Media: A Line of Operation for Urban Combat on the Operational Level
Abstract
Understanding and leveraging the news media has become critical for operational-level commanders conducting urban combat operations. The insatiable public appetite for information has created conditions in which tactical actions can have severe strategic repercussions because of media reporting. In the 21st century, the operational-level commander conducting urban combat operations must clearly understand the influence that the news media has on operational success. Media influences on world public opinion can now change the traditional model of warfare described by Clausewitz's trinity. World public opinion, influenced by the media, is now a fourth factor in influencing war, modifying the trinity into a diamond. Therefore, operational-level commanders must address the media in their planning and operations. Adding the media as a line of operation for planning and establishing media crisis teams will allow the commander to consider media coverage, or the media battle space, throughout an operation. This ensures that planners will develop the media battle space as an integral part of the urban kinetic fight. The author examines the battles of Hue during the Vietnam War and Fallujah during the Iraqi insurgency through the lenses of the reporting cycle, public perception, and military doctrine to demonstrate the new significance of the media in 21st century urban combat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA470699
Entities
People
- Erik Krivda
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College