Pray for Peace. Prepare for War...and Stability Operations
Abstract
In support of the 2008 National Defense Strategy, former Defense Secretary Gates candidly advised that U.S. military capabilities needed to be balanced between those required to win decisively in any conventional fight and those required to successfully conduct stability operations . Our experience in Iraq highlights his concern, as U.S. forces seized Baghdad in three weeks but remained in Iraq for the rest of the decade trying to stabilize the country and solidify the victory. However, in light of the national fiscal crisis and the severe cuts expected in military budgets and force structure, is this balanced approach appropriate for the U.S. Army? This study s thesis holds that Secretary Gates was correct in mandating that U.S. military forces maintain a balanced array of capabilities for the future. The paper is organized so as to review the latest policy and doctrine regarding stability operations/tasks and assess whether these guidelines and directives are fully supported by history and various theories of war. The Army s key risk associated with achievement of the balanced approach is discussed, as well as recommendations for gaining and maintaining a true balance of capabilities in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA588619
Entities
People
- Mark E. Black
Organizations
- United States Army War College