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Operational Art of Ancient Israel: A Campaign Analysis of Israel's Conquest of Canaan in the 13th Century BCE
From the Abstract: "Israel's conquest of Canaan provides an example of how smaller military forces can overcome numerical and technological disadvantages in conventional warfare through the application of operational art. This military conquest resembles contemporary warfare in broad concepts such as offensive and defensive operations, multinational alliance and coalition warfare, and civilian-military relations. Israel's success depended on multiple factors, the most significant being the generalship of its national leader and military commander, Joshua. Campaign analysis through the lens of operational design elements revealed that Joshua's initial operations were linked in time, space, and purpose to set the Israelites in a position of advantage. Joshua created periods of local superiority by massing his forces and isolating elements of the Canaanite armies along single lines of operation. Using lines of effort, Joshua linked subsequent operations to his campaign by purpose only, which enabled him to exercise operational patience as he waited for the optimal conditions for battle. Periodic strategic and operational pauses ensured sufficient operational reach, and popular support enabled him to conduct a patient war effort. This reveals an ancient Israeli way of war that has implications to current U.S. military employment of operational art, which in some ways, challenges conventional wisdom."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Gordy, George R., IV
2017-09-06
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What Capability Gaps Would a Multi-Component Civil Affairs Organization Address Between Reserve Component and Active Duty?
From the Abstract: "This thesis is a review and comparison of the approaches taken during World War II and Operation Iraqi Freedom regarding Civil Affairs and Military Governance to determine if multicomponent units could resolve some of the current capability gaps. This thesis conducts a literature review of relevant military doctrine, military scholar research, and civilian research and case studies to identify capability gaps between Reserve and Active Component Civil Affairs. The capability gaps identified are leadership, integration, and Functional Specialty. The study utilizes a qualitative research method of textual analysis to examine how the military addressed Active and Reserve Component Civil Affairs and Functional Specialist capability gaps during World War II and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The research recommends affordable, feasible, and effective solutions to address the capability gaps based on lessons learned from World War II and Operation Iraqi Freedom."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Childress, Raymond E.
2018-06-15
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Hospital Viability During a Pandemic Influenza Outbreak
"In the past 8 years since September 11, many improvements have been made to the National response capabilities; however, the ―all hazards�- approach is still inadequate to respond to a moderate pandemic outbreak. Shortcomings of our fragile healthcare framework combined with the prolonged duration of a pandemic make it difficult to prepare for such a catastrophic disaster. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors ensuring hospital viability during a pandemic influenza outbreak. To accomplish this, the study employed a comparative case study methodology utilizing four prominent emergency management events: 1918, Spanish flu (H1N1); 2003, SARS outbreak; 2005, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2009, Swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, for the purpose of finding common measures enabling a hospital to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from a pandemic. After reviewing the case study literature, 117 viability measures were identified. Furthermore, the concepts from the literature review coupled with the case study results led to discovery of seven hospital viability measures that will assist in mitigating a moderate pandemic, which are: maintaining a hospital's critical axis, staffing, security, logistics, surge capacity, public affairs, and emergency operations planning. Focusing preparedness efforts in these areas will provide protection from the next pandemic."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Blackwell, Jeffrey K.
2009-06-12
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Disease Surveillance Systems
From the thesis abstract: "Recent advances in information and communication technologies have made the development and operation of complex disease surveillance systems technically feasible, and many systems have been proposed to interpret diverse data sources for health-related signals. Implementing these systems for daily use and efficiently interpreting their output, however, remains a technical challenge. This thesis presents a method for understanding disease surveillance systems structurally, examines four existing systems, and discusses the implications of developing such systems. The discussion is followed by two papers. The first paper describes the design of a national outbreak detection system for daily disease surveillance. It is currently in use at the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control. [...] The second paper discusses methodological issues in computational epidemiology, and presents the lessons learned from a software development project in which a spatially explicit micro-meso-macro model for the entire Swedish population was built based on registry data."
