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Prism Vol. 4, No. 4, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This volume explores critical global security issues and evolving geopolitical dynamics. It opens with an analysis of Egypt’s political transformation and a reflection on U.S.-Taliban negotiations. Other features address the rising threat of strategic terrorism, the hybrid nature of modern conflicts, and the importance of state legitimacy in foreign operations. Discussions on rules of engagement, the meaning of victory, and the shifting roles of armed forces provide further insight into contemporary military challenges. The "From the Field" section examines corruption and organized crime in Afghanistan. The volume concludes with book reviews on global power shifts and gender in warfare, and …

Next Steps In Syria, Judith S. Yaphe

Strategic Forums

Nearly 3 years since the start of the Syrian civil war, no clear winner is in sight. Assassinations and defections of civilian and military loyalists close to President Bashar al-Asad, rebel success in parts of Aleppo and other key towns, and the spread of violence to Damascus itself suggest that the regime is losing ground to its opposition. The tenacity of government forces in retaking territory lost to rebel factions, such as the key town of Qusayr, and attacks on Turkish and Lebanese military targets indicate, however, that the regime can win because of superior military equipment, especially airpower and …

Crisis Stability And Nuclear Exchange Risks On The Subcontinent: Major Trends And The Iran Factor, Thomas F. Lynch Iii

INSS Strategic Perspectives

Crisis stability—the probability that political tensions and low-level conflict will not erupt into a major war between India and Pakistan—is less certain in 2013 than at any time since their sequential nuclear weapons tests of 1998. India’s vast and growing spending on large conventional military forces, at least in part as a means to dissuade Pakistan’s tolerance of (or support for) insurgent and terrorist activity against India, coupled with Pakistan’s post-2006 accelerated pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons as a means to offset this Indian initiative, have greatly increased the risk of a future Indo-Pakistani military clash or terrorist incident escalating …

Joint Force Quarterly 71 (4th Quarter, October 2013), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

External Collaboration In Army Science And Technology: The Army’S Research Alliances, John W. Lyons, James A. Ratches

Defense and Technology Papers

In this study, the authors examine the decision for Army Research Laboratories to engage in external, formal collaborations such as collaborative alliances. They go on to assess ARL Collaborative Technology Alliances (CTAs), Collaborative Research Alliances (CRAs), and Information Technology Alliance (ITAs). The report concludes by examining the effectiveness of the examples given above, and a recommendation for formulating a set of assessment questions for Army managers considering collaboration in the future.

Chance Favors Only The Prepared Mind:” The Proper Role For U.S. Department Of Defense Science And Engineering Workforce, Timothy Coffey

Defense and Technology Papers

This publication provides critical recommendations for managing the DoD’s 130,000 person Science and Technology workforce through a period of growing fiscal and geopolitical ambiguity. The report outlines a strategy that: prioritizes lessons learned through hands-on experience; cultivates practices that identify and support the most promising trends in technology and research; promotes advocacy for worthy programs, and; develops a process for ensuring competent “third parties” determine a fair price for acquisition and development. It concludes by urging the DoD return to a prudently managed, conservative S&T strategy that emphasizes workforce recruitment and training, adequate funding for research and development, and increased …

Joint Force Quarterly 70 (3rd Quarter, July 2013), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

Sharing To Succeed: Lessons From Open Information-Sharing Projects In Afghanistan, Linton Wells Ii, James Bosworth, John Crowley, Rebecca Linder Blachly

Defense Horizons

The sharing of information in complex civil-military operations1 is important, yet actors rarely do it well. U.S. and allied military forces must be able to communicate, collaborate, and exchange information effectively with the local populations they seek to influence, or they cannot achieve the goals for which they have been committed. Nonetheless, experience from stability operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, numerous humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions, and efforts to build the capacity of foreign partners suggest that effective information-sharing is much harder than might be expected. This paper sheds light on the difficulties of setting up and sustaining projects to share …

Joint Force Quarterly 69 (2nd Quarter, April 2013), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

Organizational Analysis Of The Tides Project And The Star-Tides Network Using The 7-S Framework, Paul T. Bartone, Mark Vaitkus, Kathleen Jocoy, Jocelyn V. Bartone, Linton Wells Ii, Linda M. Wells

Defense and Technology Papers

This paper gives an in-depth organizational analysis of STAR-TIDES, a special project of CTNSP. STAR-TIDES is an open-network, global organization, a form that is increasingly common in the digital age. This report identifies the core “7-S” factors in STAR-TIDES (Strategy, Structure, Systems, Staffing, Skills, Style, and Shared values), with recommendations for improved performance. Results provide a template for how to conduct a 7-S organizational analysis.

