Regional Conflict and the Superiority of the Defense--Challenges for U. S. Operational Commanders.

Abstract : Recent historical events such as the crumbling of the Berlin Wall and Operation Desert Storm indicate that we are entering a new era of geo-political struggle. The world is no longer dominated by a bipolar struggle between the United States and the USSR. In the new world order the U.S. finds itself in a leadership role within a multipolar community of nations. One outcome of this new world order may be the emergence of regional conflicts which might not have occurred in a bipolar world. A regional aggressor's use of the defense may pose unique challenges to a U.S. operational commander charged with deploying/ employing offensive military power to secure or protect U.S. interests. This study will examine the doctrinal implications the defense would place on a U.S. operational commander's ability to deploy/employ military power to resolve regional conflict.