Small Wars Journal

civil-military relationships

A New Role for Joint Civil-Military Interaction

Wed, 04/08/2020 - 1:18am
Global crises, such as the spreading of the novel corona virus (COVID-19), hybrid threats and asymmetric warfare require civil-military interaction responses guided by a unity-of-aim approach to build-up capacity for successful conflict transformation. No single activity has a monopoly on responses. All of society is required to act collaboratively in replying to demands placed on it by emerging threats. We ask: What can civil and military leaders and operators responding to crises, hybrid threats, and asymmetric warfare learn from medical approaches to disease prevention and intervention?

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Current Military Academy Service Obligation: Good for Civil-Military Relations SWJED Mon, 08/05/2019 - 8:49am
The most recent National Defense Authorization Act includes a section directing the Secretary of Defense to assess if this five-year service obligation should be extended. Congress is now questioning if the increase in the cost of educating and training should equate to an increase in time served for graduates. In short, is the nation getting “an adequate return on investment for a service academy graduate?”
Deriving a Solution to Venezuela: Civil-Military Relations Can Help SWJED Wed, 07/03/2019 - 1:54am
How does one define “healthy” civil-military relations? The simplest definition would suggest a nation’s military is subordinate to its ruling body. In other words, the guys with all the guns listens to those without any. So how then would we evaluate this relationship in a country like Venezuela? The military has remained loyal and subordinate to the ruling body, so does it meet the criteria?
Civ-Mil Relations: 6 Lessons from a Tweet SWJED Mon, 02/11/2019 - 9:31am
Despite the dangers of the current dynamic, observers say, retired officers should be free to express their views and policy ideas in a way that is respectful of the commander in chief. "Americans want and, really, need to be able to consider the views of those who served, along with others with expertise," Mr. Dunlap said. "It should be the brightness of their ideas, not that of the stars they previously wore, that should carry the day."

The Remilitarisation of Latin American Streets

Sat, 03/31/2012 - 8:34pm

From the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)

The military was once a central pillar of authoritarian dictatorships
in Latin America. Now, democratic governments are relying on them to
restore law and order, bypassing failing police forces. This is a
high-risk strategy, policymakers need to ensure that civilian control
of militaries remain paramount.

Read more at: http://www.rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4F7477C049F92/

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