An American Way of Political Warfare: A Proposal
Abstract
American combat experiences since 2001 have revealed stunning military capabilities and repeated tactical successes. Yet the United States has failed to achieve acceptable and durable political arrangements that serve and protect U.S. interests, suggesting that there are fundamental flaws in its approach to modern warfare. The U.S. approach has emphasized existing and largely conventional models and tools, making little accommodation for a changing adversary and its evolution toward nonconventional means. The consequence has been troubled campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq; against the Islamic State; and against various irregular forces in Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and elsewhere. And the United States is unprepared to contest the nonconventional means being employed by revisionist, revolutionary, and rogue powers, which the U.S. National Security Strategy recognizes as engaged in "fundamentally political contests" employing a blend of political, economic, cyber, and military tools.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1084823
Entities
People
- Andrew M. Liepman
- Charles T. Cleveland
- Daniel Egel
- David Maxwell
- Ryan Crocker
Organizations
- RAND Corporation
- Smith Richardson Foundation