Assisted Small War Missions: Low Profile Options Without Foreign Policy Commitment
Abstract
In the future, Small Wars should not be considered diminutive in duration, intensity, or strategic implication: they should be considered small only in the willingness of the USG to fight them. The United States approach to small wars should be adaptable. Like larger scale conflicts, the nature of small war is immutable; however the characteristics of every small war are unique. Every small war problem is different. Commensurately, American military responses should be tailored to a specific solution. Tailored solutions to small wars require a specific task organized force capable of executing a difficult task. Although small wars are fought at the tactical level, they are won at the operational and strategic level. Instead of building a small war force from the bottom up, it should be designed from the top down. A Small War Advisory Headquarters would advise a host nation military in an expeditionary Security Force Assistance role, leveraging inherent planning and command and control capabilities, in a low profile posture without constituting irreversible foreign policy commitment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1178759
Entities
People
- Michael B Weber
Organizations
- Marine Corps University