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The Philosophical Foundations of the Civil-Military Relationship
No full textThis article reexamines civil-military relations through a philosophical lens, arguing that they are far more complex than simple military subordination to civilian authority. Drawing on foundational models from Hobbes, Plato, medieval Christendom, and Clausewitz, it reveals a recurring tripartite structure of society: rulers, warriors, and citizens bound together by mutual responsibility and moral obligation. From Plato’s emphasis on virtue and justice to Clausewitz’s paradoxical trinity of people, military, and government, the article shows that the strength of any state depends on trust and collaboration among all three. True civil-military relations, it concludes, must be understood as a dynamic moral partnership essential to the health and security of the republic
Updating the TACS/AAGS for Large-Scale Combat Operations
No full textThe Theater Air Control System (TACS) and Army Air-Ground System (AAGS) have been critical frameworks for coordinating air and ground operations between the U.S. Army and Air Force since the Vietnam War. Designed to synchronize air support, airspace control, and joint fires, the system has evolved to meet changing military strategies, including today’s shift from counterinsurgency to large-scale combat operations. However, challenges persist, such as gaps in airspace management, fires integration, and resource allocation, particularly with the Air Force’s downsizing of Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) personnel. Conflicting priorities, coalition partner limitations, and new Army structures like the Multi-Domain Task Force have further complicated the system’s effectiveness. To address these issues, a comprehensive review is needed, including updated inter-Service agreements, doctrine, and coordination strategies. By modernizing TACS/AAGS, the Army and Air Force can ensure seamless integration and readiness for emerging threats and complex future operations
Polybian Warfare: The First Punic War as a Case Study in Strategic Competition and Joint Warfighting
No full textThe First Punic War (264–241 BCE) between Rome and Carthage offers timeless lessons on strategic competition and joint warfare, particularly relevant for modern military strategy. This 23-year conflict highlights the challenges of long-term rivalries, where adaptability, alliances, and mastery of new domains like maritime power were critical to success. Rome’s transformation from a land power to a dominant naval force demonstrates the importance of technological innovation, such as the corvus boarding device, and the ability to sustain costly investments in new capabilities. Carthage’s reliance on mercenaries like Spartan general Xanthippus showcases both the advantages and risks of external support, while shifting alliances in Sicily reveal how political, economic, and military factors shape partnerships. The war’s back-and-forth nature, marked by decisive battles, prolonged stalemates, and fluctuating fortunes, illustrates that strategic competition requires sustained effort and resilience. For modern great powers like the United States, the lessons of this “Polybian warfare”—characterized by its protracted, multidomain, and resource-intensive dynamics—offer critical insights into navigating contemporary rivalries with China and Russia in traditional and emerging domains like space and cyber
T-BIRRD: Transforming the Future of Military and Humanitarian Logistics
No full textThis article explores the transformative potential of Terrestrial-Based Inserted Rocket Resource Delivery (T-BIRRD) as a cutting-edge logistics solution for both U.S. military operations and humanitarian aid efforts. Leveraging commercial space launch capabilities, T-BIRRD offers unprecedented speed and reach for resource delivery in contested or remote environments. The discussion addresses key legal and policy considerations, including compliance with the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), the Law of War (LoW), and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). It also examines the strategic risks of launch misinterpretation, cyber vulnerabilities, and integration challenges within global airspace governance frameworks. The article calls for a comprehensive legal, regulatory, and operational framework to guide T-BIRRD’s deployment, urging collaboration among military, commercial, and international stakeholders. Ultimately, it positions T-BIRRD as a critical capability for achieving future strategic and humanitarian objectives while maintaining global stability and adherence to international norms
A Conditions-Based Look at a Cyber Force
No full textAs threats in cyberspace continue to grow, U.S. policymakers are debating whether it\u27s time to create a dedicated Cyber Force. In this Joint Force Quarterly article, Shiraz Khan uses a conditions-based framework, drawing from historical precedents like the formation of the Air Force and Space Force to assess whether the time is right for an independent military cyber service. Applying Dyck and Starke’s model for organizational breakaways, Khan explores the political, operational, and strategic conditions that led past capabilities to evolve into standalone services. Today, cyberspace shows similar signals: rising strategic importance, competing visions across Services, high-profile advocates, and institutional tension. However, unlike previous breakaways, the Cyber Force movement lacks strong White House backing and has yet to prove its doctrine in large-scale conflict. Still, with adversaries like China rapidly advancing and AI transforming the landscape, the urgency for decisive cyber leadership may shorten the timeline and intensify the need for an independent Cyber Force
