Modern Combat: Definition, History, Features, Challenges, and Trends
Modern combat is a term that encompasses the changing nature and methods of warfare in the 21st century. It is characterized by the use of diverse and innovative instruments of power and subversion, the blurring of war and peace time, and the involvement of multiple actors with different interests and goals. In this article, we will explore the definition, history, features, challenges, and trends of modern combat, and discuss its implications for the U.S. and its allies.
What is modern combat?
A brief definition of modern combat
Modern combat is warfare that diverges notably from previous military concepts, methods, and technology, emphasizing how combatants must modernize to preserve their battle worthiness. As such, it is an evolving subject, seen differently in different times and places.
modern combat
The evolution of modern combat from conventional to unconventional warfare
Modern combat can be traced back to the emergence of new technologies and doctrines that challenged the traditional ways of fighting wars. For example, the development of nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, precision-guided munitions, drones, cyberattacks, and special operations forces have all contributed to the transformation of warfare from conventional to unconventional. Conventional warfare refers to the use of massed forces and firepower to achieve decisive victory over an enemy's military capabilities. Unconventional warfare refers to the use of irregular forces and tactics to undermine an enemy's political will or legitimacy.
How did modern combat develop over time?
The first age of modern combat: The rise of drones and precision strikes
The first age of modern combat can be seen as the period from the late 20th century to the early 21st century, when the U.S. and its allies dominated the global security environment with their superior military technology and power projection capabilities. During this time, the U.S. pioneered the use of drones and precision strikes to target its enemies with minimal collateral damage and risk to its own forces. Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can perform various missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, strike, or support. Precision strikes are attacks that employ guided weapons or systems to accurately hit specific targets with minimal error or deviation.
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The second age of modern combat: The proliferation of hybrid warfare and non-state actors
The second age of modern combat can be seen as the period from the mid-2000s to the present day, when the U.S. and its allies faced new challenges from a variety of state and non-state actors who employed hybrid warfare strategies to counter their conventional superiority. Hybrid warfare is a form of warfare that combines conventional and unconventional methods in a coordinated manner to exploit the vulnerabilities of an adversary. Hybrid warfare can involve a mix of regular and irregular forces, kinetic and non-kinetic tools The third age of modern combat: The emergence of artificial intelligence and cyber warfare
The third age of modern combat can be seen as the period from the near future to the distant future, when the U.S. and its allies will have to cope with the rapid advancement and diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber warfare capabilities among their potential adversaries. AI is the ability of machines or systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as perception, reasoning, learning, decision making, or creativity. Cyber warfare is the use of computer networks and software to disrupt, damage, or destroy an adversary's information systems, networks, or data. AI and cyber warfare can enable new forms of attack and defense, such as autonomous weapons, cyberattacks, information warfare, or electronic warfare.
What are the main features of modern combat?
The blurring of war and peace time
One of the main features of modern combat is the blurring of war and peace time, meaning that the distinction between war and peace is no longer clear or stable. This is because modern combat involves a range of actors and activities that operate in the gray zone between war and peace, such as covert operations, proxy wars, cyberattacks, economic sanctions, political interference, or propaganda. These actions can be used to achieve strategic objectives without triggering a full-scale war or violating international law.
The fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tools
Another feature of modern combat is the fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tools, meaning that modern combatants use a combination of physical and non-physical means to influence or coerce their adversaries. Kinetic tools are those that involve the use of force or violence, such as bombs, bullets, missiles, or rockets. Non-kinetic tools are those that do not involve the use of force or violence, but rather affect the behavior, perception, or cognition of an adversary, such as cyberattacks, information operations, psychological operations, or electronic warfare.
The exploitation of vulnerabilities and information asymmetry
A third feature of modern combat is the exploitation of vulnerabilities and information asymmetry, meaning that modern combatants seek to identify and exploit the weaknesses and gaps in their adversaries' capabilities, defenses, or awareness. Vulnerabilities are those factors that make an adversary susceptible to harm or damage, such as physical infrastructure, human resources, social cohesion, or moral values. Information asymmetry is the situation where one party has more or better information than another party, giving them an advantage in decision making or action. Modern combatants use various methods to create or exploit vulnerabilities and information asymmetry, such as deception, infiltration, sabotage, espionage, or hacking.
What are the main challenges of modern combat?
The ethical and legal dilemmas of using lethal autonomous weapons
One of the main challenges of modern combat is the ethical and legal dilemmas of using lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs), meaning weapons that can select and engage targets without human intervention or supervision. LAWs can offer potential benefits such as increased speed, accuracy, efficiency, or safety in warfare. However, they also raise serious concerns about accountability, A fourth challenge of modern combat is the risk of escalation and miscalculation in a complex and multipolar world, meaning that modern combat can trigger unintended or unwanted consequences that could spiral out of control or lead to a larger conflict. Escalation is the process by which a conflict intensifies or expands in scope, scale, intensity, or domain. Miscalculation is the error or misjudgment in assessing an adversary's intentions, capabilities, or reactions. Modern combat increases the risk of escalation and miscalculation because of the following factors:
The diversity and ambiguity of actors and actions involved in modern combat, such as state and non-state actors, hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, or proxy wars, can make it difficult to identify the source, nature, or purpose of an attack, or to attribute responsibility and accountability.
