Operational Art in Limited War Termination: The Bridge Between the Strategic andOperational Levels of War

摘要

The effective application of operational art is critical to the successfultermination of a limited war by the U.S. Despite this role, guidance regarding the application of operational art to termination in a limited war is meager. This paper focuses on the high-level bridge between the strategic and operational levels that is necessary to achieve successful termination. Theoretical synopses regarding the unique characteristics of limited war, war termination theory, and negotiating theory are provided. Practical issues/steps regarding the bridge from the strategic to the operational level are explored based upon the noted theories. The validity of the practical thought in the paper is tested through an examination of termination in the Korean War. Based upon arguments in the paper, it is clear that successful termination in a limited war cannot be achieved without the effective application of operational art at the strategic/operational level of war. It is also clear that the operational commander is uniquely positioned to review the ability of the military instrument to deliver the political object. Recommendations entail an expansion of doctrine to include a broader discussion of war termination issues. War termination, Limited war, Operational art, Strategy, Operational commander.