The Variables of OPCON: The ‘Control Rod’ Logic in Today’s ROK-US Alliance
No full textThis article, the second in a series for The Diplomat by Dr. Clint Work, examines the persistence and evolution of the “control rod” logic in the 2010s as it shaped the wartime operational control (OPCON) transition from the United States to the Republic of Korea (ROK). Focusing on political leadership changes in Seoul and Washington, key alliance agreements, and the implementation of the Condition-based Operational Control Transition Plan (COTP), the article highlights how U.S.-ROK policymakers navigated shifting strategic priorities, North Korean threats, and domestic political dynamics. By tracing developments under Presidents Park, Moon, Yoon, and Lee, alongside the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, the study demonstrates how enduring U.S. command influence and allied security dependencies have complicated efforts to transfer wartime OPCON, offering insight into the challenges of alliance modernization, extended deterrence, and regional stability in Northeast Asia
Re-examining National Missile Defense Strategy: Defending Against China
No full textDr. Kathleen Ellis, a Senior Policy Fellow in the INSS Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, authored a National Institute for Public Policy (NIPP) Occasional Paper titled, Re-examining National Missile Defense Strategy: Defending Against China. Dr. Ellis argues that the United States needs a stronger national missile defense posture in response to China\u27s rise as a nuclear-armed near-peer adversary. The paper challenges the long-held notion that keeping the U.S. homeland deliberately vulnerable preserves strategic stability, contending that China\u27s rapid nuclear expansion shows that this policy of voluntary vulnerability is no longer tenable. Dr. Ellis suggests that adopting a more robust homeland missile defense posture could promote stability by reinforcing U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and assuring allies.https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/wmd-occasional-papers/1013/thumbnail.jp
Build Containerized Missile Ships for Rapid and Affordable Fleet Growth
No full textThere has long been public angst in DC about the number of ships in the U. S. Navy, which is projected to decline to 283 in 2027. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the number of ships will slowly begin to increase in 2028 and reach 381 manned ships and 134 unmanned ships by 2045. Today, the PLA Navy has 370 ships and is building at a higher rate than the United States
Risk: A Weak Element in U.S. Strategy Formulation
No full textThis article explores the critical but often overlooked role of risk analysis in U.S. national security decision-making, emphasizing its importance in strategy formulation and execution. Risk, defined as the potential for adverse outcomes tied to uncertainties, is frequently misunderstood or ignored, leading to flawed assumptions, bias-driven decisions, and costly strategic failures. Using examples from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the operation to capture Osama bin Laden, the article illustrates how inadequate risk management has hampered strategic outcomes. It highlights the need for a consistent framework for assessing risk, broader than current military doctrine, to address political, economic, and diplomatic risks. Recommendations include enhancing risk analysis capabilities within the National Security Council, fostering a culture of critical thinking, and institutionalizing risk management as a routine practice. By prioritizing risk analysis, senior leaders can make better-informed decisions, adapt strategies effectively, and improve national security outcomes
The Tragic Mind: Fear, Fate, and the Burden of Power
No full textThis review explores Robert D. Kaplan’s The Tragic Mind: Fear, Fate, and the Burden of Power, a reflective and philosophical departure from his earlier geographically focused works. Drawing from decades of war reporting and inspired by thinkers from ancient Greece to modern Europe, Kaplan argues that effective leadership—especially in matters of war and foreign policy—requires a “tragic sensibility.” He contends that decisions about the use of force often involve choosing between lesser evils, and must be guided by humility, historical awareness, and a clear understanding of unintended consequences. Kaplan critiques recent U.S. military interventions and praises President George H.W. Bush as a model of tragic-minded leadership. The review highlights Kaplan’s warning against idealistic overreach in an era of renewed Great Power rivalry, urging policymakers to act with caution, restraint, and respect for the limits of power