War Termination: The Quest for the Desired End State

摘要

Before the end of the Cold War, conflict termination was usually a result of theannihilation of your enemy or occupation of your adversary's country. Since the end of the Cold War, US objectives for committing forces to resolve a conflict have become more limited and are often centered on US values such as human rights and the promotion of democracy. Therefore, it has become more difficult for the commander to identify or achieve the desired end state that may provide for an enduring peace. What is often the case is the commander will achieve the military objective that will provide the requisite leverage to cease hostilities but the conflict will continue. Desert Storm is an example of this and a possible explanation to why we are still engaged in Iraq is offered. This paper identifies three areas that are difficult either for identifying or achieving the desired end state. The three areas are; the adversary's background, proper planning, and clear political objectives. The areas were identified by examining three conflicts; JUST CAUSE, DESERT STORM, and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. To assist the commander in planning it is recommended to incorporate campaign planning direction given in Joint Publication 3-0 with the commonly recognized phases of a dispute; dispute, pre-hostility, hostilities, post-conflict, dispute and settlement. By combining the two, the commander can better apply operational art such as branches and sequels to arrive at strategic aims.