Enhancing the Strategic Application of Effects-Based Operations Concepts

Abstract

Our National Security Strategy summarizes the complexities of our world stating that the U.S. must use the most appropriate tool or combination of tools - diplomatic, informational, military, and economic. We must act in alliance or partnership with others, but will act unilaterally when compelling national interests so demand. Regardless of when, why, or how we assert our influence around the globe, the U.S. must develop a system that integrates and synchronizes our various elements of power in a way that maximizes the potential for achieving the desired effects, while minimizing the associated costs and risks in attempting the same. This paper will examine how effects-based operations (EBO) can provide the critical common frame of reference that will enable effective integration of our national elements of power. We will define the concept of EBO, examine how it might apply in the global environment of today and that of the not-too-distant future. We will look at how it relates to the effective application of our national elements of power to achieve desired strategic effects, and then identify some of the gaps and weaknesses in our current civil-military command structure that could impede the harmonious application of our national elements of power.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA400767

Entities

People

  • Charles B. Miller

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of State
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Interagency Coordination
  • International Organizations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Terrorists
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies