Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

When Does Gray Zone Confrontation End? A Conceptual Analysis, Lukas Milevski

Joint Force Quarterly

The gray zone remains one of the most fashionable strategic concepts of the past few years in the United States, it encapsulates a particular subset of international relations, in the process affecting the ideational distinction between war and peace. While the gray zone concept may have negligible strategic-analytical merit, its high social utility persists and should be recognized.

Executive Summary, William T. Eliason

Joint Force Quarterly

As you work through some of the pressing issues facing the joint force, we are here to help your ideas get a complete and full airing out. The only way we can change is to help each other to see the need to do so and then suggest a proper path to that new future. We need you to help be a good wingman and show us how to succeed.

Defending An Achilles’ Heel: Evolving Warfare In The Philippines, 1941–1945, Robert S. Burrell

Joint Force Quarterly

The Pacific War during World War II provided valuable lessons in military strategy and the importance of unconventional warfare. Japan’s aggressive expansion in the 1930s and 1940s left to a major conflict with the United States over control of the Philippine Islands. Japan’s advancements in naval technology, including the largest battleships and superior night combat tactics, allowed them to invade the Philippines in December 1941. Filipino resistance against Japanese occupation grew, with various local groups using guerilla warfare tactics to fight back. These resistance movements played a crucial role in opposing Japanese forces. Intelligence operations were also vital. U.S. submarines …

The New Makers Of Modern Strategy, Walter M. Hudson

Joint Force Quarterly

This book offers 45 essays that explore the evolution of strategic thinking from ancient times to today. The book is divided into five sections, each covering a different historical period. This volume brings together military history, political science, and international relations to discuss key strategic ideas and figures, from early strategic thinkers to modern-day challenges like nuclear strategy. It focuses on the importance of nation-states and their ongoing competition. It emphasizes the lasting importance of strategic thinking. The book provides valuable insights for today’s policymakers and strategists.

Seeking The Bomb, Tobias Bernard Switzer

Joint Force Quarterly

After nearly 80 years of scholarship on nuclear weapons, one might understandably believe that all the important issues have been addressed, if not settled. However, Vipin Narang, professor of political science at MIT, has a knack for asking and answering questions that other nuclear strategy researchers have overlooked. Whereas most academic work looks at superpowers, Narang’s book Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era: Regional Powers and International Conflict (Princeton University Press, 2014) examines how the strategic deterrence postures of non-superpower nuclear states differ from those of superpowers. And now, in his latest, Seeking the Bomb, he extracts insights from studying …

Beyond Ukraine, Dwight "Buzz" Phillips

Joint Force Quarterly

This book is a collection of essays by leading defense theorists, exploring warfare's future due to recent conflicts and technological advancements. The book is divided into four topics: the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, future war landscapes, military innovation, and the nature of future conflicts. Authors tackle questions about war’s nature and the evolving character of warfare. This highlights the necessity of broad, interdisciplinary thinking to grasp the complex and changing nature of war.

Commander’S Critical Information Requirements: Crucial For Decisionmaking And Joint Synchronization, Christopher R. Bolton, Matthew R. Prescott

Joint Force Quarterly

Effective decision-making in modern joint military operations demands timely access to critical information. Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIRs) address this challenge by identifying and prioritizing essential information for operational decisions. This article proposes enhancing CCIR development aligned with decision points across planning horizons using a backward-planning methodology supported by tools like the Decision Support Matrix (DSM). It also explores integrating CCIRs within the intelligence collection and analysis cycle to align intelligence efforts with operational goals across Joint Planning Process (JPP) phases. This article aims to strengthen decision-making processes and enhance operational outcomes in joint military operations.

Mission (Command) Complete: Implications Of Jadc2, Joseph M. Mcgiffin

Joint Force Quarterly

Command and control (C2) is crucial in military operations, guiding how authority directs missions. As warfare evolves with AI, hypersonic weapons, and autonomous platforms, the U.S. military is advancing its Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC) initiatives. This effort aims to unify military networks for better decision-making. This article explores challenges in adapting Joint C2 networks for JADC2. It compares new technologies with current military practices, highlighting where changes are needed. Key areas include strategic planning, tactical operations, and how JADC2 affects mission command. Recommendations focus on improving readiness for future conflicts by enhancing interoperability and decision-making across military branches.

