The Persion Gulf War: A "Storm" Too Short
Abstract
An examination of the conceptual framework for war termination provides a foundation for an assessment of war termination in the Persian Gulf War. The successful accomplishment of the military objectives of Operation DESERT STORM - targeted at Iraqi centers of gravity are assessed as having achieved the national political objectives established by the President. Most significantly, the political aim of ensuring the peace and stability of the region is determined to have been best achieved by not destroying the regime of Saddam Hussein; and termination of the ground offensive after only 100 hours allowed major element of the Republican Guard to escape, yet still served to accomplish U.S. military and political objectives. Finally, the war offers the operational-level commander some considerations for war termination in future conflict, to include: (1) communications that provide the National Command Authority with real-time battlefield information and the impact of that capability on decision making; (2) the critical importance of training/educating officers to function on the staffs of the Unified Combatant Commanders; (3) concerns about retention of domestic support; (4) the need for doctrine addressing war/conflict termination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA266649
Entities
People
- Paul W. Trotti
Organizations
- Naval War College