RMA and interventions (M. Madej)

Question 1

Technology and armed conflicts: Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)

Answer 1

• ## change not only in modes of warfare, but also organization of armed forces and goals of conflicts

Question 2

what are the implications of the new nature of interventions as a “war of choice”?

Answer 2

keeping the legitimacy is more important than normal armed conflicts between two parties. Basically a country is sacrificing their own soldiers in foreign soil.

Question 3

US so called 2nd offset strategy resulted in:

Answer 3

1. Possibility of information superiority and the emergence of network-centric warfare
2. Increased precision of strikes
3. Central role of reconnaissance/intelligence and communication

Question 4

Why does the classical Clausewitzan approach is not meant to be used in interventions?

Answer 4

It has the intention to stop both parties for engaging in combat so destroying all enemy capabilities is not on the table.

Question 5

2nd offset strategy

Answer 5

investments primarily in big, complex, interconnected platforms (vessels, aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles) – designed primarily for regular, insterstate wars

Question 6

what is the difference between intervention and self defense?

Answer 6

Interventions need to find a balance between economic cost and effectiveness to make it worth it. Self-defence takes whatever it costs in order to not capitulate.

Question 7

IED

Answer 7

improvised explosive device.

Question 8

RMA in the first phase of new wars

Answer 8

stimulus for interventions –> need to confrront irregular, asymmetric enemies

Question 9

the second phase was characterized by investments in force protection tools and the results were…

Answer 9

Low efficiency of such efforts

Question 10

so called 3rd offset strategy

Answer 10

turn to remotely- controlled/autonomous weapons (drones, robots etc.)

Question 11

Uneven advancements of RMA in the world

Answer 11

US as a leader (technological superiority of Western states)

Question 12

In theory RMA (3)

Answer 12

1. dissolution of the fog of war (ability to achieve full situational awareness) – reduction of the risk of mistake and collateral damage
2. possibility to act ”over the horizon” and with no risk of losses in personnel
3. (humanitarian) interventions more feasible, more controllable and ”safe” for civilians

Question 13

reality and effects of RMA

Answer 13

• growth of interventionism among Western states
• risk of mistakes/misinterpretations still exists, possibility of ill- prepared, unnecessary or ”insufficiently precise”
• often disappointing results

Question 14

The intervening forces are mainly international, leading to coordination problems within the armies, why?

Answer 14

They have been trained in different countries under different conditions and they do not share the same native language.