Kungl. Tekniska högskolan
Cakici, Baki
2011
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Sixth Military-Revolution: Warfare in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
From the Thesis Abstract: "Historians MacGregor Knox and Williamson Murray originally suggested only five military-revolutions had occurred in the history of the western way of war. However, in 2017 Murray published 'America and the Future of War' and said a sixth military-revolution was unfolding in the modern era and it was mostly influenced by rampant technological change. He went on to suggest that society was only in the nascent stages of understanding the 6th MR [military-revolution] and understanding what it might mean for present-day militaries. Thus, the researcher's aim in this thesis was to expand on Murray's basic description of the 6th MR by exploring the root causes of change in the first five military-revolutions in order to formulate an argument for what was driving change in the 6th MR. After the historical precedents for revolutionary changes to war were considered, the researcher used the lessons gleaned from that analysis to examine how technology and other factors were influencing the character of war in the modern era. Ultimately, the author's conclusions presented in this thesis offer an expanded explanation of the 6th MR and considers the implications for the present-day U.S. Military."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Champion, Jerry W., II
2019-06-14
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Public-Private Partnerships: Critical to Combatting the Next Pandemic Influenza in the State of Kansas
From the thesis abstract: "The Pandemic Influenza outbreak that occurred in 1918 killed over 50 million people world-wide and was responsible for more deaths than our first two world wars combined. Unlike most threats to our national security, Pandemic Influenza does not have a political or ideological motive, does not distinguish between social or economic class, nor does it require special environmental conditions to attack. According to experts across the country and throughout the world, it is only a matter of time before the next Pandemic strikes. Over 85 percent of our nation's entire critical infrastructure belongs to the private sector. As equal stakeholders in the fight against the next Pandemic, it seems obvious that our Federal, State and local governments should solicit more support from the private sector to plan, mitigate, and respond to Pandemic Influenza. This study addresses how the Federal, State (Kansas) and local governments can better solicit the support of private sector industries in support of Pandemic Influenza. This thesis will delve into the Federal, State and local plans and policies to expose capability gaps that could be filled by private sector industries. This study will address what types of industries could be enlisted to provide desperately needed resources in the event of an outbreak. Finally, this research will look at the types of incentives or instruments of power the Federal, State and local governments could utilize to better facilitate public-private partnerships."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Gilbert, George O., Jr.
2011-06-10
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Torture: A Feasible Means for National Security Strategy
From the thesis abstract: "As a part of the response to the Al Qaida attacks on 11 September 2001, the United States found itself having to answer many difficult questions regarding its action in the Global War on Terrorism. One of the most contentious was the use of torture against captured enemy fighters. The United States, a strong proponent for humanitarian law, soon found itself criticized for its treatment of detainees. As a result, commentators and politicians have had endless debates about interrogation techniques and the legal applicability of international law and treaties to a nonstate enemy. The central research question derived from these issues is: Is torture a viable tool for use in achieving goals as outlined in the 2006 National Security Strategy? Interrogational torture was examined from the following standpoints: legal, effectiveness, and ethical. Results showed that torture is wrong. The next step applied the analytical results against the ethical decision-making triangle and also concluded that from the three standpoints torture was wrong and not a feasible means of achieving the United States' national security objectives."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Stanford, Nicole J.
2007-06-15
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Red Scourge Returns: The Strategic Challenge of Maoist Insurgency in India and South Asia
From the thesis abstract: "With the US and other powers focused on the struggle against Islamic terrorism and insurgency, the effects of globalization have swelled the ranks of Maoist insurgents in India and the South Asia. The response of some marginalized peoples in these countries, having been abandoned by their national socio-economic and political systems, is to look to the alternative system provided by Maoist insurgents who are creating a counter-state to address societal grievances. A 'Red Corridor' now exists in South Asia from Nepal to Sri Lanka and creation of base areas in India is running unchecked. A network of Maoist parties are mobilizing in South Asia and growing rapidly. India is hard pressed to combat this imminent threat and groping blindly for solutions. The Maoists intend to attack India's high tech and export sectors thwarting foreign investment and threatening to bring India's economic and political progress to a halt. The burgeoning US-Indian economic and strategic relationship is threatened by India's Maoist menace. The US is ill-equipped to deal with Maoist insurgency as insurgency studies and counterinsurgency strategies have focused on insurgent approaches from Iraq and Afghanistan. They have largely discounted the Maoist strategic approach as irrelevant and dated yet it is rampaging unchecked in South Asia. This paper demonstrates the looming transnational threat posed to the states of South Asia by Maoist insurgency and provides recommendations to stem its rapid spread."
Army War College (U.S.)
Florig, William R.
