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Legality of al-Qaeda's Jihad
"Usama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, declared war on the United States in a statement issued in August 1996. With the words, 'It is a duty now on every tribe in the Arab Peninsula to fight in the cause of Allah and to cleanse the land from those occupiers (Americans in Saudi Arabia),' bin Laden reminded Muslims of an ancient legal obligation to defend that region and the Muslim way of life from invaders and set in motion forces that continue to affect the United States, indeed the world, today. The United States' National Security Strategy 2010 stated that, '. . . we reject the notion that al-Qa'ida represents any religious authority. They are not religious leaders, they are killers; and neither Islam nor any other religion condones the slaughter of innocents.' This monograph explores the relationship between al-Qaeda's ideology, and Islamic law and doctrine. This analysis of Islamic legal and doctrinal sources examines seven aspects of al-Qaeda's ideology and exposes a stunning consistency between the two. The seven aspects considered include the obligation to conduct jihad, combatants and non-combatants in jihad, jihad against non-Muslims, the treatment of captives, mutilation, martyrdom, and the handling of the spoils of war. This monograph takes a position counter to that of the National Security Strategy and proposes that al-Qaeda's ideology is based on the Koran and does, in fact, comply with Islamic law. The analysis clearly shows that al-Qaeda's ideology and actions are consistent with Islamic law, even regarding the killing of innocent men, women, and children. This finding casts doubt on the notion that Islam is a 'religion of peace' and brings into question the basis of current U.S. policy toward al-Qaeda and other Islamist extremists."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Pelicano, Stephen M.
2011-05-16
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Building a Better Strategic Analyst: A Critical Review of the U.S. Army's All Source Analyst Training Program
"This monograph explores the development of intelligence analysts from their indoctrination through positions of senior intelligence analysts charged with scrutinizing strategic concepts and providing strategic recommendations. It compares current methodologies used to produce adaptive, effective senior intelligence analysts necessary for today's complex battlefields in non-Department of Defense agencies to those used within the United States Army. It seeks to answer the question: does the intelligence school in the United States Army prepare its intelligence analysts properly through training and education for roles as senior intelligence analysts? The results of this analysis identified three major observations. The first is that the current Army system does little to encourage individual innovation, imagination or creativity. The second is that the education, training, and evaluation system does little in the way of truly preparing an analyst for success in the senior analyst realm. Finally, the Army does not use the proper terminology for what it wants. The term analyst is reductionist and deductive by definition. The Army truly identified the need for an individual who can think deductively, inductively and abductively with the ability to synthesize all those ideas into something more predictive in nature. In short, the Army is not seeking an all source analyst as much as an all source 'synthesist' or 'fusionist'. This is especially true in the strategic, senior intelligence analyst positions, helping to shape senior leaders' ideas of the situation the Army faces today and tomorrow."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Allen, Daniel M.
2008-05-15
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Applicability of Army Design Methodology to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
"The FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] has a long history and established culture as the pre-eminent law enforcement agency in the world. Beginning in the late 1930s, the FBI assumed responsibility for espionage and domestic intelligence investigations. Abuses of domestic intelligence investigations in the 1950s and 1960s led to the Church Committee hearings of the 1970s. Those hearings showed the FBI had abused its investigative powers, and several senior FBI officials were indicted. Subsequently, intelligence investigations and programs were avoided by most FBI personnel, and the intelligence program was unable to detect and prevent the 9/11 attacks. Following 9/11, the FBI sought to transform itself into an effective domestic intelligence agency by implementing a series of bureaucratic programs and policies. Eight years later, the Fort Hood attack, and the subsequent Congressional report, indicated the FBI's transformation needed to be accelerated. Had the concept of design been available to FBI Intelligence Program leaders and applied to the problem, the need to deal with the FBI's law enforcement culture concurrently with establishment of bureaucratic policies and procedures would have been apparent. By applying design to the Intelligence Program, a need for post-9/11 cultural transformation becomes clear. As the world becomes both more complex and interconnected, the FBI needs to adapt and evolve to meet new challenges. By developing and applying its own design concept, the FBI can avoid the transformational problems of the past ten years in the future. The FBI will continue to be faced with complex, ill-structured problems, and can benefit by establishing a design process to apply to those problems."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Blair, Kevin L.
