Important Concepts of American Ways of War
"Reflect upon this week’s course material related to the “character of war” and the “principles of war," then answer the question assigned to you by your instructor.
QUESTION 2C: Assume that you are a Chinese/Russian/Iranian/North Korean senior political or military leader. What are the most important concepts to know about the American Way of War and how can they be negated or used to your advantage?"
Notes from the Instructor:
For THE ASSIGNMENT, the question asks you to take the perspective of an adversary and examines your understanding of "The American Way of War" and its strengths and weaknesses. Given the "short essay" format, I recommend focusing on only a few important aspects of the American way, or even just one. Depth is better than breadth. Concrete, detailed examples are essential to successfully make effective arguments. Remember to show as well as tell. Don't worry too much about going over the word limits, but don't go under it!
*When you place your in-text citation within the answer, please input your page number where you found the information. Example: (Hodges 2003, 176)., Hodges (2003, 176) discussed..., In a 2003 article, Hodges (176) discussed.
AMERICAN WAYS OF WAR
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It is a bitter reality that the dawn of the 21st century witnessed major devastation in two Great World Wars. One common feature in these two Great World Wars was the role played by America which proved decisive in the dominance of the Allied Powers over the Central Powers (Stephen 2018, 377). As a senior political leader in Chinese politics, it would be pertinent to comprehend the American ways of war (Lorge). The information regarding the American ways of war cannot only be used for apprehension purposes but also for improving the warframes in China.[Stephen G. Brooks and William Curti Wohlforth, America Abroad: The United States' Global Role in the 21st Century (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018).] [Peter Lorge, “Discovering War in Chinese History - Jstor Home,” LA GUERRE EN PERSPECTIVE: HISTOIRE ET CULTURE MILITAIRE EN CHINA, accessed January 11, 2023, /stable/24716504.]
Salient Features of American Ways of War
American military’s focus is on high-tech weaponry and advanced technology, such as stealth aircraft, drones, and missile defense systems (Beyerchen 1992, 923). Also, the country’s defense emphasizes air and naval power, with an ability to project force rapidly and over long distances. Moreover, the country’s defense focuses on precision-guided munitions and a “network-centric” approach to warfare.[Alan Beyerchen, “Clausewitz, Nonlinearity, and the Unpredictability of War,” International Security 17, no. 3 (1992): p. 59, https://doi.org/10.2307/2539130.]
In this mechanism, all military elements are connected and can share information and coordinate actions. Furthermore, speed and agility are given priority during war frames because these features enable the military to respond quickly to changing circumstances on the battlefield (Antoine 2022, 772). For example, the prime focus of the American military during the Iraqi freedom war in 2003 was on achieving a quick, decisive victory through overwhelming force.[Antoine J. Bousquet, The Scientific Way of Warfare: Order and Chaos on the Battlefields of Modernity (London: Hurst & Company, 2022).]
Key Takeaways from the American Ways of War
The present century has indicated the rise of China as one of the biggest superpowers in the world. The country has adopted useful warfare tactics and expanded its military strength (Flynn 2018, 1130) . The concerning features of the American ways of war can direct China to lead in a more comprehensive yet defensive manner worldwide.[Flynn Murphy, “Rise of a New Superpower: Health and China’s Global Trade Ambitions,” BMJ, September 2018, pp. 1122-1200, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k595.]
Some prominent takeaways for China from the American ways of war have been discussed ahead. Developing countermeasures to high-tech weaponry and advanced technology. Likewise, developing tactics and capabilities can neutralize a country’s air and naval power that wages war. In addition, focusing on asymmetric warfare and unconventional tactics rather than trying to match the opponent’s military in a traditional, large-scale conflict.
Developing ways to disrupt the opponent country’s communication and information sharing on the battlefield would be fruitful. Furthermore, building up the Chinese defense systems and rapid response capabilities. This can be done by allying with other nations or non-state actors to counterbalance the military power of the war-waging country.
Strengths and Weaknesses of American Ways of War
It’s worth noting that the American way of war is constantly e...