The Ppwt And Ongoing Challenges To Arms Control In Space, Brian Britt

Joint Force Quarterly

On January 11, 2007, China tested an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile, destroying a weather satellite and creating about 35,000 pieces of orbital debris, the largest debris event in history. This highlighted the vulnerability of space assets and the need for effective space arms control. Despite proposals like the 2008 PPWT by China and Russia, effective agreements are hindered by verification challenges and diverse ASAT technologies. The 2014 EU Code of Conduct failed to gain consensus. The 2022 U.S. ban on direct-ascent ASAT tests is a positive step but doesn’t address all threats. The UN’s guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer …

The Other Arctic: Competition, Cooperation, Or Coexistence?, John B. Kelley, Christopher J. Sarton, Scott A. Curtice, Charles C. York Iii

Joint Force Quarterly

In Antarctica, the United States must mitigate risks stemming from competitive influences working to alter the current paradigms, but it also should seize the opportunities that Antarctica’s unique status affords. As climate change continues to open new opportunities in polar regions, international concern has grown over the potential for the future irresponsible use of the area by actors more concerned with military and economic advantage than conservation efforts. Apprehension over the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s activities raises more significant concerns that Antarctica may become a region of military competition instead of global cooperation. This apprehension is well-founded but not …

Analysis On Development Trend Of Global Hypersonic Technology, Xiaorong Huang, Yunwei Chen, Haichen Zhou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Hypersonic technology is a key technology in the aerospace field in the future and is of very important strategic and forward-looking significance. Using bibliometric methods, it is found that research on hypersonic technology is mainly concentrated in the military field, among which power propulsion technology, navigation guidance and control technology, thermal protection technology and new materials are important research directions in this field. After sorting out the research and development situation of various countries, it is found that the relevant core technologies related to the development of hypersonic weapons are still the focus of future research. At the same time, …

Dod’S Need For A Transportable Energy Solution: The Promise Of Nuclear Power, Aaron Horwood, Juan Vitali, Ruddie Ibanez, Travis Knight

Joint Force Quarterly

Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, the Federal Government’s use of diesel generators exposed the limitations of renewable energy for large-scale operational needs of the Department of Defense (DoD). Solar and wind are impractical and costly for such demands, and green and synthetic fuels face significant supply chain challenges unless produced on-site. Transportable nuclear reactors, proven effective by the Navy, can produce large quantities of synthetic fuel and reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains. Expanding the DoD’s nuclear capabilities offers reliable, transportable energy, enhancing military logistics, reducing costs, and supporting emissions reduction efforts.

Supporting People With Policy And Platforms: The Key To Acquisition Reform, Matthew B. Cook

Joint Force Quarterly

In the evolving landscape of AI and dual-use technologies, the DoD faces challenges in managing intellectual property (IP) and adapting acquisition strategies. Ellen Lord’s Software Acquisition Pathway highlights how commercial practices can advance DoD strategies through iterative development and collaboration. Flexible funding supports dynamic software projects. Training improvements aim to enhance skills with a focus on hands-on learning. The Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) and Acquisition Instructor Course offer immersive training for leaders at different career stages. Internationally, the UK’S 2009 Gray Report emphasizes significant investments in acquisition training. To respond effectively to evolving threats, the DoD must reform acquisition …

Implementing The Chairman’S Guidance On Experiential Learning In Pme Classrooms, Justin Anderson, Paige P. Price

Joint Force Quarterly

Professional Military Education (PME) faces the challenge of teaching timeless military strategy principles while addressing contemporary strategic needs. To address this, the article proposes a three-part simulated negotiation exercise, to be completed over two class sessions, focusing on trilateral nuclear arms control talks involving the United States, China, and Russia. Students are pre-assigned to delegations, provided with strategic readings, and instructed on their state’s negotiation goals. This simulation enhances understanding of major power competition, strategic communication, and international diplomacy, providing hands-on experience in balancing national priorities within a competitive geopolitical environment.