2011-05-19
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Beyond Experience - Educating Coast Guard Officers for the Demands of Professional Excellence
"This monograph examines the current state of Coast Guard Professional Military Education (PME) to identify areas for improvement to ensure Coast Guard officers have the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate in an increasingly complex and dynamic post-9-11 environment. The monograph explores the history and culture of the service, including internal and external factors, to show their influence on the service's preference for the experiential model of learning and education. Then the monograph examines current policies, requirements, and institutional issues, including service, joint, and departmental competencies. The monograph recommends multiple systemic changes which, if implemented simultaneously, would close existing core competency gaps in the officer corps and improve service, joint, and interagency professional competence at all levels. The proposed changes would also gradually move the Coast Guard away from an experiential-based PME system which is not meeting the professional development needs of the officer corps towards an objective-based system which would."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Kammer, Virginia
2010-06-25
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Policy Decision Process of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Through a Glass Darkly
"The Islamic Republic of Iran remains defiant to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1696 which demands that "Iran suspend all nuclear enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that Iran's nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and that, as a sovereign country, Iran has the right to pursue nuclear energy. President Ahmadinejad stated Iran would not stop its nuclear program despite the threat of increasing isolation and international sanctions. Iran has been given numerous opportunities and deadlines to prove to the international community that their nuclear production actions are legitimate according to international laws, treaties and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Yet, Iran has barred all inspection efforts by the IAEA. This defiance of international norms in connection with the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons represents a threat to the interests of the US and its allies and friends in the region. Many have offered numerous ways to possibly to rectify this problem which includes regime change through supporting Iranian opposition groups and conducting limited air strikes on Iran's nuclear production facilities. However, there is no guarantee that these actions will bring about the immediate and long standing result that is required.Perhaps the wisest thing for strategists and planners to do before embarking upon any course of action towards Iran is to analyze Iran's complex political system in order to understand the functionality of the government's policy decision-making process. Iran's political system includes the president, cabinet members, Supreme Council of National Security, 290-member Parliament, head of judiciary and most importantly the Supreme Leader, Council of Experts, Guardian Council, Expediency Council, Internal Security Forces, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and Regular Armed Forces. Additionally, these system components are impacted by the informal political system which includes: hardliners, conservatives, and reformers. Each of these institutions and groups exercise significant influence in the development, approval, and the execution of government policy. By understanding Iran's policy decision process and the components of the complex political system strategists and planners could identify better ways to influence the Iranian regime to change its policy toward nuclear activities and to abide by the United Nations Security Resolutions. However, the challenge to understand the Iranian government's decision-making process is formidable and will demand of policy makers that they get beyond strategic ethnocentrism."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Phillips, William
2007-05-18
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COIN Modeling: An MDMP Technique for Planning Counter-Insurgency Campaigns
"This monograph argues that the UEX [Unit of Execution] planner must broaden the MDMP [military decision making process] in order to make it an effective COIN [counterinsurgency] planning process. The MDMP was designed as a planning process for conventional operations. It is, therefore, focused on planning conventional operations leading to the defeat of the enemy in battle. Successful COIN operations do not necessarily lead to a decisive battle, but successfully isolate the insurgent from his sources of power. Therefore, an effective COIN planning process must be comprehensive enough to address the military and non-military conditions that sustain the insurgency. This requires the planners to understand the critical aspects of the overall society and its key participants while developing logical lines of operations to achieve the desired endstate. This monograph recommends a modification to the MDMP in order to make it compatible with the realities of counter-insurgency warfare. The term coined here for the new planning technique is COIN Modeling."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Hales, Samuel E.
2005-05-26
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Special Forces Doctrine for Counternarcotics Operations
From the thesis abstract: "This monograph addresses the suitability of Special Forces doctrine for their primary wartime missions of Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action, and Foreign Internal Defense when considered for application in counternarcotics operations. This study is motivated by the continuing threat to national security presented by illegal drug trafficking and the increased role of the United States military requested by the people of the United States through their congressional representatives. A significant part of the military contribution to the so-called 'war on drugs' is being provided by U. S. Army Special Forces. This study begins with an analysis of the National Drug Control Strategy to derive what the tactical counternarcotics missions for Special Forces could be. The missions are related in terms of the primary wartime mission described by current U. S. Army doctrine for Special Forces Operations. The Army Counternarcotics Plan is analyzed to determine the constraints and restraints imposed on the mission by public laws and DoD resources. The capabilities for each mission are analyzed and then compared to an application in counternarcotics operations. The analysis of each mission evaluates how each mission recognizes political and diplomatic sensitivities, facilitates interagency activities in an affected country, and balances 'security of operations' with the operational tenet of synchronization. The study concludes that the doctrine for each mission is suitable when applied to counternarcotics operations only if law enforcement is not the purpose for interdiction. The study finds that each mission can accomplishes the tasks required for counternarcotics operations, except when called upon to perform law enforcement duties. The study finds the application of Special Forces in a Foreign Internal Defense mission to be most suitable for defeating drug trafficking when it is viewed as an insurgency."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Realini, James P.
1991-01
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Extending the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front a Catalyst for Peace
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this monograph is to demonstrate the conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF] and the Government of the Philippines is territorial and not religious in nature. To understand this conflict the past four-hundred years from the spread of Islam through the Sulu Islands and Mindanao, Spanish occupation, American occupation, and the Government of the Philippines [GRP] rule from 1946 must be understood to put this complex adaptive problem in context. Extending the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao [ARMM] serves a catalyst for peace in the region. The Memorandum of Agreement for Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) deals with territorial rights. The MILF wants the territory their ancestors used to own before being pushed out by Christian migration to the island of Mindanao. An extension of the ARMM would give more land, governance, socio-economic development, and peace to the Muslims and Christians of the Southern Philippines. MILF and the GRP are interdependent. The MILF needs to break linkages to terrorism, make amends with the MNLF, and come to peace with the GRP. The GRP is dependent upon the MILF for any possibility of peace in the region."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Wilson, Thomas G., Jr.
2009-05-21
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Era of Persistent Engagement
From the thesis abstract: "On September 11, 2001 a relatively obscure Islamic organization, executed an attack against the United States with catastrophic effects. Most of the United States, as well as the world, could not fathom how a single organization could conceive, coordinate and execute such a devastating attack against the world's last remaining superpower. This paper argues that the attacks by Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda were the result or reflect a failure to follow the National Security Strategies developed in the 1990s. The attacks were a result of a failure to recognize the rise of violent, non-state actors and engaging this phenomenon at the proper place and time. It will further argue that active Engagement by the whole of the United States Government, specifically the U.S. military, is the strategy for the future. This paper will examine the policy of engagement by the United States Government prior to 9/11, Osama Bin Laden's engagement activities during the 1990s leading up to the attacks on September 11, 2001 and a review of strategies proposed after 9/11 and offer a course for future strategic direction."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Webster, Charles R., Jr.
2009-05-21
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'We Can Not Take Your Call For Fire Right Now' - Does the Global War on Terrorism Signal the Demise of the Field Artillery?
From the thesis abstract: "The United States Army began transformation to meet the needs of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Senior leaders within the military initiated the transformation from a division-based organization to one built around brigades. This transformation initiative demonstrated that change could be rapid. For some in the Field Artillery (FA), the concern was the change was too rapid and reduced the artillery available to support maneuver units. To make the necessary changes to support a Modular, brigade-based Army, the Army embraced Joint interdependence. Army and Joint doctrine has evolved to meet the needs of interdependence. The primary research question for this monograph is: 'does the reduction of FA batteries within a heavy brigade combat team (HBCT) reduce the effectiveness of fire support for full spectrum operations?' The literature used for this research included documents on national strategy, speeches, service and Joint publications, and military journals. These resources provided a background on what the Army expects of the Modular Fires battalion. The publications also provided an understanding of the threat the United States is facing today and the threats expected in the future. To answer the primary research question, this monograph used a modification of DOTMLPF [Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and education, Personnel, and Facilities] as the framework to analyze the issue of transforming the Fires battalion within an HBCT. The areas not addressed in this monograph were Leadership and Education and Facilities."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Brock, Mark E.
2006-05-25
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Evaluation of the Intensity of Radical Islam in the Balkans and the Assessment of Its Level of Threat for European Security
From the thesis abstract: "To define a valid problem statement, this monograph offers understanding of the cultural differences between the Western European Muslims and the Balkan Muslims. While the Balkan Muslims that lived on European soil for centuries are among the most secular in the world, Western European Muslims that are recent immigrants are showing high level of intolerance and radicalism, opposing the democratic values embedded in Western European culture. The Western European states failed to integrate Muslims into their societies and declared the idea of multiculturalism as a failed project, at the same time asking the Balkans governments to accommodate Muslims, indirectly facilitating the infiltration of radical Islam. The purpose of this monograph is to evaluate the intensity of radical Islam in the Balkans compared with the same problem that Western Europe has, by explaining the connections between Balkans Islam and Western European Islam. The patterns show that radical Islamists' strategic objective is Western Europe, and not the Balkans itself. Balkan countries are merely a safe haven for radical Islam and base for further operations into Western Europe. The Muslim population in several Balkan states is vulnerable to the emergence of radical Islam that in the past two decades is targeting moderate Muslims using the social-economic instability in the Balkans and support from the global jihadist network. This monograph suggests that Western European countries must establish a joint and decisive strategic concept for preventing radicalization of its Muslim population, not excluding the Balkan countries as a significant factor for the overall European security."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Veljovski, Gjorgji
2011-10-20
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Developing a Self-Sustaining Afghan National Army
From the thesis abstract: "The United States' (US) invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the subsequent removal of the Taliban regime are considered monumental successes. In the wake of this success remained the challenge of developing an Afghan National Army (ANA) in order to defend the democratically elected Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). This monograph proposes that international assistance, the development of internal Afghan industrial capacity and improved strategic level mentorship are the critical components in forming a self-sustaining ANA. The approach to analyzing ANA development centered on four areas within this research. ANA logistics culture was studied by reviewing the current, past and a desired logistics system to determine its potential for self-sufficiency. Regional neighbors were analyzed to identify their relationships with Afghanistan that could enhance partnered efforts in order to improve internal capacity. The analysis then explored the role of US advisors in Afghanistan as they seek to train and mentor Afghan leaders for the purpose of planning and executing strategic level logistics operations. Finally, the US success in developing a self-sustaining Greek National Army (GNA) following World War II offered some lessons learned that could be applied to the ongoing advisory effort in Afghanistan."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Mashack, Trahon T.
2009
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Domestic Remotely Piloted Aircraft Use by Federal, State, and Local Governments
From the thesis abstract: "The United States military enjoys the continued growth of Remotely Piloted Aircraft assets and personnel. By 2015, Creech Air Force Base will employ almost one in every five active duty Air Force pilots. Remotely Piloted Aircraft are in such demand in Iraq and Afghanistan that they occupy over forty 24-hour continuous missions, planned to expand to over sixty within the next two years. However, with the drawdown in troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan inevitably approaching, the United States military will have a surplus of assets and operators undergoing training in the United States while waiting for the next crisis. The military remains committed to its Defense Support to Civil Authorities requirements but needlessly restricts its support beyond emergency response due to the outdated United States Code and self-inflicted Department of Defense Directives. Unless the United States government, specifically the military, develops a system to allow Federal and State agencies to request habitual assistance from the military's Remotely Piloted Aircraft, those agencies will purchase separate equipment and operators. While military assets go operationally underused, the State and Federal agencies will not be able to fully exploit their expensive equipment and costly operators. However, if the Federal government implements an approach to maximize Remotely Piloted Aircraft efficiency and effectiveness, such as a system similar to the military's Close Air Support request system or an improved National Incident Management System, it would lower overall government costs through the sharing of equipment, bandwidth, and operators."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Harman, Jack F.
2011-03-31
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How the Posse Comitatus Act Restricts Department of Defense Information Sharing
"This thesis argues that the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) limits Department of Defense (DoD) information-sharing initiatives, but that such limitations are necessary to the preservation of civil-military relations. Throughout its history, the United States has struggled with the appropriate role of federal military forces in domestic operations, and the PCA reflects this struggle. With respect to domestic intelligence operations, the federal government has emphasized the importance of information sharing between the various federal agencies, including the DoD, and local law enforcement. The thesis begins by explaining the United States intelligence infrastructure, the relationships between the various agencies, and the functions of DoD within that structure. Next, the thesis analyzes the PCA and accompanying regulations designed to restrict the use of federal forces in a law enforcement capacity. Then, through three case studies dating from the 1920s, the 1970s, and post-11 September 2001, the thesis discusses the practical application of PCA restrictions to DoD domestic intelligence operations, as well as lessons learned from past operations. This section concludes that the PCA does in fact inhibit information sharing between DoD and state authorities. Finally, the thesis concludes that such inhibitions are crucial to preserving healthy civil-military relations within the United States."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Sennott, Daniel J.
2010-06-11
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Governance in Afghanistan: Context and Possibilities
"Since 2011, the capabilities of the Afghan state have been a priority on the world stage. The reign of Amir Abdur Rahman, who established the current state of Afghanistan, is critical in understanding the development of the current state, and the possibilities that are open to the current government. When Amir Abdur Rahman ascended to the throne of Kabul, he ruled little more than the city itself. Over the course of his 21 year reign, he established institutions that enabled the first peaceful transition of power in the history of Afghanistan, and formalized the state that currently exists. Understanding the methods used by Rahman, the context in which he used them, and the results of that application illuminate possibilities for the current Afghan state. In extending the power of the state, Rahman's primary methods were 'internal imperialism' and cooption of the Islamic religious authorities. Supporting these methods were military modernization, and governmental and economic development. Finally, the imposition of boundaries on Afghanistan by the state system changed the nature of boundaries and shaped the extension of state power. This insight shapes the understanding of the possibilities that are open for extending the power of the current state in relation to similar actors in a similar system."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Yanda, Jason A.
