Ethnic Violence in Moldolva
Abstract
The Moldovan Transdniester War of 1992 is illustrative of modern day ethno-national violence and yields unique lessons on the role and use of military power in dealing with and resolving such crises. Indecisive and necessary are two words that perhaps best typify the role that the armed forces played in this war. The full spectrum of military operations proved necessary to address this complex dilemma. The conflict provides many insights for developing U. S. Military doctrine and force structure to resolve revolutionary, civil, and insurgent wars. The Moldovan Military did not possess a truly full spectrum force; they were incapable of conducting high intensity tactical assault despite having air supremacy and artillery superiority. A lack of part of the modem combined arms force, tanks and assault guns, in the Moldovan military stymied any effective battalion or brigade level offensive operations. The insurgent Transdniester forces had a small amount of armor from the Russian 14th Army and easily defeated the mechanized infantry and anti-tank defenses of the Moldovans; the defenses were equally ineffective in both built-up areas and open terrain when the Moldovans fought the combined arms forces of the Transdniester. Strategically, both parties in the conflict used all of the instruments of national power with varying success in pursuing their respective goals; neither side was very effective. The Transdniester is not a recognized nation and Moldova has lost control of nearly all of its industrial territory; ethnic unrest escalated rather receded when the military was employed to keep the peace.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA403991
Entities
People
- Keith A. Barclay
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College