Characteristics of Successful U.S. Military Interventions
Abstract
What makes for a successful military intervention? Success is not an abstract concept; it depends on the specific political objectives pursued. From the history of the145 U.S. military interventions over the past century, we can gain an understanding of the objectives that have been successfully achieved and critical factors underlying those successes, notwithstanding how varied and complex these interventions have been.1 Relatively little prior analysis is available to policymakers and defense planners as to what has contributed to success. Understanding the specific factors most likely to contribute to a successful intervention would be of great advantage to policymakers charged with making decisions about where to intervene and planners responsible for planning those interventions. This report seeks to fill this gap through quantitative and qualitative analyses and to offer specific recommendations for any U.S. military interventions that may lie ahead.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1086693
Entities
People
- Alexandra Stark
- Bryan A. Frederick
- Edward Geist
- Jennifer Kavanagh
- Lynn E. Davis
- Matthew Povlock
- Meagan L. Smith
- Nathan Chandler
Organizations
- RAND Corporation