Strategic Studies Institute
United States Army War College

Known Unknowns: Unconventional "Strategic Shocks" in Defense Strategy Development

Authored by Mr. Nathan P. Freier.

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+[Known Unknowns: Unconventional “Strategic Shocks” in Defense Strategy Development Mr. Nathan Freier]

Brief Synopsis

The author provides the defense policy team a clear warning against excessive adherence to past defense and national security convention. Including the insights of a number of noted scholars on the subjects of “wild cards” and “strategic surprise,” he argues that future disruptive, unconventional shocks are inevitable. Through strategic impact and potential for disruption and violence, such shocks, in spite of their nonmilitary character, will demand the focused attention of defense leadership, as well as the decisive employment of defense capabilities in response. As a consequence, the author makes a solid case for continued commitment by the Department of Defense to prudent strategic hedging against their potential occurrence.

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Era of Persistent Conflict
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