Global War Game: Second Series, 1984-1988
Abstract
This is the second in a series of monographs synthesizing the primary sources to provide a concise, chronological summary and analysis of the prestigious Global War Games, hosted in Newport from 1979 until after the fall of the Soviet Union. The first monograph was "Global War Game: The First Five Years," published as Newport Paper 4 in 1993. Planning and research is underway to complete the history of the Global series. This Newport Paper, "Global War Game: Second Series, 1984-1988," summarizes the games played at the Naval War College for three weeks each summer of the years 1984-1988. These games examined the ability of the United States/NATO to sustain conventional warfare with the Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact until full mobilization of the nation's resources could be achieved. Through a sustained set of sequential and interlocking games, the Global process identified a number of important and controversial findings. For instance, these games pointed to the importance of offensive action, including maritime operations; the ability of Blue (the West, broadly speaking) to win without resorting to nuclear weapons; and the extensive planning necessary to conduct high-intensity combat over a lengthy period. Fortunately for the United States and the world, the 1984-88 era was the penultimate period during which Global games would take place in the shadow of superpower conflict. The issues that were pervasive throughout can be summarized as follows: What are the political, war fighting, logistical, and mobilization factors that determine the United States/NATO capability to sustain conventional warfare against the Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact until the full military, industrial, and personnel resources of the free world can be mobilized to secure victory?; and How best can United States/NATO maritime superiority be translated into strategic leverage useful in bringing the conflict to a successful conclusion?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430248
Entities
People
- Robert H. Gile
Organizations
- Naval War College