Networks, Coalition Warfare and US Policy: The New Military Operating System

This book argues that Network Centric Warfare (NCW) influences how developed militaries operate in the same fashion that an operating system influences the development of computer software. It examines three inter-related issues: the overwhelming military power of the United States; the growing influence of NCW on military thinking; and the centrality of coalition operations in modern military endeavours. Irrespective of terrorist threats and local insurgencies, the present international structure is remarkably stable; none of the major powers seek to alter the system from its present liberal character as demonstrated by the lack of a military response to American military primacy. This primacy privileges the American military doctrine and thus the importance of NCW, which promises a future of rapid, precise, and highly efficient operations, but it is a future predicated on the 'digitization' of the battle space. Participation in future American led military endeavours will require coalition partners to be networked: 'interoperability' will be a key consideration of a partner's strategic worth. Networks, Coalition Warfare and US Policy will be of much interest to students of strategic studies, international security, US foreign policy and international relations in general.Mitchell, Paul T. is the author of 'Networks, Coalition Warfare and US Policy: The New Military Operating System' with ISBN 9780415446457 and ISBN 0415446457.