2011-03-30
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Fighting the Global War on Terror Tolerably: Augmenting the Global Counter Insurgency Strategy with Surrogates
"There is a long historical precedent of great powers utilizing surrogate forces as an economy of force measure in the pursuit of their objectives. The lessons learned during the ideological brush fire conflicts of the Cold War are relevant to the current ideological struggles of the GWOT [Global War on Terror]. The two case studies chosen for this paper are the French in Algeria 1954-1962 and the British in Oman/Dhofar 1965-1975. The scope of this study reviews three themes that run through the French and British utilization of surrogates and the potential applications for the US in the GWOT. The three themes are the recruitment of surrogates, their employment and the moral implications of adopting a surrogate based strategy. The current GWOT strategy of the United States has alienated allies, stretched her military resources thin and exacerbated chronic third world discontent with America. The primary aim of this paper is to review the potential use of surrogates as a lower profile and more cost effective approach to achieving American GWOT objectives. The way ahead is to train, equip and utilize indigenous forces to act for or in concert with US forces. The unrivaled combat power and efficiency of the US military dictates there is no surrogate force capable of operating replacing that level of operations, however in the COE [contemporary operational environment] the most important advantages a surrogate force offers are their non-kinetic operational multipliers. T.E. Lawrence's admonition that it is, 'Better the Arabs do it tolerably than that you do it perfectly' has grown even more applicable in the COE."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Howe, Stephen F.
2007-03-27
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New Direction Toward a More Secure America
"The security of the United States is an enduring dilemma that if not properly addressed will leave the nation vulnerable to existing and future threats. The attacks of September 11, 2001 were a stark reminder of our vulnerability. Despite the initial and subsequent government responses to secure the country, it is still vulnerable to attack. To prevent further attacks in our country it is necessary for the Department of Defense to lead an effort to build a whole of government approach towards securing the nation. The Department of Defense should clarify its existing doctrine on homeland defense, facilitate the sharing of information and assist in developing a family of unified plans that links the actions of the numerous agencies involved in Homeland Security to the strategic end state of providing a safe, and secure environment for the country."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Lairsey, Johnny M. Jr.
2010-04-15
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Breaching the Phalanx: Developing a More Engineer-Centric Modular BCT
From the thesis abstract: "The Army decided to re-structure the combat divisions into modular, brigade units in order to better address the difficulty inherent in fighting terrorism, while simultaneously providing combat units to OIF [Operation Iraqi Freedom] and OEF [Operation Enduring Freedom] for SSTR [Stability, Security, Transition & Reconstruction] operations. These new modular combat units are based on predominantly infantry and armor capabilities and have resulted in a large divestiture of engineering units and capabilities. The Army's reduction lies in stark contrast to the US Department of Defense policy stipulating for all services to address SSTR as a decisive operation commensurate with the resourcing given other combat operations. A better solution for the Army could be to invest in more engineer capability as the center-piece of its new modular BCTs [brigade combat teams]. This monograph will address the Army's challenge of implementing SSTR as a decisive operation as part of a main attempt to determine a method to 'operationalize' a more engineer-centric concept. The monograph will conduct a short survey of historical examples of the combat and construction capabilities of engineer formations. Historically multi-purpose engineer units helped commanders meet their plethora of infantry tasks and still maintained good capacity for combat engineering and construction. Several solutions to the full-spectrum force structure problem are addressed in the monograph, with the Maneuver Enhancement (ME) BCT concept appearing most promising. The ME BCT has proven to be a viable option, having just returned from duty in Iraq, and has now fully implemented at Fort Lewis, WA. With continued study and development of doctrine and promising training programs, the ME BCT will meet its challenge of training and leader development. If the National Security Strategy is correct about the most common form of future warfare being full-spectrum combat, then the ME BCT has the potential to be the most useful BCT organization in the conflicts to come."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Schultze, James M.
2007-06-05
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Working Theory of Operational Art in Modern War
From the thesis abstract: "This paper proposes a working theory of operational art practiced in counterinsurgency war (i.e., modern war). The underlying hypothesis of the paper is that operational art in modern war uses different logic than that used in conventional war. The inspiration for this hypothesis comes from Final Draft FM 100-20/AFM 2-XY Military Operations in Low-Intensity Conflict, 24 June 1988. This draft manual states that operational commanders use a conventional warfare type logic process when planning for LIC. For structure and comparison, this paper's base is built upon an analysis of the theory of operational art in conventional warfare as articulated in Professor James J. Schneider's 'Theoretical Paper No. 3, The Theory of Operational Art.' The paper proceeds from a definition of operational art in modern war. This is followed by a discussion of the linkage between the domains of war and constructive forces. Friction and fog are next discussed, followed by the ends-ways-means-risk relationship of operational planning. A section on materials will introduce the concept of centers of gravity. Schneider's analogy of the operational commander and the artistic painter helps to understand the next section entitled 'the operational canvas.' The final two sections will address the tools and methods available to the operational commander."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Thornton, Skip
1989-05-16
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Facing the Long War: Factors that Lead Soldiers to Stay in the Army During Persistent Conflict
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of the monograph is to explore the trends in retention during the last fifteen years during an era of persistent conflict. Frequent deployments influence soldiers' retention decisions. Based on extensive research from surveys, focus groups, and retention analysis, eight factors stand out. The eight primary retention factors for U.S. Army soldiers are family support, military and civilian education, quality physical and mental health services, pay and benefits, serving a higher purpose, resilience to adversity, realistic expectations, and leadership. Each factor affects soldiers' perception of quality of life. This monograph makes several recommendations to commanders regarding how to approach retention during the long war. The long war refers to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and other ongoing extended operations in the fight against terrorism and promotion of long-term stability."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Petty, Jonathan T.
