War, Politics, and RMA- The Legacy of Clausewitz
Abstract
Over the last few years practitioners and students of war alike have debated the nature and impact of the revolution in military affairs (RMA) on future war, especially with its emphasis on speed, precision, and intelligence rather than the mass production and target saturation so characteristic of industrial-age warfare. Moreover, analysts have pondered the impact of RMA on the structure and philosophy of the Army of the 21st century, conflicts short of war, and information warfare. All of these observers agree that even though older forms of war will continue to coexist with newer ones, RMA, when complete, will mean that future war will differ fundamentally from wars of the past. It will include more intelligent warriors, knowledge-oriented weaponry, a five-dimensional battlefield (namely, breadth, depth, height, space, and time--the ability and subsequent need to act within an enemy's decision cycle), global envelopment, capabilities to attack simultaneously and precisely on the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, and an explicit "civilianization of war" in terms of increased direct and indirect public participation. In addition, RMA will likely challenge statecraft as diplomats adapt to the flow of real-time data, its effect on public opinion, and the uncertain political capabilities and limits of future war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA525143
Entities
People
- Antulio J. Echevarria Ii
Organizations
- National Defense University