Recent Articles

by LTC Robert (Bob) McTighe, LTC Michael Mignano, COL John C. Haas, Jr., COL Robert “Bobby” Shadowens, and COL Keith Vanyo. Under the direction of Professor Kathleen Moore, Ph.D.; Publication from the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership; This publication explores the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the United States in the year 2035, focusing on emerging technologies, geopolitical shifts, and military innovations. This insightful analysis offers a comprehensive framework for policymakers and military leaders to navigate the complexities of future warfare and maintain national security.

LTC Owen Adams, Mr. Reginald Shuford, COL Nathaniel Stone, LTC Nicole Washington, COL Dennis Weaver; Report from the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership; This report provides a strategic analysis of the future integration of human-machine teaming (HMT) in military operations. The document explores the technological, ethical, and operational implications of HMT, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize battlefield dynamics by enhancing decision-making, efficiency, and effectiveness. According to this report, by 2040, it is highly likely that HMT will be characterized by increased autonomy, advanced AI capabilities, and a shift towards more robotic and socially interactive systems, all while navigating the complex landscape of legal and ethical considerations. The report underscores the importance of trust, governance, and international cooperation in the successful deployment of HMT systems, highlighting the need for robust frameworks to manage the technological advancements and their societal impacts.

China's Future Military Capabilities Roger Cliff Monograph by the US Army War College, US Army War College Press, Strategic Studies Institute "The 2022 National Defense Strategy of the United States of America identifies China as the “pacing challenge” for the US military. This monograph examines the process by which China’s military capabilities are developed, the capabilities China’s military is seeking to acquire in the future, and the resulting implications for the US military. To date, all the extant studies have merely described the capabilities the People’s Liberation Army is currently acquiring. This monograph goes further by drawing on the Chinese military’s publications to identify and discuss the capabilities the People’s Liberation Army seeks to acquire in the future..."

Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army's Professional Expert Knowledge C. Anthony Pfaff, Christopher J. Lowrance, Bre M. Washburn, Brett A. Carey Integrated Research Project by the US Army War College, US Army War College Press, Strategic Studies Institute "Integrating artificially intelligent technologies for military purposes poses a special challenge. In previous arms races, such as the race to atomic bomb technology during World War II, expertise resided within the Department of Defense. But in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, expertise dwells mostly within industry and academia. Also, unlike the development of the bomb, effective employment of AI technology cannot be relegated to a few specialists; almost everyone will have to develop some level of AI and data literacy..."

PLA Logistics and Sustainment: PLA Conference 2022 George R. Shatzer, Roger D. Cliff Conference Papers by the US Army War College, US Army War College Press, Strategic Studies Institute "The US Army War College People’s Liberation Army Conference (PLA) Conference was held March 31 to April 2, 2022, at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The conference focused on PLA logistics and sustainment. As the PLA continues to build and modernize its combat forces, it is important to examine if the capabilities meant to support combat operations are also being developed."

Strength and Wisdom in Space COL Benjamin Ogden Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Since its establishment in 1901, the US Army War College (USAWC) has addressed some of the most complex and pressing national security problems facing the United States. From analyzing the lessons of the Spanish-American War to studying emerging concepts from the World Wars, preparing students for the Cold War, and transforming senior military officers into strategic thinkers, the civilian and soldier scholars at the US Army War College have been uniquely adept at examining the changing character of warfare. In light of this rich legacy of study, the college’s motto of “Strength and Wisdom” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the institution and its faculty. Today, the character of war includes resurgent peer competition across various national interests; thus, the US Army War College must redirect its focus toward shaping a strategic environment that cuts across different domains."

How Will the Structure of Military Organizations Evolve as Artificial Intelligence Becomes More Sophisticated? Professor Kristan Wheaton Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Deploying AI on the battlefield will force militaries to reimagine how they organize and operate. The Industrial Age principles of structure, authority, and control heavily influence modern military units. In the Industrial Age, factories needed managers to coordinate production and workers to perform individual tasks. But in the fast-paced, dynamic world of twenty-first-century warfare, commanders need soldiers who can think on their feet, team with machines, and adapt their tactics accordingly. A study by Deloitte found AI has the potential to reshape every business process within an enterprise. As a result of this transformation, AI will probably also have a transformative impact on the military."

Happy Holidays from the US Army War College Press! In this issue, we will count down the year's top downloads. Before we do, here is a tip to get you through last-minute reports, assignments, and e-mails. A comma splice occurs when a comma joins two indepedent clauses without a cordinating conjunction (and, but, because) or by a comma instead of a semicolon:

Why Publish with the USAWC Press? Turnaround: From submission to publication, the Press averages less than six months to move manuscripts through the peer review and editing processes. Multimedia Approach: The Press posts articles and monographs on social media when they are released. All authors are also invited to participate in a Decisive Point podcast to discuss their research findings. Look for a new Press initiative this fall—webinar launch events for major publications!