemy (ethnic cleansing and/or genocide) Limited: Concessions
Scope of War Global WWI and WWII Regional Six Day War Local Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, etc.
Levels of Violence Total (Unlimited) War Complete mobilization, both of forces and national resources (e.g., WWII) Limited Restrain forces being used
Means Employed Weapons of Mass Destruction CBRNE Conventional Guerilla/Urban warfare Irregular forces vs. Regular forces Urban warfare brings its own unique challenges Terrorism Theme of modern warfare!
Asymmetry Adversaries NOT fighting the SAME war Different motives, objectives, means, etc. Capitalize on these differences GWOT exemplifies this unevenness concept . Consider: Are the participants the same? Do we employ the same means? Are our motives the same?
Asymmetry (contd) Poses very real threat to US interests Consider 9/11 & Al Qaeda Hijacked an AF = 75% success ratio! Asymmetric warfare requires us to adapt our doctrine to counter this new threat Adapt our own asymmetric capabilities Capitalize on strengths our enemy can t adapt to Exploit our advantages from asymmetry
Summary Enduring Truths of War Definition of War Basic Themes of War Viewpoints on War Factors Dominating War Elements of War
