War Termination: A Bridge Too Short: Considerations for the Operational Commander

摘要

War termination strategies are not an issue of whether or not the nation shoulddevote sufficient military means to achieve the chosen political objectives. Conflict termination involves more than simply ending hostilities. It is a matter of effective coordination in development of objectives and strategies while at the same time linking the political leadership and the military commander to achieve the ends with the appropriate means. The American approach to military strategy has had a tendency to sever the links between military action and political objectives, and American military strategy has largely been awkward in its contribution towards achieving a better and lasting peace. This is in part due to having insufficient doctrinal guidance to achieve the ends as described by the policy maker. It is also because current doctrine and policy does not cause us to think through the implications of successfully achieving our objectives. The operational commander must be skilled in maintaining a balance of military force and diplomatic initiation to preserve and reinforce our political objectives while, at the same time working the concerns of a defeated enemy or enemies to prohibit part two of the same conflict.