Recent Publications

Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army’s Professional Expert Knowledge
June 22, 2023 — Integrating artificially intelligent technologies for military purposes poses a special challenge. In previous arms races, such as the race to atomic bomb technology during World War II, expertise resided within the Department of Defense. But in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, expertise dwells mostly within industry and academia. Also, unlike the development of the bomb, effective employment of AI... MORE

Trusting AI
February 8, 2023 — Integrating artificially intelligent technologies for military purposes poses a special challenge. In previous arms races, such as the race to atomic bomb technology during World War II, expertise resided within the Department of Defense. But in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, expertise dwells mostly within industry and academia. Also,... MORE

Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army’s Professional Expert Knowledge

“Professionalizing Special Operations Forces”
September 20, 2022 — The special operations community could best address the perceived ethical crisis it faces by professionalizing as an institution. While earlier assessments have attributed special operations forces’ ethical issues to a focus on mission accomplishment that led to a broken force generation process and a high operations tempo, such diagnoses obscure a more comprehensive solution. Using sociologist Andrew Abbott’s work on professions as a framework, this article explores the benefits of building the kinds of institutions that can claim a jurisdiction, develop and certify expert knowledge, and establish and apply a code of ethics that addresses special operations unique concerns so that it builds trust and better serves the American people... MORE

“A Failure to Innovate: The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War”
May 16, 2022 — The root cause for the defeat of the Armenian forces in the second Nagorno-Karabakh War was flawed military doctrine inherited from the Soviet Union. This article analyzes the major problems faced by Armenia, uncovers the main reasons for unsuccessful innovation, tests empirical findings against some of the most authoritative theories... MORE

Soldiers in Cities - Military Operations on Urban Terrain
April 6, 2022 — This podcast is based on a compendium that resulted from a conference on “Military Operations in an Urban Environment” cosponsored by the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce in conjunction with the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, the U.S. Army War College, and the Association of the United States Army. At the time of the conference, the concept of homeland defense was emerging as an increasingly important mission for the U.S. military. ... MORE

Parameters VOL. 49 NO. 1–2 Spring–Summer 2019
July 18, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J. Echevarria FEATURES:A2/AD Myths: Chinese & Russian"Anti-Access Strategies in the Pacific: The United States and China" by Sam J. Tangredi."Russia's A2/AD Capabilities: Real and Imagined" by Keir Giles and Mathieu Boulegue.Enhancing Security & Stability"Human Security in the Arctic: Implications for the United States Army" by... MORE

Parameters VOL. 48 NO. 4 Winter 2018-19
May 6, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J Echevarria II FEATURES: Special Commentary "Civil-Military Relations and Today’s Policy Environment" by Thomas N. Garner.Coercion: New Means & Methods"Social Media Warriors: Leveraging a New Battlespace" by Buddhika B. Jayamaha and Jahara Matisek."Multidimensionality: Rethinking Power Projection for the 21st Century" by David... MORE

Parameters VOL. 48 NO. 3 Autumn 2018
January 16, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J Echevarria II FEATURES: Challenges for Civil-Military Relations: "Policy Revolt: Army Opposition to the Korea Withdrawal Plan On Alliances and Coalitions" by Eric B. Setzekorn."The Walter Reed Scandal and the All-Volunteer Force" by Richard G. Malish. On Alliances and Coalitions: "Fighting and Learning in the Great War" by... MORE

Strategic Insights: A New Era in Civ-Mil Relations: Rendering Advice to Those Who Do Not Want It
November 2, 2015 — Dr. Don M. SniderRecently, one of the most respected voices of those who work and teach in the field of American civil-military (civ-mil) relations, Professor Peter Feaver, provocatively offered the following question:When it comes to national security, should one advise President Barack Obama on the best course of action or just the best course of... MORE

The Limits of Military Officers’ Duty to Obey Civilian Orders: A Neo-Classical Perspective
July 30, 2015 — Author: Mr Robert E Atkinson, JrView the Executive SummaryThis monograph offers a neo-classically republican perspective on a perennial problem of civilian/military relations: limitations on military officers’ obligation to obey civilian authorities. All commentators agree that military officers are generally obliged—morally, professionally, and... MORE

Lead Me, Follow Me, Or Get Out of My Way: Rethinking and Refining the Civil-Military Relationship
September 1, 2012 — Author: Dr Mark R Shulman This monograph explains why robust civil-military relations matter and discusses how they are evolving. Part I discusses A More Perfect Military: How the Constitution Can Make Our Military Stronger by Diane Mazur, a book that examines the jurisprudence that has reshaped civil-military relations. Mazur maintains that since... MORE

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Civilian Skills for African Military Officers to Resolve the Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Stability Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa
March 1, 2011 — Author: Ms Diane E Chido For decades, a lack of economic opportunity has caused instability and violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fortunately, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) is in a unique position to increase stability and reduce the causes of violence and extremism through new partnerships and military-to-military training. The current training... MORE