Small Wars Journal

Infinity Journal Special Edition

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 9:56am

Infinity Journal Special Edition: “The Post-Operational Level Age of War"

*Registering for subscription to Infinity Journal is quick and simple, and will give you access to all articles past, present and future.

Contents

Preface by Israel Defense Force Brigadier General, Yacov Bengo

Introducing “The Post-Operational Level Age of War” by Israel Defense Force Colonel (Res), Shay Shabtai

The Post Operational Level Age: How to Properly Maintain the Interface between Policy, Strategy, and Tactics in Current Military Challenges by Yacov Bengo & Shay Shabtai

In the present environment and with the military problems it currently faces, conceptualizing of the Operational Level as a central component in methods of command, the structure of headquarters and processes of operational planning, creates more difficulties and failures than it does advantages. It may actually be said to have become an impediment to the process required. The best response to the current military challenges is direct contact between the political, the strategic and the tactical.

The Post-Operational Level Age: The Operational Focus Approach, Part 2 by Yacov Bengo & Giora Segal

Through three concepts: ‘Operational Focus Approach’, ‘Combat Worth’ And ‘Strategic Value’ the authors explain what is needed to be done in order to maximize the utility of force in contemporary military operations. This article is Part Two of an analysis of the post-operational level age.

The Post-Operational Level Age: The Operational Focus Approach, Part 3 by Yacov Bengo & Shay Shabtai

To achieve the optimal connection between policy, strategy and tactics (described in part 1) through an operational focus approach that connects the strategic value to the combat worth (described in part 2), a new kind of situational assessment is required. The staffs, from brigade to General Staff level, should include two separate groups: a Planning Group and a C2 Group. We believe the uncertainty hovering over the utility of military force in achieving the national goals makes this new structure crucial for the effective application of that force.