What is War

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

Overview Definition The Nature of War Basic Themes of War Viewpoints on War Categories and Levels of War Factors that Dominate War

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

Clausewitz: Enduring Truths War is an instrument of policy. War is a complex and chaotic human endeavor. War is a clash of opposing wills.

War is an instrument of policy Enduring Truth #1 War is an instrument of policy

Enduring Truth #1 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

“POLICY” “VIOLENCE” War: Two Basic Themes Policy and violence are intertwined War is policy: fighting battles instead of writing notes War is the continuation of politics with other means “POLICY” “VIOLENCE” The MILITARY Side The POLITICAL Side

Viewpoints on War Realism Holy War Pacifism Just War Theory (JWT)

Realism Wars are clashes of power and interest Focuses on military necessity to achieve victory in most expeditious manner All methods can or should be used to achieve victory: Adolf Hitler

Holy War Wars aren’t merely human affairs: Divine instruments of judgment Authorized by God God responsible for outcome Battle between Good and Evil Our enemies are God’s enemies

Pacifism War is immoral Opposes war as a means of settling disputes Advocates use of arbitration, surrender, or even migration Avoidance of war at all costs “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind” - Mahatma Gandhi

Just War Theory Killing is morally unacceptable but… War is morally justified under certain conditions…must define actions that are permissible Focuses on: Protection of non-combatants Wage war by clearly defined rules Military targets not civilian targets Bottom line: Fight for a just cause and employ just means

Political Objective… a Better State of Peace “Civilized Manner of War” Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) The Hague and Geneva Conventions Rules of Engagement (ROEs) Failure leads to unstable peace! Leave combat zone better than when we entered it

Categories of War Traditional Warfare: Force-on-force military operations using conventional capabilities. Irregular Warfare: Struggle for influence over relevant populations which favors indirect and asymmetric approaches

Levels of War Strategic Operational Tactical Addresses issues of WHY and WITH WHAT we will fight and WHY the enemy fights against us Operational Determines WHAT we will affect, with WHAT courses of action, in WHAT order, for WHAT duration, and with WHAT RESOURCES Tactical Deals with HOW we fight

Clausewitz: Enduring Truth #2 War is a complex and chaotic human endeavor

Factors Dominating War Fog Friction Chance Images: Napoleonic War re-enactment, the USS Indianapolis, and Coalition forces in a sandstorm in Iraq

“Fog of War” 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, 1815

Friction of War Murphy’s Law at its worst! Bombs miss their target Enemies don’t act as expected Doctrine, leadership, organization and training can lessen their effects 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

Sinking of USS Indianapolis “Chance” in War Plain “dumb luck” and fortune. Operation “Valkyrie” Sinking of USS Indianapolis Background: USS Indianapolis @ Pearl Harbor, circa 1937

Enduring Truth #3 War is a clash of opposing wills

Summary Definition The Nature of War Basic Themes of War Viewpoints on War Categories and Levels of War Factors that Dominate War