Operational Ethics in Coalition Warfare: Whose Ethics Will Prevail. A philosophical/Theological Conundrum.

摘要

The United States military operational commander of the 21st century increasingly finds himself or herself engaged in a coalition operational environment. In order to achieve unity of effort, the operational commander must resolve the dilemma of determining whose operational ethics will prevail in a multi-cultural and multi-national environment. Ethical development and biases formed may be based on theological or philosophical tenets and represent a potential area of conflict during the coalition's operational war planning and decision-making cycle. This paper examines the beliefs and attitudes towards war of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the indigenous religions of Africa; Western and Eastern philosophers, Aristotle, Mill, Confucius, Storer, and Rand to illustrate the secular aspects of ethical development; and a brief discussion of Just War theory with points of commonality articulated. The paper proposes recommendations for ensuring coalition operational ethics and issues are considered in the planning and decision-making cycle.