2008-05-09
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Viva China...A Tiger by the Tail
From the thesis abstract: "The history of the Americas community; North, Central, and South, is a contradiction of the stated desire for a mutually beneficial relationship, but a reality that has seen exploitation, insensitivity, and injustice. Today relations between the U.S. and Latin American are arguably at a low ebb. Preoccupied with the Global War on Terror, little attention has been paid to our southern neighbors. This attention vacuum is being filled by other interested parties with their own political and economic agendas. A current major player in Latin America is China whose influence is growing economically and politically as they continue to expand trade agreements and political ties throughout the region. China brings economic incentives to the table without the demands for a democratic form of government, human rights guarantees, or involvement with private corporations bent on making a quick profit. But is this good for the U.S., and as importantly, is it a good thing for the governments and people of Latin America? There is a disparity of opinions on the motivations, implications, and consequences of China's growing influence in Latin America, but the reality is they are here and their influence, both hard and soft, is growing."
Army War College (U.S.)
Van Ohlen, Andrew J.
2008-03-25
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Splicing the Reserve Component Stovepipe - Joint Reserve Command
From the thesis abstract: "Reliance upon the Reserve Components (RC) is greater now than at any time since the Second World War. RC assets serve as key force providers meeting both expeditionary and domestic mission needs as part of the operational force prosecuting the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Less recognized is the increasing role the RC forces play in meeting strategic or operational requirements where authorized Service force structure is not available, becoming Joint forces to meet joint needs. Such uses include meeting in-lieu-of mission requirements, augmenting depleted operational or strategic assets, and providing for requirements not previously anticipated. Over 8,000 individual Reservists from across the services were mobilized and deployed to meet critical joint needs during Fiscal Year 2007 (FY-07) alone. Using RC assets in this way presents leadership and organizational challenges not reflected in the traditional "stovepipe" relationships between the Services and their respective reserve components. This essay argues that meeting current Joint needs for development of policy and doctrine for the mobilization, training and deployment of RC forces to meet Joint requirements can be best met by development of a 'joint reserve command' to get the best benefits of the unique war-fighting capabilities /enablers found (established) within the service RCs."
Army War College (U.S.)
Summers, Clark H.
2008-03-18
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New Tool of Terrorism -- Airliners
From the thesis abstract: "Since last September terrorism has become our most dangerous enemy. The suicidal criminals have discovered a unique way of getting the world's attention. In this research paper I analyze the new tool of terrorism, hijacking airliners and using them as guided missiles. This paper presents the background and the reason for terrorist hijacks of commercial airplanes, and assesses possible terrorists' motivation for such actions. I analyze the mistakes made in the last decade, which enabled the terrorists to complete their mission in the horrible method they used on September 11, 2001. I believe that we can eliminate this kind of catastrophe by putting more emphasis on improving intelligence and gathering more information about terrorist groups. We also need to rethink and work out a new security system, and change many rules both in airport security and flying security for commercial airliners. In this paper I make some proposals concerning security issues, and explain where we should place more emphasis to protect ourselves and decrease the threat."
Air University (U.S.). Air Command and Staff College
Illes, Gabor
2002-04
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Theater Applications of the Future Bomber Force
From the thesis abstract: "The author examines the advantages and disadvantages for the operational commander of using the future bomber force in conventional and contingency scenarios. The inherent strategic bomber capabilities of range, payload, and flexibility are discussed. The technological advances in stealth and advanced munitions are examined, as are USAF [United States Air Force] plans for the future bomber force incorporating these technologies. The author contends the combination of inherent bomber characteristics with the technologies of stealth and advanced munitions creates a revolution in the commander's power projection capabilities. The author examines the application of force in three conventional scenarios: counter-terrorism, peacetime contingency, and major regional conflict. One finding is the improved capabilities facilitates the use of the military option for decision makers; this may preclude adequate consideration of diplomatic, economic, and political options. The author concludes that the commander can apply the bomber force across the spectrum of conflict; that the force's ability to provide rapid initial response, precision, mass, and sustained firepower are useful in all three scenarios. The author contends the bomber force can free the commander of some forward basing constraints, allows the commander to retain the option of unilateral action, and provides the commander with a rapid response force option to show resolve or disrupt an adversary's plans. Recommendations for the theater commander include integration of bomber units into the planning process, ensuring targets are of sufficient value, and providing the intelligence network to exploit the rapid response capability."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Kowalski, James M.
