Blog Posts

#DefineStrategy. Strategy would be easy if we got rid of the humans

"Strategy is hard". Jarrod Brook This insight seems trite, but it’s best to be grounded and show a little humility before unpacking what this means. Whilst there are a variety of reasons that make the formulation of strategy difficult, friction is always present due to the fundamentally human nature of strategy. Strategy can seem exceedingly … Continue reading #DefineStrategy. Strategy would be easy if we got rid of the humans

#DEFINESTRATEGY. On Grand Strategy

In this #DefineStrategy entry, Edouard Cousins offers his thoughts on grand strategy and the bridge between military strategy and policy. “Grand strategy is the light on the horizon that provides an aiming mark for the nation, guiding it towards its best interests through turbulent seas.“Ed Cousins “A grand strategy is a purposeful and coherent set … Continue reading #DEFINESTRATEGY. On Grand Strategy

THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR IN PLANNING

By Warrant Officer Class One Brad Doyle, Regimental Sergeant Major Combat Training Centre. The RSM at Divisional, Brigade and Battle Group level has a number of functions and tasks. What is the function that best describes the RSM during planning? Is the role defined and do RSMs know of this role? The Manual of Army … Continue reading THE REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR IN PLANNING

#DEFINESTRATEGY. A narrative that guides

In this #DefineStrategy submission, Jarrod Brook offers his thoughts on how best to do strategy, as well as how best to articulate it. "Strategy is ultimately a narrative that guides our decision making and the execution of campaigns"Jarrod Brook Defining strategy is a very intimidating question, and I am not sure I am as steeped … Continue reading #DEFINESTRATEGY. A narrative that guides

#DefineStrategy. Coloring In the Gray Zones: On Colin S. Gray’s Definition of Strategy

In this #DefineStrategy entry, Philip Dolitsky provides his observations on Colin S. Gray's definition, contrasted with comments from Hew Strachan on Clausewitz. "Strategy is the employment of force and the threat of force in a dialectical battle with an adversary to compel the enemy to do our will for the ultimate purpose of securing a … Continue reading #DefineStrategy. Coloring In the Gray Zones: On Colin S. Gray’s Definition of Strategy

#DefineStrategy Series: Part 1

Nobody really knows what strategy is. The concept of the ‘bigger picture' seems to be broadly understood among practitioners in the profession of arms, yet a single definition for ‘strategy’ still eludes us. Ask 100 people to define it and you’ll likely receive 100 different answers. Each may be right, but none would be complete. … Continue reading #DefineStrategy Series: Part 1

Why Nuclear Weapons Are Going to Go

Phillip Dolitsky recently critiqued my four part series of articles titled “How to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons” here on Chesterfield Strategy (see “Why Nuclear Weapons are Here to Stay.”) Dolitsky’s response is well researched, cogent, and clear. He is an able scholar, but we do have some points of disagreement. People often think that because I … Continue reading Why Nuclear Weapons Are Going to Go

Why Nuclear Weapons Are Here to Stay

The more one reads about strategic studies and strategic history, the more one finds that the old Latin adage, Si vis pacem, para bellum, has rightly dominated the minds of the world’s greatest statesmen and strategists. In a world that has known war longer than it has known peace, strategists are obligated to think through … Continue reading Why Nuclear Weapons Are Here to Stay