2040 Vision: Designing Uk Defence For Advantage In A Competitive Age, Peter Rowell, Joe Fossey

Joint Force Quarterly

Concepts are not the whole answer. But they are the first essential step to identify the characteristics and interrelationships of our complex challenges and illuminate options more clearly. They help us think all the way around the problem. Concepts embody the important creative and clear thinking that is necessary before tough choices (and sometimes compromises) are made. The plans of action must be developed and implemented swiftly thereafter. The Five Eyes’ involvement in the Globally Integrated Wargame (GIWG) series has opened a network of partnerships that encourages us to ask better and more challenging questions. Some of the most helpful …

Breaking The Shield: Countering Drone Defenses, Zachary Kallenborn, Marcel Plichta

Joint Force Quarterly

The article begins with an overview of drone defenses, with an emphasis on how they operate, and the trade-offs involved. The article then looks at countermeasures to drone defenses, surveying 11 different approaches to breaking the drone shield. The emphasis is on an overview to understand the scope of the possibilities and the potential trade-offs associated with each approach. Countering drone defenses depends entirely on which ones are employed and prove most effective, so the value of specific counter-countermeasures will change over time. We next present policy recommendations that emphasize understanding adversary drone defenses; developing, assessing, and fielding counter-countermeasure approaches …

Accelerating Transition Of Biotechnology Products For Military Supply Chains, Henry S. Gibbons, Anna M. Crumbley

Joint Force Quarterly

The limited repertoire of the biomanufacturing industry in the 20th century pales in comparison to today’s biotechnology industry, in which advancements in the fields of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and robotics have resulted in the rapid expansion of small-scale production capabilities and the development of corresponding high-throughput experimentation platforms that accommodate both generation and downstream processing of biologically derived materials and are poised to revolutionize the way civilian and military sectors produce materials.

Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 113, 2nd Quarter 2024, National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly

JFQ is certainly the Chairman’s journal, but it exists solely to give voice to you and your ideas on the joint force, jointness in general, and how best to fight and win our Nation’s wars and secure the peace. For over 30 years, the best and brightest among us have sustained the dialogue within these pages, whether physical or virtual. Help us continue this great tradition by sending us your articles and adding to the growing body of knowledge that is Joint Force Quarterly.

"Study, Not Doctrine: Prioritizing History In Jpme, Thomas M. Duffy

Joint Force Quarterly

The article explores the unpredictable and uncertain nature of war, arguing that understanding war requires a descriptive rather than a predictive approach. Strategic forecasting often fails, and the true nature of war is often only clear in hindsight. By examining historical conflicts, we can anticipate challenges in future conflicts. The article seeks to determine the best way to study war to enhance the strategic judgment of future leaders. It emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective, focusing on the constantly changing character of war rather than the unchanging nature. A history-led approach can create a foundation for future military strategies.

Getting The Best Out Of Joint Warfighter Development, Charles Davis, Jeffrey Turner, Mary Bell

Joint Force Quarterly

The article explores whether the Department of Defense (DoD) is producing optimal joint warfighters for U.S. military operations. Joint warfighting, crucial for conducting effective joint operations, requires leaders with a joint mindset. The development of skilled joint warfighters hinges on three key elements: balanced Service representation, experienced faculty, and a rigorous curriculum. The Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) at the National Defense University exemplifies this integration, emphasizing proportional Service representation, faculty with extensive joint experience, and practical exercises to foster collaboration and interdependence. The article stresses the increasing need for joint warfighters capable of planning and executing complex, multidomain operations.

Taking Cues From Complexity: How Complex Adaptive Systems Prepare For All-Domain Operations, Benjamin Selzer

Joint Force Quarterly

How can a complex adaptive systems (CAS) model guide a Service when facing future challenges at the individual and Service/institutional levels? This article provides recommendations on how to address these challenges taken from the study of CAS. These studies can inform efforts to develop doctrine, education, training, planning, and eventual implementation of joint all-domain operations (JADO) doctrine.

Book Review: Age Of Danger: Keeping America Safe In An Era Of New Superpowers, New Weapons, And New Threats, John A. Nagl

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Authors: Andrew Hoehn and Thom Shanker

Reviewed by Dr. John A. Nagl, professor of warfighting studies, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, US Army War College

Dr. John A. Nagl overviews Andrew Hoehn and Thom Shanker’s contributions with their recent book, Age of Danger, which is “well worth readers’ attention.” Nagl describes Hoehn and Shanker’s emphasis on the importance and relationship between the US intelligence community and the US Department of Defense. His review also focuses on the US relationship with China and Russia, the latter of which is featured as “[t]he acute threat” in what Nagl calls …

Book Review: The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare On How Leaders Rise, Rule, And Fall, Zachary Griffiths

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Eliot A. Cohen

Reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griffiths, special assistant, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army

Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griffiths provides an insightful review of Professor Eliot A. Cohen’s book on leadership lessons through the lens of William Shakespeare’s work, a method that “helps readers see common challenges in new ways.” Griffiths describes Cohen’s structural approach to the book—a blend of modern examples with Shakespearean counterparts—and writes that The Hollow Crown’s “effective structure allows chapters to stand on their own while remaining part of a cohesive whole.” Griffiths also notes that “[a] deep appreciation …

Book Review: Cold Rivals: The New Era Of Us-China Strategic Competition, Jeffrey Reeves

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Editor: Evan S. Medeiros

Reviewed by Dr. Jeffrey Reeves, associate professor, Naval War College, Naval Postgraduate School

Naval War College associate professor Dr. Jeffrey Reeves provides a thoughtful critique of this anthology on relations between the United States and China. After a brief note on US-Chinese relations during the Trump and Biden-Harris administrations, Reeves offers suggestions for further reading and implies that the book, while providing a “historical account of US-China relations and [chronicling] its evolution,” is not unique in its contributions compared to similar literature, though he does praise two chapters on economics and technology that “stand out.”

Book Review: The Decline And Fall Of Republican Afghanistan, Whitney Grespin

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Authors: Ahmad Shuja Jamal and William Maley

Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Grespin, visiting research fellow, King's College London, UK Defence Academy; non-resident fellow, Joint Special Operations University; and Africa Regional Program Lead, DSCA/DSCU Institute for Security Governance

Foreign-policy expert Dr. Whitney Grespin reviews a “deservedly cutting reflection on mistakes made and lessons not learned during the Afghanistan War.” She notes the book’s “valuable perspective,” as one of the authors was in Kabul when it fell. Distilling the book’s contents into a detailed, useful overview, Grespin provides a helpful roadmap for readers interested in these topics and concludes the book is …

Executive Summary, William T. Eliason

Joint Force Quarterly

JFQ is certainly the Chairman’s journal, but it exists solely to give voice to you and your ideas on the joint force, jointness in general, and how best to fight and win our Nation’s wars and secure the peace. For over 30 years, the best and brightest among us have sustained the dialogue within these pages, whether physical or virtual. Help us continue this great tradition by sending us your articles and adding to the growing body of knowledge that is Joint Force Quarterly.

Coping With The Complexity Of The Changing Character Of War: Toward A New Paradigm Of Adaptive Peace, Cedric De Coning

New England Journal of Public Policy

The world has entered a period of heightened geopolitical instability that is compounded by climate change and the emergence of new technologies. The number of conflicts and related deaths are increasing. Dramatic failures in Afghanistan and elsewhere show that the mainstream approach to peace and conflict is no longer effective. The aim of this article is to contribute to re-thinking peace and security in two ways. First, by explaining why trying to influence complex social change process with a determined-design approach is self-defeating. Second, by introducing adaptive peace theory as a normative and functional approach to ending violent conflicts and …

Editor's Note, Padraig O'Malley

New England Journal of Public Policy

This issue of the New England Journal of Public Policy, with Lord John Alderdice as the guest editor, examines how, with the advent of sophisticated technologies and AI, the conduct of wars and peacemaking in the opening decades of the twenty-first century has changed, with implications for the future of both and society at large.

Muscat, Madrid, Ulster, And The Holy Land: The Medrc Model Of Environmental Peacebuilding In A Revived Middle East Peace Process, Ciarán Ó. Cuinn

New England Journal of Public Policy

Mandated to assist the Middle East peace process through environmental diplomacy, MEDRC, the last surviving institution of that process, has survived through an institutional and operational approach to conflict resolution separate from the rest of the process. Understanding its transferable approach is important in fields of environmental diplomacy and conflict resolution not only in the context of combating transboundary climate and environmental threats but of using these threats as entry points into a peace process. As the international community grapples with the need for a credible solution to the intractable conflict in Israel and Palestine, the MEDRC approach has implications …

Understanding The Indirect Strategy Moment In Global Affairs, Kumar Ramakrishna

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article argues that policymakers need to better grasp what can best be understood as the “indirect strategy moment” in global affairs. It explains what is meant by indirect strategy in the classical strategic thought, before analyzing how indirect strategy has already been applied in the post-Cold War era. The article will then illustrate how indirect strategy is being applied in the cyber, social media, and telecommunications domains, before arguing that adopting “indirect strategy lenses” appears to be rather important in order to better frame current and ongoing geostrategic developments across a range of issues and domains. A recurring theme …