1992-02-22
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U.S. Logistics Vulnerability: Major Regional Conflict with Iran
From the thesis abstract: "The United States has chosen to emphasize a power projection role for its military. This capability proved itself during Operation Desert Storm. However, Desert Storm also pointed out a significant weakness. To stop the U.S. military, an enemy need only interrupt the logistics chain. How well does the U.S. guard its logistic ability? This paper addresses the possibility that a dedicated, marginally capable opponent could do significant damage to the U.S. logistics system. This in turn could cause the U.S. to abandon or change national priorities."
Naval War College (U.S.). Joint Military Operations Department
Scala, Peter A.
1994-05-16
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Narcoterrorism - A Threat to the United States?
From the thesis abstract: "Today, we see the demise of communism, the hope for a 'new world order,' and the realization of peace in the world. A dark cloud pervades this state of euphoria. It is the result of the War On Drugs. The purpose of this paper is to show that narcoterrorism is a threat to the United States. Colombia is used as a focal point for the study due the significant role it plays in the American drug war. The paper considers the supply and demand side of the drug problem. It looks at the relationship between terrorism and insurgency. The paper defines narcoterrorism to be the use of terror by narcotraffickers to coerce or intimidate a sovereign government to obtain an objective or end result. It examines the interests of the U.S. at stake in the drug war as well as those Colombian interests that the drug war threatens. A part of this examination is to determine which are a vital interest to us and which are threatened."
Army War College (U.S.)
Webb, Patrick F.
1992-04-21
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Time for a Change: The Costs and Benefits of the U.S. Relationship with Israel
From the thesis abstract: "Containment evaporated as the foundation of American foreign policy with the end of the Cold War. Washington is searching for a replacement -- for a strategy which will serve American interests under current conditions of reduced threat and limited resources. Domestic affairs have taken precedence over foreign policy, the economy over defense. The government is pinching pennies -- and raising taxes -- to make up for quadrupling the national debt in a score of years. As we adjust to the straitened circumstances of the post-containment era, it is appropriate to reevaluate all aspects of our foreign policy, particularly those which are most costly. We need to ask whether past programs serve American interests, whether they produce benefits commensurate with their costs, and whether we can afford to maintain them in the future. This paper considers the costs and benefits of support for Israel from the perspective of American interests."
National War College (U.S.)
McLean, Martin
1993-04
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China's Energy Security: The Grand 'Hedging' Strategy
From the thesis abstract: "In the late 1970s, a group of reform minded Chinese, led by Deng Xiaoping, enacted a series of economic reforms that catapulted China into the global spotlight. The key to sustaining the dynamic growth is access to petroleum resources. The central question of this monograph is whether China's strategy is liberal-institutionalist or realist-mercantilist. Using a qualitative case study methodology that explores the dependent variable, energy security, using three independent variables, cost, reliability, and security, China's grand strategy is shown to be a hedging approach. The analysis consists of three case studies. The first case study shows that as the Chinese National Oil Companies grow in scale and experience, they are increasingly at odds with the central government's strategy. This conflict works at cross-purposes to the overall state-directed strategy. The second case study shows that in countries like Sudan, where China has extensive unilateral agreements, the strategy is clearly realist-mercantilist. The final case study shows that in areas like the maritime transit corridors, where China is reliant on outside actors for security, the strategy is liberal-institutionalism or free riding. Taken as a whole, the Chinese strategy for energy security is a combination of liberal-institutionalism, realist-mercantilism, and 'free riding,' tailored to fit the situation and to maximize opportunities that present themselves."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Lee, Stacey L.
2010-05-20
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NATO's Defense Capabilities Initiative: A Strategic Analysis
From the thesis abstract: "NATO's Defense Capabilities Initiative (DC I) is a program to ensure that the Alliance has conventional military forces that are designed and equipped for 21st Century missions. The Alliance launched the program to develop allied defensive capabilities in five areas. The areas identified for focus are: effective engagement; deployability and mobility; sustainability and logistics; survivability; and command, control, and communications. An analysis of the DCI will determine if the areas identified for focus are considered clear objectives by Alliance nations; what the priorities are for attainment of these objectives; Alliance management and structure to attain these objectives (analyze High Level Steering Group (HLSG) oversight); and resource allocation/management toward objectives. This analysis will conclude that the DCI objectives are either attainable or unattainable. Based on this analysis, adjustments to enable attainment will be recommended and causes for possible failure will be identified. Additionally, a short discussion on the DCI objectives and the Army's Objective Force will illuminate that without timely attainment of the DCI objectives the military capabilities gap between the U.S. and NATO Europe will grow exponentially."