The New Nato Policy Guidelines On Counterterrorism: Analysis, Assessments, And Actions, Stefano Santamato

INSS Strategic Perspectives

The history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will say that the first, and so far only, time NATO has called upon its Article 5 collective defense clause was on September 12, 2001, following a terrorist attack on one of its members. Yet, until the agreement by NATO Heads of State and Government on the new policy guidelines on counterterrorism on May 20, 2012, NATO did not have an agreed policy to define its role and mandate in countering terrorism.

Some Recent Sensor – Related Army Critical Technology Events, James A. Ratches, Richard Chait, John W. Lyons

Defense and Technology Papers

Some Recent Sensor-Related Army Critical Technology Events, James A. Ratches, Richard Chait, and John W. Lyons examined current Critical Technology Events (CTEs) that are new or ongoing in US Army Science and Technology (S&T) community. CTEs are ideas, concepts, models and analyses, including key technical and managerial decisions, which have had a major impact on the development of a specific weapons system. The five on-going projects within the Army S&T portfolio selected for inclusion in the report are the Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided munitions, Excalibur; the persistent surveillance platform, Global Hawk; Unattended Transient Acoustic/Artillery MASINT System (UTAMS); the thermal imaging …

Joint Force Quarterly 68 (1st Quarter, January 2013), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

Prism Vol. 4, No. 2, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This journal volume consists of featured articles that examine critical global issues, beginning with an analysis of U.S. interests in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and strategies for safeguarding these interests. Additional articles delve into military and interagency readiness. This includes discussions on civilian protection in an evolving military environment, the role of defense in building partner capabilities, and the complex relationship between economics and security. The "From the Field" section provides a detailed examination of Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation program as an innovative approach to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. The "Lessons Learned" section reflects on enduring insights from a decade …

Suggestions For Evaluating The Quality Of The Army’S Science And Technology Program: The Portfolio And Its Execution, John W. Lyons, Richard Chait, James A. Ratches

Defense and Technology Papers

This paper presents a methodology discussing the goal of establishing the strongest possible technology program appropriately aligned to the needs of its customers and the expectations of its stakeholders. The first chapter presents the essential elements of the Army S&T portfolio followed by discussions of the Army S&T portfolio and the evaluation of it.

Strategic Shift: Appraising Recent Changes In U.S. Defense Plans And Priorities, Richard L. Kugler, Linton Wells Ii

Books and Book Chapters

This paper examines major changes in U.S. defense plans and priorities that the Department of Defense (DOD) has issued through high level strategy and other guidance documents during 2012 and the beginning of 2013. It recommends that DOD “double down” in its pursuit of globally integrated operations through joint force integration in the context of the Capstone Concept for Joint Operations and the cross-domain synergy needed to operate effectively in the face of sophisticated adversaries.

Prism Vol. 4, No. 3, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This volume pens with remarks by U.S. President Barack Obama at the National Defense University, addressing key issues in national security. The featured articles examine topics such as the evolving role of secret intelligence, the unique challenges faced by military and global leaders, and the transformation of Special Operations Forces (SOF) within global networks. Further discussions include the complexities of stabilization and reconstruction, shifting U.S. strategies in Central America’s Northern Triangle and the Asia-Pacific region, and a proposed taxonomy of military structures worldwide. The "From the Field" section highlights the role of Joint Deployable Training Teams, while the "Lessons Learned" …

Changing Mindsets To Transform Security: Leader Development For An Unpredictable And Complex World, Linton Wells Ii, Theodore C. Hailes, Michael C. Davies

Books

This book is a compilation of papers and discussions from the Third International Transformation Conference and Workshop on Leader Development in Washington, DC, on June 19-20, 2013. The event was sponsored by the NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, hosted at the National Defense University, and supported by the International Transformation Chairs Network.

