Concepts About the American Way of War

CONCEPTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN WAY OF WAR
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Concepts about the American Way of War
A lot has been said about the American Way of War in an attempt to understand how Americans approach war. There are a lot of ideas about what comprises the American Way of War, but these ideas are all aimed at interpreting current and future American defense approaches. Most military historians indicate that the American Way of War traditionally aimed at taking the war to the enemy without considering political purposes and objectives (Echevarria 2004, 9; Gray 2006, 30). The discussion on the American way of war is important not only to the US political and military leaders but also to foreign political and military leaders. It provides insights into how Americans view and organize warfare to gain political and military power. The most important concepts of the American Way of War and how they can be used to the advantage or disadvantage of a foreign military or political leader are discussed.
One of the most important concepts to know about the American Way of War, especially for a foreign military/political leader, is that Americans seek military victory. According to Keravuori (2011, 2), the American Way of War seeks military victory, and often, the military and political outcomes of the war are not always aligned. The disconnect between the military and political objectives of war creates a limitation in the American Way of War. Primarily, the original motive for war is political. Political objectives are what govern the military objectives, not the other round (Lykke 1989, 5). According to Clausewitz (1976, 81), when the political and military objectives of the war are not aligned, the military objective should be adjusted to serve the political purpose of the war. This implies that the political objectives of the war preceded military objectives, and a successful war requires the alignment of the military and political objectives. However, this alignment has been absent in the American Way of War, presenting a strategic mishap. A foreign political/military leader from foreign states such as China or Iran can use this concept of the American Way of War to their advantage and obtain victory over America in the event of a war. Specifically, they can use this concept to defeat the United States (US), which is a strong state with the military capability to win a war. The misalignment of war's political and military objectives leaves the US at a military strategic disadvantage. A military victory is not the only way to defeat an adversary, yet the US has focused on military conquest.
Additionally, the American Way of War is astrategic and regular. As Gray (2006, 31) reveals...