War and the American Military

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 Reality of Warfare

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 Professional Responsibility

Enduring Truths of War Definition of War Basic Themes of War Viewpoints on War Factors Dominating War Elements of WarOverview

An instrument of national policy A complex and chaotic human endeavor A clash of opposing wills Enduring Truths 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 Definition of War

War is an instrument of national policy Enduring Truth #1

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 Basic Themes of 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 National Policy through War

Wage war in a civilized manner – Law of Armed Conflict – Geneva & Hague Conventions – Rules of Engagement (ROEs) Leave the combat zone better than when we entered it Failure leads to unstable peace! Sir Liddel Hart Better State of Peace

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

Adolf Hitler 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 WWIIRealism

Wars aren’t merely human affairs: – Divine instruments of judgment – Authorized by God – God responsible for outcome Cosmic battle between Good and Evil Holy War

Mahatma Gandhi “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 resortPacifism

St. Thomas Aquinas 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 Bottom line: Fight for a just cause and employ just means Just War Theory

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

Factors Dominating War Fog Friction Chance

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 1815Fog

“Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.” ~ ClausewitzFriction 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!

Col Stauffenberg Assassination attempt on Hitler Sinking of USS IndianapolisChance Plain dumb luck and fortune.

Enduring Truth #3 War is clash of opposing wills

Elements of War Participants Motives Objectives Scope of War Level of Violence Means Used Asymmetry

Participants State vs. State – Iraq-Iran War Groups within a State – Former Republic of Yugoslavia Non-State entities – IRA, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, etc.

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 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 (cont’d) 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