With a decade of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan nearing the end, one of the many lessons learned from these wars has been the importance of leader development, and how leaders must be adaptable enough to meet the contemporary and emerging security challenges. Thus, the Professional Military …

Prism Vol. 4, No. 1, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This volume offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary global security challenges, civil-military relations, and strategic responses to emerging threats. The Features section begins with Zoltan Barany’s examination of how to establish democratic armies, followed by Hans-Jürgen Kasselmann’s analysis of civil-military cooperation as a tool for managing complex crises. Christian Bayer Tygesen addresses the civil-military imbalance in Afghanistan and its implications for democratization, while Frank J. Cilluffo and Joseph R. Clark provide insights into understanding and countering strategic hybrid threats. R. Evan Ellis shifts the focus to transnational crime, detailing the rise of Chinese organized crime in Latin America, and Chiemi …

Joint Force Quarterly 67 (4th Quarter, October 2012), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

Building Future Transatlantic Interoperability Around A Robust Nato Response Force, Charles Barry

Transatlantic Currents

Interoperability is as much or more about human teamwork than it is about compatible machines and processes. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operational deployments, without respite since 1992,1 have spawned a nascent culture of multinational planning and operational teamwork among a host of militaries. This coalition culture is emerging in the same way as the joint operations culture has grown across the U.S. military since the watershed Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986.

Prism Vol. 3, No. 4, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This issue of PRISM examines the complexities of modern conflict, stabilization, and military strategy. The Features section explores the future of Syria after Asad, the importance of sociocultural analysis in contemporary security environments, and the evolution of irregular threats. Additional articles discuss the challenges of building host-nation police forces, the logistics of global military supply chains, and the dilemmas of stabilization efforts. Lessons from Vietnam and Afghanistan provide insight into U.S. political-military strategy, while a critique of the "American way of war" questions the effectiveness of current military doctrines. The Lessons Learned section analyzes civilian harm in Operation Enduring Freedom–Philippines …

Non-Traditional Security Threats And Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation, James M. Keagle

Defense and Technology Papers

The purpose of this paper is for the better understanding of the security challenges and opportunities for expanded cooperation through global regional efforts to manage our planet and govern its inhabitants more responsibly.

Joint Force Quarterly 66 (3rd Quarter, July 2012), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.

Widening Gaps In U.S. And European Defense Capabilities And Cooperation, Charles Barry, Hans Binnendijk

Transatlantic Currents

This assessment is a synthesis of recent research projects at the National Defense University (NDU). These projects included consultations with think tanks, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Allied Command Transformation, the International Staff and U.S. Mission, and U.S. Military Delegation at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and U.S. European Command (USEUCOM). Document analysis included review of the 2011 Capability Surveys from the NATO Defense Planning Process and Defense Intelligence Agency reports on allied capability projections. We conferred with U.S. Defense Attachés and Office of Defense Cooperation representatives in …

Report Of An Army Workshop On Convergence Forecasting: Mechanochemical Transduction, Douglas Kiserow, David Stepp, Stephen Lee, Peter Reynolds

Defense and Technology Papers

This is an assessment of the Mechanochemical Transduction Convergence Workshop sponsored by the Army Research Office which took place in January 2012. The workshop was a test case for identifying convergences of disciplines and their potential impact on science and the Army. The chief objective of the workshop was the identify the most promising research opportunities and interdisciplinary convergences that could lead the field of mechanochemical transduction in new direction with unexpected outcomes that would be relevant to future Army needs.

Offshore Control: A Proposed Strategy For An Unlikely Conflict, T.X. Hammes

Strategic Forums

As America ends its military commitment to Iraq and continues its drawdown in Afghanistan, a lively discussion has emerged on what future challenges the Nation faces. High on every list is the requirement to deal with a rising China. In his remarks to the Australian Parliament on November 17, 2011, President Barack Obama stated, “As we end today’s wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and mission in the Asia Pacific a top priority.” As part of this rebalancing to Asia, the administration has stated that it seeks “to identify and expand areas of common …

Prism Vol. 3, No. 3, Center For Complex Operations

PRISM (Full PDF Issues)

This issue of PRISM examines military support for democracy, the challenges of counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy, and the effectiveness of interagency coordination in complex operations. Additional articles critique traditional state-building models, highlight systemic failures in development initiatives, and discuss best practices for advising institution-building efforts. Lessons from Afghanistan provide new approaches to operational assessments, while an analysis of Kenya’s involvement in Somalia warns of strategic risks. The issue also considers the financial trade-offs between security and broader national priorities.

In From the Field, an assessment of Village Stability Operations and the Afghan Local Police offers insights into local security initiatives. An …

Combating Transnational Organized Crime: Strategies And Metrics For The Threat, Samuel Musa

Defense and Technology Papers

This paper provides an overview of the strategic and policy initiatives that the United States and international community have taken, including an assessment of the TOC threat. The overview is followed by the metrics developed to evaluate the relative magnitude and direction of the threat of a 5-year period.

Joint Force Quarterly 65 (2nd Quarter, April 2012), National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly ARCHIVES

No abstract provided.