Withdrawal from Conflict: Historical Lessons for the Future
Abstract
In his remarks to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in January 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates outlined the contemporary operating environment that our nation and its military is facing now and into the future. His remarks characterize our nation as in an era of persistent conflict where state and non-state actors will compete for power and control of resources along the fault lines of major power states spheres of influence. In this environment, the United States military will be used as an instrument of power to protect and secure our national interests and promote democratic ideals. Its efforts will help bring stability to a world that seeks to maintain equilibrium as it undergoes the changes associated with globalization, economic growth and the redistribution of power. In this complex and changing strategic environment, the United States will find itself involved in limited wars where our political objective is to establish order through the use of military force and then transition control of order to a host nation government and its security forces. Withdrawal from ongoing conflict is a policy decision and is executed once the desired policy objective is met. Declaring victory in this environment will not be clear cut. As political and military objectives are met, and we prepare to transition control and withdraw our forces, it is likely that withdrawal of forces will come prior to actual conflict termination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 10, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA540263
Entities
People
- Mark E. Calvert
Organizations
- Air War College