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Measuring Capabilities in the Presence of Anti-Access Strategies: Exploratory Analysis to Inform Adaptive Strategy for the Persian Gulf
Measuring Capabilities in the Presence of AntiAccess Strategies Exploratory Analysis to Inform Adaptive Strategy for the Persian Gulf Author:Paul K. Davis This book discusses how U.S. capabilities for interdictinginvading ground forces in the Persian Gulf can be adapted over time tomaintain the ability to achieve an "early halt" or to counter maneuverforces in other plausible campaigns. The authors emphasize exploratoryanalysis under massive uncertainty about political and military developmentsan... more »d about the detailed circumstances of conflict. The book documents aspecialized model used for "mission system analysis," which helps identifycritical enablers of early-halt capability: deployment; immediatecommand-control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; ability toemploy interdiction forces quickly; and weapon effectiveness. The UnitedStates should expect threatened or actual use of mass-casualty weaponsagainst its forces and regional allies and enemy attempts to act quickly andwith short warning. On the other hand, the threat's size and quality may beless than usually assumed. On the military side, the book characterizesparametrically the conditions for a successful early halt, therebyidentifying high-priority strategic hedges, capability developments, andpotential adaptations. The book considers joint forces for interdiction andsynergy with rapidly employable ground forces. On the political side, thebook notes the premium on continued forward basing, aggressive use ofambiguous warning, and long-range bombers. Continued enforcement ofred-line constructs could greatly improve the likelihood of decisiveresponse to ambiguous warning. Countering anti-access strategies would beenhanced by negotiating use of more distant bases and logistic preparation.It will be increasingly unwise to assume use of forward bases, even iftechnical analysis suggests that the bases could operate under attacks withmass-casualty weapons.« less