Coalitions: An Overlooked Element of RMA

When discussing the Revolution of Military Affairs (RMA), the focus tends to be upon advanced technology and the ability for a given society to incorporate these tools into a coherent military doctrine. Although there is no doubt that technological factors have dramatically increased the breadth and lethal nature of the battlefield, one must also consider how the cooperation and collaboration of international actors have augmented the modern understanding of warfare. The influence of international organizations, whether military or conciliatory in nature, has changed the environment of war from a head-to-head standoff, to a dynamic event in which external actors become stakeholders on material and/or moral grounds.

In the American context, many will point to the First Gulf War as the prime example of modern warfare: a quick military campaign will few casualties dominated by precision-guided weaponry. Once again, technology played a distinct role in this case, but this cannot discount the presence of an international military coalition and the approval of the United Nations to act. The use of military coalitions is a way to bring a large portion of the international community to overcome a common threat, without the long-term financial and political commitments that come with formal alliances. In this sense, coalitions enable states of varying cultures, economic strengths, and technological sophistication to cooperate, if only to achieve a limited objective.

 

(AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Rather than contributing to a conventional military campaign, coalition forces are now being employed to assist in efforts for regime change and state building. For instance, with the help of NATO and other international actors, Libyan rebels were provided with the material and logistical support necessary to overthrow the Gadhafi regime in 2011. With such success fresh in the minds of many leaders, a similar call for international action is beginning to emerge as a result of escalating violence in Syria. In spite of Security Council objections by China and Russia, western powers and members of the Arab League continue to call for international action similar to last year’s Libyan campaign. With global powers split on what is the appropriate role for international entities in Syria, the strength of coalitions to create international stake holders may be the same feature that fractures international relationships. As officials continue to search for a resolution to the Syrian violence, it appears that the modern use of coalition forces will likely be employed, creating yet another “revolution” in military affairs.