23 March 2014









By 2020, China could have a navy and air force in Asia that outnumbers and almost matches the technical capability of our own. If our military force shrinks because of budget problems, it may not be sufficient to deter China or to reassure our friends and allies in the region.


Even assuming the cyber domain has yet to stop evolving, it is not clear a classic strategic treatment of cyber war is possible, or, if it were, it would be particularly beneficial. The salutary effects of such classics are limited, the basic facts of cyberspace and cyber war do not suggest it would be as revolutionary as airpower has been, and if there were a classic on cyber war, it would likely be pernicious.


The United States wants to stop trafficking and eliminate kingpins, Mexico wants to stop kidnapping and violence. This has left both without a cohesive strategy for combating the cartels. Selective military action by Mexico with indirect mission assistance from the US military offers a plausible path to success.


Two important questions related to the strategic aspects of cyber conflict are: what should be the basic technological building block(s) for strategic cyber defense to assure dominance of one’s own critical elements of cyberspace, and what are the classes of strategic data target(s) strategic cyber defense must protect?


While China is expected to become extremely powerful, it may not rise to the level many expect due to three limiting factors: currency, exports, and demographics. These factors, along with mutual dependency between the two nations, have implications for US policy toward China.


An analytic framework is an essential tool for cyber practitioners. It helps define roles and missions for various responders and enhances deterrence by providing notice to hostile cyber actors that a severe hostile act will merit a military response.


Olsen and most of his authors are advocates of airpower. They have concluded that air and space forces have been increasingly successful in achieving political and military goals, while doing so at low cost and low risk. Over the past century the inherent strengths of airpower—its ubiquity, speed, range, and flexibility—have grown stronger; while its weaknesses have grown ever weaker.







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