Army War College (U.S.)
Flowers, James N.
2002-04-09
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Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection: A Catalyst for Attaining United States Central Command's Strategic Objectives for Building the Maritime Capacity of the Gulf Cooperation Council
From the thesis abstract: "Building Partner Capacity is a strategic objective stated in the United States' National Security Strategy, Maritime Strategy, Quadrennial Defense Review and is nested in United States Central Command's theater strategy. Stability in the Middle East and the steady flow of Arabian Gulf oil to global markets is a vital national interest of the United States. With United States maritime forces stretched thin globally, it is critical that we rely on coalition partners to carry an increased burden in securing the maritime commons. As our presence in the Arabian Gulf continues to wane, our reliance on friendly regional organizations, like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to contribute to regional stability increases. The United States military's program to build the maritime capacity of the GCC must be improved in order to be effective. This paper recommends six changes to United States Naval Forces Central Command's (USNAVCENT) maritime capacity building effort. Implementation of these recommendations enables USNAVCENT to more effectively build the capacity of partners, which will better address the maritime security shortfall in the Arabian Gulf."
Naval War College (U.S.). Joint Military Operations Department
Meehan, Kevin
2010-04-26
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Inward Airpower: Civil-Military Considerations for Air Force Security Cooperation
From the thesis abstract: "This paper examines potential civil-military implications for U.S. Air Force security cooperation activities in building partnership capacity with airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Specifically, this paper examines how proliferation of airborne ISR capabilities has the potential to undermine efforts to build and strengthen democratic governments. The potential unintended consequences and second or third-order effects of ISR proliferation present a dilemma to statesmen and strategists, wherein near-term security gains may undermine long-term democratization. Global proliferation of ISR technologies further complicates this dilemma, because should the United States choose not to export these technologies to a given country, suppliers from other nations will. This leaves decision makers seeking the least-worst solution, and requires commitment to address governance development at high levels within state-to-state relationships. As partner nations struggle to control ungoverned territories and defeat insurgent and terrorist threats, airborne ISR provides tremendous capability for partner nations to meet their own security requirements."
Army War College (U.S.)
Halford, Darren Boyd
2012-03-20
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National Guard on the Southwest Border: Defining the Role
From the thesis abstract: "The National Guard's role in the War on Terror continues to decrease with the troop draw down in Iraq and Afghanistan, while multiple threats on the Southwest border continue to increase. Americans are expressing growing concerns over organized crime and international terrorism and the government's ability to secure the Southwest border in the face of those threats are in question. It is time for the United States to examine the National Guard's role and mission in relation to defending the homeland. In a time of significant budget cuts and downsizing of all government organizations, the use of the National Guard to permanently augment the Department of Homeland Security is a viable option. The National Guard can contribute additional capabilities and capacities in equipment and manpower to augment the Border Patrol and help fill gaps in border security. The gains made by the National Guard since 911 are exponential and a reversal to the pre 911 eras of strategic reserve status will make the National Guard less relevant. It is time to define the role and mission of the National Guard on the Southwest border."
Army War College (U.S.)
Lawson, Tim
2012-03-22
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Maintaining Operational Readiness in the Army National Guard
From the thesis abstract: "Prior to operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the early 1990s, our national military strategy relied on the Reserve Component (RC), in particular the Army National Guard (ARNG), as a strategic, as opposed to an operational reserve. Since that time, a paradigm shift occurred. From that point forward we realized that operational employment of the ARNG in all significant military contingency operations was necessary, hence the need for an operationally ready ARNG. This paper examines what missions the army could task to the ARNG that best ensure its ability to maintain operational readiness. The examination: (1) includes a brief historical background of the ARNG, (2) a review of the missions that maintain operational readiness, (3) conducts an analysis of those missions, and finally, (4) recommends a basic mission set for the ARNG. The ARNG, through enhanced training, equipment modernization, force structure balancing and multiple deployments, has developed and maintains an operational readiness that exceeds any previous level. Future readiness and effective employment of the ARNG requires a mission set and policy that ensures continuous engagement with viable missions that continue to develop and strengthen readiness and an already solid partnership with the Active Component (AC)."
Army War College (U.S.)
Croymans, Thomas G.
