NDS

Four Paths: How Interstate Competition Ends

Four Paths: How Interstate Competition Ends

States, organizations, and individuals engaged in competition must ask themselves: Will I win or lose this competition if I make no changes to systems or policy? Whether they predict a persistent advantage or imminent decline, they must strive to identify the culprit that will lead them to the winner’s circle or cause their failure. Only then should they consider positive action to cement their advantage or prevent its deterioration.

How Relevant is the Speed of Relevance?: Unity of Effort Towards Decision Superiority is Critical to Future U.S. Military Dominance

How Relevant is the Speed of Relevance?: Unity of Effort Towards Decision Superiority is Critical to Future U.S. Military Dominance

The challenge for the joint force is to enable decisions through the relentless and totally aligned pursuit of knowledge, systems, and procedures. This pursuit must be laser-focused on ensuring commanders have the time, the information, and the context to make linked battle-winning decisions, faster than their adversaries at every level of warfare. In a future conflict, between near-peer states, decisions made at anything less than the speed of relevance will be severely punished by the incisive actions of unforgiving foes.

Lethality: An Inquiry

Lethality: An Inquiry

Left undefined, lethality risks the fate of many insufficiently elucidated but well-meaning concepts. It is imperative the concept is properly understood, otherwise the word will saturate PowerPoint slides bereft of insight. Given the theoretical grounding it deserves, lethality provides incisive structure. It forms the backbone and guiding intent underwriting the litany of defense actions, processes, and programs: from doctrine, organization, training, and materials to leadership, education, personnel, and facilities. Understood tactically, organizationally, and strategically, lethality hones a latent ethos. Word choice matters, which is the point. The National Defense Strategy is a well-informed and insightful guiding document, but lethality deserves unpacking.

Dynamic Force Employment: A Vital Tool in Winning Strategic Global Competitions

Dynamic Force Employment: A Vital Tool in Winning Strategic Global Competitions

Dynamic force employment presents an opportunity to fundamentally change the way the U.S. military allocates forces to respond to crises, and proactively take advantage of global strategic opportunities. Rapid and variable deployment of ready forces can deter conflict and foment confusion and paralysis in adversaries, making it a powerful tool to be wielded in global competitions with China, Russia, and others.