The Employment of Military Power and Diplomacy

When a nation decides to use national military power, it better be prepared to be brutal and ruthless, because the decision is a test of the nation’s will.  “Measured” responses offer less than desired outcomes. They often send a signal of invitation for the adversary to extend the boundaries of behavior once more.  Commanders who fight looking over their shoulders at the media and weak-kneed politicians cannot be successful on the battlefield.  Our nation must be ready to accept and deliver brutality (53,000 died in the Argonnes before victory was realized) once the decision is made to use military force.  There are great dangers in appeasement (sometimes referred to as the soft under-belly of self-indulgence and that self-indulgence has become a synonym for democracy). and it is the cry of weak politicians.  It manifests itself in “let diplomacy work.”  Diplomacy only works on the side of the powerful and only then when all know that the nation is willing to use its power to further its national interests and defeat its enemies.  In conclusion, the use of military power carries great risk, is brutal and ruthless, and the adversary must feel great pain.  Moreover, it cannot be governed by politicians who would allow collateral damage and death to non-combatants (who are of the adversary) govern the tactics and strategy.