Matthew Ridgway and the Value of Persistent Dissent

Army General Matthew Ridgway’s actions throughout his career provide a valuable example of the appropriate time and place for serious dissent by military leaders. Ridgway demonstrated the importance of selectively and pragmatically expressing ope

From the Acting Editor in Chief

Welcome to the Spring 2023 demi-issue of Parameters. Released approximately one month before the full issue of the journal, the demi-issue addresses unfolding current events and issues critical to our readership, generates interest in the forthcoming full issue by previewing upcoming content, and tackles the big questions being asked today in the fields of military strategy and defense policy. This Spring 2023 demi-issue focuses on Afghanistan and consists of an In Focus special commentary and the SRAD Director’s Corner

From the Acting Editor in Chief

Welcome to the Spring 2023 issue of Parameters. This issue consists of an In Focus special commentary and the SRAD Director’s Corner focused on Afghanistan, three forums, and two Reviews and Replies

Avoiding Vietnam: The U.S. Army\u27s Response to Defeat in Southeast Asia

As American operations against terrorism spread around the globe to places like Afghanistan and the Philippines, an increasing tendency has been for commentators to draw parallels with past experience in Vietnam. Even soldiers on the ground have begun to speak in such terms. The author analyzes the Army\u27s response to that defeat in Southeast Asia and its long-term impact. Contrary to the accepted wisdom that nations which lose wars tend to learn best how to correct their mistakes, he argues that Americans tried to forget the unhappy experience with counterinsurgency by refocusing on conventional wars. While that process eventually produced the powerful force that won the Persian Gulf War, it left an Army with force structure, doctrine, and attitudes that are much less applicable to the peace operations and counterterrorism campaign it now faces. The author asserts that the Army must change in order to operate effectively in the full spectrum of future requirements, and it is time to reexamine the war in Vietnam. He also draws attention to the service\u27s Lessons Learned process, and provides insights as to how the experience gained in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM should be analyzed and applied.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1813/thumbnail.jp

Landpower and Crises: Army Roles and Missions in Smaller-Scale Contingencies During the 1990s

The author analyzes the role of landpower in the 170 smaller-scale contingencies conducted by the United States during the last decade. He divides such contingencies into engagement, enhanced deterrence, hostility, and stabilization phases, and discusses the military\u27s role in each one. The author especially emphasizes the recurring problems in the planning, execution, and force structure for stabilization tasks, including nation-building. He concludes that, despite the desire of American leaders to limit military involvement in such missions, it is unavoidable because of the capability mismatch between military and civilian organizations, combined with the requirements of peace operations and the character of American soldiers. Recommendations include acceptance of some degree of nation-building as the Army\u27s mission and adapting its force structure, training, and planning accordingly.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1840/thumbnail.jp

Creating Great Expectations: Strategic Communications and American Airpower

Americans have always been uniquely attracted to airpower, a fact that has been successfully exploited by generations of U.S. Air Force leaders in information campaigns. But as a result, the nation has often entered conflicts with exorbitant expectations about what airpower could actually accomplish, creating unique challenges in strategic communications when promises did not match reality, especially in recent conflicts. Adaptive enemies have also become very adept at using their own carefully crafted information campaigns to counter what is America’s greatest asymmetric advantage on the battlefield.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1387/thumbnail.jp