Multilateral Military Operations-Willing and Able?
Abstract
Multilateral operations provide the United States a great option for either limited or significant involvement in crisis situations, depending on political and financial constraints, while maintaining international legitimacy. Utilizing lessons learned from small operations where the United States has minimal interest and from larger conflicts like Kosovo can lead to a more tailored and effective way to apply military ways and means to achieve the desired political ends. These lessons learned should include: politics, strategy, national interests and objectives, command and control structure and relationships, interoperability, targeting, and humanitarian operations. At the inception of a coalition, the political will, end state and objectives, command and control structure, and military strategy should be established to set the course for planning and effective execution. Finally, with the daunting tasks the United States asks its military to perform, it should leverage existing institutions like the UN for a political mandate while investing in and relying on organizations like NATO to enable it to achieve the objectives that advance its interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547373
Entities
People
- Thomas L. Woods
Organizations
- United States Army War College