2012-03-22
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21st Century Strategy Needs Sun Tzu
From the thesis abstract: "Today's world is filled with uncertainty and is a world where typical lines of the battlefield no longer exist. The current strategic environment remains best described as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous and is a world where future contingencies involving the United States will be asymmetrical. As the current world superpower, the United States will continue to find itself involved in world affairs whether we choose to or not and strategists must be properly armed. Theories are useful tools that strategists need to carefully study and understand in order to effectively address both current and future strategic environments. Sun Tzu's theories provide military planners and strategists with a non-prescriptive approach to achieve success in modern warfare and demand careful examination before recommendations are made requiring the use of the Nation's military to senior leaders. This Strategic Research Paper will argue that several of the precepts of warfare addressed in Sun Tzu's, 'The Art of War', remain relevant today, and that they will continue to, well beyond the twenty-first century. This paper will show that his precepts have influenced current doctrine and strategic decision-making through the use of historic and more recent contingency operations."
Army War College (U.S.)
Critzer, Orlando Dale
2012-03-22
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Risk and Reward of an Operational Marine Corps Reserve
From the thesis abstract: "Send in the Marines. For over two hundred and thirty-five years America's strategic leaders have called upon the Nation's expeditionary force-in-readiness to protect and defend our interests whether home or abroad. The Corps is an air, ground, and logistics total force enterprise that provides the United States a capability rivaled by no other organization in the world. The Marine Corps' total force structure is comprised of an active component (AC) and a reserve component (RC). Over the past decade, the RC of the Marine Corps has been employed as an operational reserve although it is primarily organized, trained and equipped as a strategic reserve. As the Global War on Terror progresses, strategic leaders within the RC and AC must conduct an analysis of the Marine Corps' total force framework to address RC gaps in doctrine, organization, leadership and education. The analysis will further enable the RC to become an effective and efficient contributor to the middleweight of America's Armed Services; light enough to get to the fight quickly and heavy enough to carry the day upon arrival. This SRP [Strategy Research Project] will discuss the Marine Corps RC posture through a wide angle lens and briefly address a few of the risks and rewards of the strategic structure transitioning to an operational asset."
Army War College (U.S.)
Mason, Curtis A.
2012-03-21
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Libya: A Future Arab Democracy
From the thesis abstract: "Libya has overthrown its long time dictator Muammar Gadhafi with the aid of both Western and Arab militaries. The United States acted under the authority of U.N. mandate 1973 as part of a broad coalition of both NATO and Arab Nations primarily in a supporting role. In Libya, as in its neighbors Egypt and Tunisia, the successful revolution has now established transitional governments who's effectiveness is yet to be determined. Unlike other Arab nations, Libya possesses a combination of vast oil reserves, a small and balanced population, and a relatively high education level in its citizens. These factors all bode well for the establishment of a lasting representative government. If successful, Libya can not only secure its borders, and deny safe haven to terrorism as is the declared interest of the United States, but also serve as a positive economic and political influence on the region. Egypt remains the most significant and strategic nation in the region, but the benefits of a successful Libya and the relatively low cost at which it may be achieved should not be overlooked."
Army War College (U.S.)
Kulzer, Jacob
2012-03-21
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NATO's Relevance in the Twenty-First Century
From the thesis abstract: "The end of the cold war with Soviet Union in 1991 marked a beginning of a new era for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Left without a common enemy many wondered if NATO still had purpose or relevance. When the world entered into the 21st Century the entire environment had changed. The affects of Globalization, the threats of failed or failing states, non-state actors, the rise of global terrorism and the world's economic crisis dictated that NATO had to adapt. This research paper analyzes the threats the world faces today and the evolution of NATO into a global security mission. I maintain that NATO is as relevant (if not more so) in the 21st century than it was during the cold war."
Army War College (U.S.)
Jones, John K.