2011-03-31
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Canada's 2009 Northern Strategy: Cold War Policy in a Warming Arctic
From the thesis abstract: "From its founding Canada has been an Arctic nation, and has both claimed sovereignty over much of the region and viewed itself as an Arctic power. Despite this, the twentieth century has witnessed minimal development and resource allocation to this region, and Canada has failed to complete the job of nation building north. The peculiar circumstances of the Cold War have had a profound effect on shaping Canadian perceptions of the North, and for fifty years allowed Canada to largely neglect the area with little consequence. In 2009, the Canadian government issued a new Northern Strategy intended to provide a coherent vision and guidance to refocus attention north, and promote the region as a stable and prosperous region responsive to Canadian interests and values. Although circumstances have changed with the end of the Cold War and greater accessibility to and competition for Arctic resources, Canada's Northern Strategy remains one more appropriate to the context of the Cold War than the current milieu. While talking of the new Arctic environment, Canadian policy continues to think of it in Cold War terms. As a result, Canada's conception of the challenges faced in extending development and governance in the Arctic and the strategies to overcome these challenges are in some cases no longer relevant."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Bobbitt, Daniel R.
2011-03-01
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Force XXI: What Are the Risks of Building a High Tech, Narrowly Focused Army?
From the thesis abstract: "This monograph examines the doctrinal and acquisition focus of Force XXI in light of the projected future strategic environment. Despite its conceptual overtones, Force XXI is currently physically manifested in both a doctrinal publication and in the Army's modernization plans. Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Pamphlet 525-5, Force XXI Operations, contains the Army's initial effort at defining the probable nature of the future strategic environment and the technological acceleration that is anticipated. It outlines the Army's concept for conducting war in the future, and provides a conceptual framework for the types of weapons and systems the Army will need to counter the diverse nature of future threats. Although cognizant of the requirements for modernization to meet threats throughout the spectrum of conflict, Force XXI is aimed at a very narrow portion of the upper end of that spectrum. TRADOC Pamphlet 525-5, while providing a comprehensive summary of the dangers emerging in the last part of this century, fails to adequately address how the Army will deal with the entire spectrum of conflict. The baffle dynamics explained in the text are centered on traditional, conventional warfare. OOTW [Operations Other Than War] is initially addressed, but its presence is marginalized in favor of discussion of conventional baffle. A review of programmed expenditures illustrates the Army's almost total dedication to the high end of the spectrum; the traditional form of combat that some critics assert is the least likely to occur in the near future. The concentration of resources on this very narrow slice of the spectrum of conflict does not come without a corresponding cost. Assessing that cost is the crux of the Army leadership's modernization dilemma. Judging where along the spectrum of conflict to accept risk is an infinitely difficult process."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Jones, Brian D.
1996-05-23
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Army IPB in Support of Nation Building Operations
From the thesis abstract: "In order to effectively answer the question of Army IPB [Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace] in support of Nation Building planning and operations it is necessary to undertake a series of analytical reviews. The first review must focus on the definition of the term Nation Building. It is not found in any Joint Publications or Army Manuals despite the rampant use of the term in military and media circles. Once a definition is settled on the attention must then turn to the inevitability of Nation Building Operations. The inevitability is effectively the driving purpose behind the need for this study. Once complete, both Army and Joint Doctrine must be analyzed. The focus of this analysis is on establishing common definitions for Stability and Support Operations according to both Joint Publications and Army Manuals, followed by a review of the Joint and Army IPB Process doctrine. The emphasis of the doctrinal review is to determine how the current IPB Process addresses those tasks necessary to provide an informative portrayal of the contemporary operating environment in support of Nation Building. Subsequent to the doctrinal review it is necessary to analyze multiple operations the US Army has been involved in so that lessons learned could be inferred that will potentially improve the current Army IPB Process. The end state of this step is the development of a product that addresses the lessons learned in the framework of the four steps of the Army IPB Process. The final analytical step is to then combine the two reviews into one composite product that will advance the current state of Army IPB Process Doctrine so that it is more relevant to ongoing and future operations."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Mangan, William J.
