Preparing for the Unexpected - Smaller-Scale Contingencies (SSC)
Abstract
For the purposes of this paper, smaller-scale contingencies are defined as the deployment of military forces in support of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations with the capability to respond to defined and perceived threats within the deployed region. This paper will examine each of the categories and subcategories of SSC, explore opposition to the military's execution of SSC, and detail some of the changes necessary to executed effectively national security strategy. The purpose of this paper is not to suggest that the United States has engaged in its last MTW. It was Napoleon who said, "Uncertainty is the essence of war; surprise its rule." I am a believer that it is best to attack when the would-be adversary is least prepared. Military history is rich with surprise attacks and preserving the United States' conventional military superiority is vital if for no other reason than deterrence. My argument is that today's geo-strategic landscape is producing less interstate war and more intrastate conflicts that pose potential threats to regional stability and require U.S. involvement in executing SSC. In this new geo-strategic context, we may, therefore, need to revisit our national military strategy of two nearly simultaneous MTWs. The probability of our engagement in SSC far exceeds the likelihood of MTW.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA432645
Entities
People
- Christine B. Knighton
Organizations
- National Defense University