"Complex" Targeting: A Complexity-Based Theory of Targeting and Its Application to Radical Islamic Terrorism

Abstract

This thesis attempts to answer the following research questions: "What are the concepts and principles of a targeting theory based on Complexity theory?" "What are the principles and concepts of Complexity theory?" "What insights does Complexity theory provide for the military strategist?" Finally it asks, "What are the targeting implications for the war on terrorism using a Complexity-based targeting theory?" To answer these questions the study reviewed the literature of Systems, Chaos and Complexity theory that traces the broad historical sequence of systems theoretical thought and development. Information gained in this review was used to describe and explain each theory's main terms, concepts and principles and to establish a foundation for the targeting theory and its application to radical Islamic terrorism. This information was also used to explore the impact of nonlinear system theory as applied to conceptual thinking about warfare.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA420704

Entities

People

  • Kevin B. Glenn

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Crime
  • Employment
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Military Applications
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Societies
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.