A Task for Next Centuries Military Theorist
-Harnessing the Global Revolution-
By Frank Zachar
September 2008
“All wars are things of the same nature . . .”Clausewitz[i]
Which military theorist is best suited for guiding tomorrows warring factions through the minefields of the twenty-first century conflicts? The twenty-first century military theorist faces unique challenges as a result of the vast recent global changes as well as the anticipated changes of the next half-century such as populations growth and continued globalization. He must deal with the waning relevance of war bounded by strategy wherein strategy is only the use of armed aggression to achieve military objectives guided by a policy of nation states. War theorists of today and tomorrow must bandwagon together with the military theorist of yesterday but more importantly allow room at the planning table for theorists from the economic and socio-cultural arenas if a coherent strategy for victory in future wars is to be discovered.
It may be best to look into the past when searching for the most relevant military theorist for the twentieth century? The answer is none of them individually and yet all of them blended together in flavorful soup of individual perspectives. It is clear that most good military theorists subscribe to the basic tenants of war and add some critical thought that resonated with a generation or more of military thinkers - hence the reason we continue to read their words while seeking out the next great theorist. It is their perspectives on strategy for a specific time that add flavor but the narrowness of those perspectives taken individually makes the flavor bitter to many.
Many theories captured in the teachings of the great military theorists of our past continue to stand the test of time. For as long as organized violence is used in conflict by collectives to defeat the ambitions of another, the greats such as Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Mahan, Jomini and...