The Changing Nature of Warfare, the Factors Mediating Future Conflict, and Implications for Special Operations Forces

This book challenges the prevailing sentiment regarding the nature of war. Designed to generate discussion on topics where little or none has been acceptable, it pushes the envelope of traditional political and military science thinking. It argues that the nature of war has changed at a fundamental level-that of definition. Further, information technology is so pervasive and interpenetrating that its impact cannot be relegated to mere alteration in the techniques by which war is prosecuted. Rather, information technology facilitates new social structures, exacerbates competing hierarchical beliefs, and, combined with other factors, enhances the ability of powerful nations, or other philosophical organizations, to impose their will on adversaries. It is this ability for imposition of will, not the level of violence inflicted, that will determine whether or not a conflict has been won or lost.Other sacred cows are gored in this book by stating: >The nation-state is a failing concept with limited utility and great liability>Boundaries, once thought to be absolute, are in reality arbitrary>Ideology, not materialism, motivates many people and therefore sources of conflict and terrorism cannot be eliminated solely by reducing poverty>Personal allegiance(s) will no longer be assured>Violence, while it will remain prominent, will be optional in future conflicts