A Shield of Blows or Rubber Dagger: An Analysis of an Operational Concept for NATO after Forward Defense.

Abstract

The purpose of this monograph is to answer following the question: what is a viable operational concept for the conventional defense of NATO in the Central Region after forward defense? This monograph shows how forward defense made sense given the strategic situation, ends, means, ways, and risk of the Cold War era. Then, given the same criteria, this study identifies the need for a replacement operational concept. Next, requirements for NATOs new operational concept are drawn from the analysis and measured against a possible replacement concept, resilient defense. Resilient defense is offered as a possible replacement operational concept. Resilient defense is a term given to a concept characterized by its flexibility, concept of belts for force disposition, multinational corps, and attempts to address NATO's changing environment. This study concludes that resilient defense can provide NATO a viable operational concept in a time of great transition and uncertainty.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 12, 1991
Accession Number
ADA240210

Entities

People

  • Mark R. French

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central Europe
  • Climate Change
  • Cold War
  • Europe
  • European Communities
  • Germany
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • National Security
  • Nato
  • Resilience
  • Security
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies