Alessandra Nisch
Putin’s Wars: Testing Boyd’s Strategy of ...

President Putin made three foundational assumptions in launching his war against Ukraine that should have been correct but were not. First, Putin assumed the invasion of Ukraine would be a quick and easy fight. Second, he assumed the world would denounce the invasion but tacitly allow it. Third, Putin assumed the war would deter NATO expansion.

Putin’s Wars: Testing Boyd’s Strategy of Applied Friction

National Defense Strategy

Threat Under the Radar: The Case for Cruise Missile Control in the Next National Security Strategy

Threat Under the Radar: The Case for Cruise Missile Control in the Next National Security Strategy

As the Biden administration settles into office it faces a number of monumental tasks - dealing with the ongoing global health pandemic, repairing alliances, and preparing the country for the coming great power competition with China, just to name a few. This poses the question regarding which issues in particular should inform the rewriting of the next National Security Strategy. While a number of pressing foreign and security policy issues are high on the agenda, the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy should also make reference to and lay the framework for an active cruise missile counterproliferation and arms control strategy.

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.

Choosing Interests While You Sleep? #Reviewing The Senkaku Paradox

Choosing Interests While You Sleep? #Reviewing The Senkaku Paradox

If the U.S. should concede ground on partner territories or interests, the nation must articulate a new policy. The other option would be to compete against near-peer competitors in such a manner that maintains the present security environment with enough flexibility to deter conflict and, if needed, limit escalation. Either way, we must move forward into the reality of great power competition with our eyes wide open and with a determined gait, not dozing and stumbling forward.

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.