Welcome to the Winter 2025–26 issue of Parameters, which consists of an In Focus special commentary, two forums (Indo-Pacific Deterrence and Considerations for Modern Warfare), and the new Strategic Competition Corner.
In their special commentary, “Responsibly Pursuing Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) for the War Fighter,” A. Blair Wilcox and C. Anthony Pfaff provide a roadmap for integrating GenAI into Army operations. Their analysis underscores the importance of aligning technology with doctrine, incentivizing innovation, and managing cognitive load to ensure AI enhances—not undermines—war-fighter decision making.
The first forum, Indo-Pacific Deterrence, features three articles. In the first, “A Hybrid Deterrence Model for Countering China,” Lucas Ziller critiques the US denial-centric deterrence strategy and proposes a hybrid model that combines denial and punishment across military, economic, informational, and diplomatic domains. The second article, “Security Implications of the China-Russia-North Korea Triangle,” by Brian G. Carlson, assesses the strategic dynamics shaping Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. His analysis highlights the risks of opportunistic aggression and the complex calculations that drive authoritarian cooperation. In the third article, “China’s Securitization of Agricultural Imports: A Case of Economic Statecraft Mixed Successes,” Gustavo Ferreira and Bert Cramer explore China’s agricultural import diversification as a tool of economic statecraft. Their analysis reveals mixed success: while reducing its reliance on US suppliers, China has developed a concentrated dependence on Brazil, raising new strategic vulnerabilities.
The second forum, Considerations for Modern Warfare, contains three articles. In the first, “Drones and the Changing Character of War,” Erik A. Davis argues that cheap drones have altered the character of conflict by introducing a “mass effect” that undermines traditional force concentration principles. His analysis blends economic theory, combat modeling, and lessons from Ukraine to offer actionable insights for adapting doctrine and procurement to a world of cheap precision mass. In the second article, “Mission Command’s Asymmetric Advantage Through AI-Driven Data Management,” Sorin Adam Matei and Kyle Parris Reed argue that AI can transform mission command by optimizing information asymmetry. Their condensation–distillation framework offers a structured approach to managing complexity and accelerating decision cycles across multidomain operations. Finally, “On Lethality: Toward a More Complete Definition and Formation of the Lethality Framework,” by John M. Hinck, Robert S. Hinck, Jayson A. Altieri, and David R. Jarnot, redefines lethality beyond kinetic effects, introducing a comprehensive framework that integrates human adaptability, resilience, and systemic readiness. Their approach aligns with the complexity of modern warfare, informing doctrine and leader development.
The issue closes out with the inaugural Strategic Competition Corner by Antulio J. Echevarria II. In “Reframing the Nature of Strategic Competition,” he addresses the shortcomings of the Joint concept of interstate strategic competition and advocates for it to align more closely with the nature of war. ~CAP