Through the Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Lens: Perspectives on the Operational Environment – Partnerships Through History, Eisenhower and Europe, China and Asia, Terrorism, Homeland Security

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This volume begins with some thinking about thinking. Mr. Kurt VanderSteen will help us with this by providing some insights into looking at military operations from a system's perspective; to view the operational environment as an interconnected whole having properties and characteristics with far reaching impacts. Next, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Oh will build on this perspective by considering a framework to use various metaphors to better understand the different types of systems we are likely to face in the future. Beyond just center of gravity, he posits that using other metaphors is a way planners can creatively and critically explore uncertain environment and formulate possible solutions.

Next we will look to some of our authors for views about our national strategy. Lieutenant Colonel Greg Sharpe and Major Ken Rich (PhD) share their vision of an expansion beyond our traditional instruments of national power of diplomacy, information, military, and economics (DIME) to include the space domain. Their chapter highlights the vital nature of assured access to space as a key consideration in developing our national security strategies. For his chapter, Dr. Rich Berkebile examines how the organizational structure of terrorism manifests in the domestic environment. He suggests contrary to public discourse, hierarchically organized terrorist groups are more dangerous than networked or leaderless resistance arrangements. Nonetheless, leaderless resistance is the dominant 21st Century domestic threat and requires new approaches to combating terrorism. Together, these two chapters remind us that a strategy must be ever responsive to evolving technologies and challenges.

There is always a challenge when you try to assess the future. Two of our authors attempt to do that by analyzing the past to gain insights into what may be ahead. These authors have identified specific issues of concern. Dr. David Anderson provides a qualitative analysis into the economics associated with genocide and proposes that there are indicators and warnings to prevent future genocides. As a result of his research, he also identities some long-term economic consequences following a genocide. As Dr. Anderson looks to economics as a way to predict genocide, the next author, Mr. Jeff Vordermark explores the complex aspects of water availability/scarcity as a national security issue that represents both a likely trigger for future conflict and also a unique challenge to national interests and operational planning.

Chapter 1 - Shadows on Cave Walls: Systems Perspective in the Operational Environment * Chapter 2 - Center of Gravity and Beyond: Power and Perils of Metaphors in Joint Planning * Chapter 3 - Assured Access to Space: An Examination of the Space Domain as a Tool for National Power * Chapter 4 - Inchoate Revolution: Organizational Structure and Terrorism in the Domestic Security Environment * Chapter 5 - Behind the Economics and Consequences of Genocide * Chapter 6 - Future Conflict - Water as a Strategic Issue * Chapter 7 - Building Partner Capacity: Avoiding the Imperialism Problem * * Chapter 8 - Developing a New Relationship with Europe: Lessons from NATO's Origins * Chapter 9 - The Foundations of Sino-American Military-to-Military Relations: From the Boxer Relief Expedition to the Joint United States Military Advisory Group - China, 1900-1949 * Chapter 10 - Neighbours... and Friends? Homeland Security and US - Canada Relations * Chapter 11 - Are We Doing Enough to Educate Our Military Leaders in Homeland Security Operations?