1. What is War

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. “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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

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

19. “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

20. 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

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

22. Enduring Truth #3
War is a clash of
opposing wills

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