Strategic Approach to the Maritime-Continental Strategy Debate.

摘要

This report addresses the historical and conceptual dimensions of the maritime-continental strategy debate as a conflict between two divergent approaches to national strategy development. The discussion first traces the origins of the conflict, and then analyzes the contending maritime and continental schools in terms of the strategic criteria of definition of the strategic problem, strategic purpose and approach, escalation control, and the strategic center of gravity. That framework draws heavily upon classic geopolitical thought, as well as several pertinent concepts of Clausewitz. Resolution is suggested through elaboration of those same criteria. The study concludes with a discussion of policy and force development implications.