Boots on the Ground - Will U.S. Landpower be Decisive in Future Conflicts

摘要

Recent conflicts have demonstrated the enormous capabilities and advantages of aerospace and seapower in waging war. As a result, many strategic scholars and military decision makers believe that there is a new way of warfare, one in which land forces are no longer the decisive element in winning a conflict. The scholars believe future wars are won by precision, long-range strikes that coerce the enemy into surrender or acceptance of U.S. terms. This study will examine these views and the application of military power in recent conflicts. It will also analyze the employment of military power in current, and future conflicts. This study confirms that U.S. landpower will still be decisive in future conflicts and that it has not been displaced by a 'new way of warfare'.