2005-05-26
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Building a Basis for Information Warfare Rules of Engagement
From the thesis abstract: "The U.S. armed forces face a global information threat which could launch an attack without warning. This surprise attack could damage the U.S. armed forces ability to mobilize, deploy and control forces worldwide. The attack will use the global information infrastructure to target the information based processes the U.S. armed forces utilize to dominate the entire spectrum of conflict. To protect information based processes, U.S. armed forces joint operational planners are building plans to defeat and possibly attack information based threats. This monograph discusses how the U.S. armed forces should regulate the defensive and offensive responses to information attack with Rules of Engagement. After defining several terms, this monograph illustrates the gravity of the threat the U.S. armed forces face in the information spectrum. The proliferation of computers and networking is creating a huge underclass of IW warriors bent on destroying, manipulating, and stealing information. While past IW threats were curious 'hackers,' the modem IW [Information Warfare] environment is encompassed by over 18 countries currently pursing active IW attack and defense programs. Dealing with a threat requires operational planners recognize that information is rapidly becoming the center of gravity for military operations. This monograph proposes IW planners build IW ROE [Information Warfare Rules of Engagement] that extends maximum protection to information by protecting key information systems and infrastructure. Additionally, IW ROE should also allow the U.S. armed forces to autonomously implement retaliatory or pre-emptive self defensive actions to counter any information based threat."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Uchida, Ted T.
1997-12-18
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Legitimacy and Reason: A Primer for Reduction of Tension Between the Western and Arab-Islamic Worlds
From the thesis abstract: "This monograph attempts to define the underlying cause of today's tension between the Western and Arab-Islamic worlds, along with identification of existing similarities which can be utilized and exploited to bring about common understanding and peaceful resolution. The cause is determined to be differing perceptions of legitimacy. To develop a common understanding of why these differences exist, the monograph demonstrates the continuing applicability of classical Greek logic and reason as taught by Plato and Aristotle and interpreted by early prominent Arab-Islamic philosophers. Common thought provides the basis for timeless understanding of common problems, issues, and concerns. Divergent thought, grounded in religious dogma and myth, opens windows toward political opportunism, isolationism, misunderstanding, and fear. Grounding in similar classic thought provides the initial ability for both sides to address the tension through common logic and reason. […] The monograph concludes with the assertion that reduction, if not resolution, of today's tension requires common understanding and acceptance of legitimacy by both sides. This can be obtained through encouraged application of reason and focus on interests, issues, and concerns common to both the Western and Arab-Islamic worlds, all while minimizing cultural differences and avoiding political, social, and religious rhetoric. Logic and reason exist independently of current contextual conditions, and can be universally applied. Additionally, a balanced application of both Hobbes' and Locke's ideas is required. To remain wedded to a singular approach without periodic analysis and reevaluation will only sustain the perpetual cycle of violence through the end of the twenty-first century, and will serve to destroy any chance of achieving legitimacy."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Brown, Mark D.
2007-06-05
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Protecting the Force in Operations Other than War
From the thesis abstract: "Army warfighting doctrine clearly delineates the definition, scope, and components of protection for application on the battlefield; however, the Army's Operations Other Than War (OOTW) doctrine does not provide similar clarity for the concept in OOTW missions. Protection, as defined by FM 100-5, Operations, conserves the commander's combat power, but none of the OOTW manuals give the same definition of protection. In examining Army doctrine, this monograph highlights the significant differences which appear in the key OOTW doctrinal manuals: FM 100-20 (Draft), Operations Other Than War, FM 100-19, Domestic Support Operations, FM 100-23, Peace Operations, and FM 100-23-2, Multiservice Tactics Techniques and Procedures for Humanitarian Operations. Comparing these manuals to FM 100-5 shows the disparities which exist in the doctrine. In operations other than war, the commander's requirement to protect his force has received little attention in doctrine. The history of the United States Multinational Force in Lebanon, September 1982 to February 1984, reveals several essential concepts necessary to protect the force in OOTW. Examining the bombing of the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) building in Beirut, Lebanon on the 23d of October, 1983 provides evidence to further modify existing -Army doctrine. The commander must weigh competing requirements to secure his force while simultaneously exercising restraint in the use of weapons. Regardless of the mission, a commander must take precautions to protect his force. Especially during active hostilities, the need for security outweighs concerns about perception."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Stewart, Michael D.