2012-03-22
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Countermeasures to an Initial Surprise Attack Through the Analysis of Historical Examples
From the theses abstract: "This study attempts to deduce the countermeasures to an initial surprise attack through the analysis of historical examples. The research reveals that the defender must eliminate vulnerable timing in his reaction capabilities and develop his own doctrine, organization, and material based on his national character, terrain, climate, and the enemy's doctrine. To cope with the attacker's main attack directed toward an unexpected place, the defender capabilities must secure flexibility which could cope with any enemy Once the attacker has attacked, the defender's command structure should exactly identify the attacker's attempt as early as possible. To respond quickly to enemy's attempt, the defender should possess quick reaction capabilities and to respond effectively to the attacker's overpowering concentration of force and his speed of maneuver, the defender's maximum efforts must be focused on absorbing the attacker's attack momentum. Any countermeasure could not be accomplished without the soldiers' high morale. Those deduced countermeasures could be considered conceptual guidance in preparing for a surprise attack. The actual, substantial, and precise countermeasures should be researched, developed, and actualized nationally within the specific environments involved."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Yoo, Je Hyun
1980-06-06
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Tapping into the Wiretap Debate
From the thesis abstract: "The use of electronic surveillance by federal intelligence agencies has historically been a contested topic. After a series of missteps by the intelligence community, Congress enacted the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Court to define and oversee electronic collection and surveillance in order to better protect civil liberties. In the twenty years that followed, the world would undergo an evolution in communication technologies, creating vulnerabilities for U.S. intelligence agencies under the law. In the aftermath of 9/11, both Congress and the Executive Office enhanced electronic surveillance measures to combat terrorism. Critics of the new laws and secret executive program argue infringements of civil liberties under the fourth Amendment. Advocates claim an essential need for national security. This paper will examine several related issues. What is the historical rationale behind the laws? How and why have they been adapted over time? Are they currently sufficient to provide intelligence agencies with the tools necessary to protect America while also providing adequate assurances to the American people of their right to privacy? And what further measures can be taken to improve the current system?"
Army War College (U.S.)
May, David W.
2012-02-02
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Bush Doctrine - Roadmap or Relic?
From the thesis abstract: "The United States has lacked a definitive grand strategy since the end of the Cold War. In the wake of 9/11, the Bush Doctrine consisted of four fundamental tenets: do not discriminate between terrorists and nations that support them, engage emerging threats overseas, confront threats before they fully materialize, and advance liberty and hope as alternatives to repression and fear. Current U.S. foreign policy is consumed with crisis management rather than following a long-term game plan with a coherent set of objectives for managing the complex global environment. When viewed as a comprehensive framework for achieving U.S. objectives, the Bush Doctrine provides several critical and enduring concepts fundamental to a long-term strategy. In and of themselves, the Bush Doctrine's tenets cannot serve as the sole basis of foreign policy; but broadening their core objective from eradicating terrorism to addressing extremism and international instability imbue these tenets with an enduring utility for shaping American foreign policy. The realities of U.S. capabilities, the emerging operational environment, and the political aspirations of the nation's electorate codify certain elements of this doctrine as ideal and realistic strategic imperatives for the 21st century."
Army War College (U.S.)
Jones, Jonas C.
2012-02-08
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U.S. Strategic Communication Policy Toward the South American Andean Ridge
From the thesis abstract: "The United States Government and its people have a long relationship with the other Western Hemisphere nations. Over the centuries the strength of bilateral relations and the relations between the U.S. and various regions of the Americas have vacillated. Security issues, economic prosperity, and immigration are among the key aspects of those relationships. The challenge has been for the United States and its partners to clearly and consistently communicate on these matters. At the end of the Cold War, President George H. W. Bush claimed that there was a new world order. The United States has been at the forefront of that new order and occasionally transmitted confusing messages to other nations. This paper outlines U.S. policy concerning Strategic Communication and uses examples from the U.S. interaction with the Andean Ridge countries of South America to show gaps between policy formulation, implementation and the perceptions of regional partners. Finally, it provides recommendations for formalizing Strategic Communication efforts with the Andean Ridge countries."
Army War College (U.S.)
Hodge, Timothy D.
2012-02-17
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Nation Assistance: A Tool for Promoting Peacetime Engagement in Latin America
From the thesis abstract: "Nation assistance was instrumental in developing and preparing the battlefield for a United States foreign policy in Latin America during the 20th century. Perhaps this resource intensive tool is no longer effective or needed in promoting the peacetime engagement tenet of the Clinton Administration's National Security Strategy. This paper demonstrates that nation assistance could be the most viable and productive vehicle that the DoD has in Latin America to influence political, economic and military environments in the young democracies of Latin America. This study reviews the past successes of this program, the future threats to Latin America and our national interests, and recommends to the Administration and Congress, from three options, that the government put more resources into this cost-effective plank of the foreign security policy of our nation in the fertile but fragile democracies of Latin America."
Army War College (U.S.)
Dinsick, Robert G.
1996-04-15