1995-12-14
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China's Expeditionary Progression
From the thesis abstract: "This study seeks to answer: What expeditionary capabilities is China building and how is it employing them? Are there any indicators that China possesses expeditionary capabilities and have the logistical support structure to sustain its endeavors abroad? To answer these questions, this monograph uses a qualitative case study methodology to access China's expeditionary capabilities. The analysis consists of three expeditionary case studies (the Tsunami Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief of 2004, the British invasion of the Falklands, the Sierra Leone invasion of 2000), progressing in intensity, to test the current expeditionary stance of the PLA [People's Liberation Army]. It defines the terms 'expeditionary capabilities' and 'expeditionary logistics.' Next, it identifies problems associated with sustaining expeditionary operations, creating evaluation criteria that are the best leading indicators of capability, and using a subset of those capabilities (enablers) to analyze China's current expeditionary stance. Then, it analyzes five expeditionary logistics models that support and sustain expeditionary operations. Finally, the monograph concludes that China does not have the capacity to sustain large-scale expeditionary operations. Thus, research shows that China is likely to follow a familiar path towards building force projection capabilities comparable to other modern expeditionary forces if it plans to engage in more intensive, expeditionary operations. If so, China will continue on the trajectory of increasing expeditionary capabilities as displayed by the indicators highlighted in this monograph. Until then, China will not be in the position to assume a greater role globally."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Welch, Donna L. I.
2011-12-01
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Stability Operations: Ill-Structured Problems, Stakeholders, and Gaining Consensus
From the thesis abstract: "The Department of Defense emphasis on stability operations caused the United States Army to change its operational concept to Full Spectrum Operations (FSO). The acknowledgment of the importance of stability operations however, does not translate to the ability to plan such operations. As a result, the army has revised its doctrine to meet the demands incurred since embarking on the Global War on Terrorism in 2001. These revisions were necessary and relevant to secure the lessons of eight years of war. However, doctrinal revisions failed to provide a complete theoretical foundation for ill-structured problems as described in FM 5-0, The Operations Process [Field Manual 5-0: The Operations Process]; nor did the revisions do more than provide examples of stakeholders much less provide a definition of such actors; and, while key leader engagements are common practice in Iraq and Afghanistan, doctrine has not provided any tools for structuring these engagements to assist in developing understanding of ill-structured problems, or how to gain consensus among divergent groups of stakeholders. Thus, this monograph outlines three methods for inclusion in future revisions of doctrine to improve the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) specifically for stability operations."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Sutton, Johnny R.
2011-05-19
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National Guard Combat Divisions: State Militia or Federal Muscle Force Structure Mix
From the thesis abstract: "This monograph examines the current force structure of the Bottom-Up Review and its ability to meet the requirements as outlined in the National Military Strategy. The goals and objectives of the national U.S. strategy are examined in the context of the two MRC [Major Regional Contingencies] scenario as described in the National Military Strategy. Cold War logic has had a significant impact on the framers of the National Military Strategy and the Bottom-Up Review force reflects this influence. The two MRC scenario 'sizing function' has left the U.S. military with a smaller, more lethal, but probably irrelevant force in the post-Cold War environment."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Rousseau, Thomas L.
1997-05-22
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Global Insurgency to Reestablish the Caliphate; Identifying and Understanding the Enemy
From the thesis abstract: "Since the attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States (US) has waged a Global War on Terror (GWOT) based upon the flawed strategy of countering a tactic, terrorism, as opposed to a strategy built on understanding and identifying its enemy. By focusing exclusively on terrorist organizations, the US failed to recognize the broader-based movement of establishing a dominant Islamic world power. Analysis should have been conducted encompassing the ways, means and ends of a known adversary, such as Islamic fundamentalists. Using this group as a source of comparison, this monograph demonstrates how other diverse groups, operating with different ideological ways but using similar means of technology, are attempting to achieve a common ends; the reestablishment of the Caliphate. There is no ―one thing�- that causes, allows or facilitates the situation. It is the relationship between the various actors, agents and artifacts that contributes to understanding the system and creates the environment where conflict is probable. Germane to this article is the assemblage of Western culture based on a liberal-democratic politics and an Islamic culture based on the Qur'an, Shari'a and the Sunnah. Where these two cultures meet there is, to quote Huntington, a - 'Clash of Civilizations'. Where GWOT focuses on countering a tactic, terrorism, it fails to address the ideology which draws upon Islam for its legitimacy. It requires critically analyzing how Islam is able to give some form of legitimacy to those who would do Western nations harm, and how groups not normally seen as adversaries hold to the same theocratic ideology."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Strauss, David A.
2009-05-21