The speed and complexity of modern combat, such as the use of AI, cyber warfare, or hypersonic weapons, can reduce the time and space for human decision making and communication, or create information overload or confusion.
The interconnectedness and interdependence of modern combat, such as the fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tools, the involvement of multiple domains and regions, or the impact on civilian infrastructure and populations, can create cascading effects or spillover effects that are hard to predict or contain.
The multipolarity and rivalry of modern combat, such as the shifting balance of power and influence among state and non-state actors, the erosion of trust and cooperation among allies and partners, or the competition for resources and interests in contested areas, can increase the incentives or pressures to escalate or miscalculate.
What are the main trends of modern combat?
The increasing role of space and cyber domains in warfare
One of the main trends of modern combat is the increasing role of space and cyber domains in warfare, meaning that modern combatants rely more on space-based and cyber-based assets and capabilities to conduct or support their operations. Space and cyber domains are becoming more contested, congested, and competitive as more actors seek to access, exploit, or deny them. Space assets and capabilities include satellites, launch vehicles, ground stations, or orbital weapons that provide various functions such as communication, navigation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, weather forecasting, or missile warning. Cyber assets and capabilities include computers, networks, software, data, or algorithms that enable various activities such as information collection, processing, dissemination, manipulation, disruption, or destruction. Space and cyber domains are essential for enabling joint all-domain command and control (JADC2), which is the ability to integrate and synchronize capabilities across all domains to achieve operational objectives.
The growing importance of joint and multi-domain operations
Another trend of modern combat is the growing importance of joint and multi-domain operations (MDO), meaning that modern combatants need to operate effectively across multiple domains (land Another trend of modern combat is the growing importance of joint and multi-domain operations (MDO), meaning that modern combatants need to operate effectively across multiple domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber) and with multiple partners (allies, partners, agencies, or organizations) to achieve their objectives. Joint operations are those that involve two or more military services or components working together under a common command or control. MDO are those that involve the integration and synchronization of capabilities and effects across multiple domains to create multiple dilemmas for an adversary. Joint and MDO require a high degree of interoperability, coordination, collaboration, and innovation among the participants.
The shifting balance of power and influence among state and non-state actors
A third trend of modern combat is the shifting balance of power and influence among state and non-state actors, meaning that modern combatants face a more diverse and dynamic set of competitors and collaborators in the global arena. State actors are those that have a defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty, such as countries or international organizations. Non-state actors are those that do not have these characteristics, but still have some degree of influence or impact on international affairs, such as terrorist groups, militias, corporations, or NGOs. Modern combat reflects the changing nature and distribution of power and influence among state and non-state actors, such as the rise of China and Russia as revisionist powers, the emergence of regional powers such as Iran or Turkey as spoilers or challengers, the proliferation of non-state actors such as ISIS or al-Qaeda as threats or partners, or the fragmentation of alliances such as NATO or EU as sources of strength or weakness.
Conclusion
Modern combat is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that poses significant challenges and opportunities for the U.S. and its allies. It is defined by the use of diverse and innovative instruments of power and subversion, the blurring of war and peace time, and the involvement of multiple actors with different interests and goals. It has evolved over time from conventional to unconventional warfare, from drones and precision strikes to hybrid warfare and non-state actors, from AI and cyber warfare to space and cyber domains. It has several features that distinguish it from previous forms of warfare, such as the fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tools, the exploitation of vulnerabilities and information asymmetry, and the ethical and legal dilemmas of using lethal autonomous weapons. It also has several trends that shape its future direction, such as the increasing role of space and cyber domains in warfare, the growing importance of joint and multi-domain operations, and the shifting balance of power and influence among state and non-state actors. Modern combat requires a comprehensive understanding Modern combat requires a comprehensive understanding and adaptation of the U.S. and its allies to the changing nature and methods of warfare in the 21st century. It also requires a clear vision and strategy to leverage their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses in the face of diverse and dynamic adversaries. Modern combat is not only a military challenge, but also a political, economic, social, and cultural one. It demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure the security and prosperity of the U.S. and its allies in a complex and multipolar world.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about modern combat:
What is the difference between modern combat and traditional combat?
Modern combat is warfare that diverges notably from previous military concepts, methods, and technology, emphasizing how combatants must modernize to preserve their battle worthiness. Traditional combat is warfare that follows established military principles, doctrines, and rules, emphasizing how combatants must adhere to their core values and norms.
What are some examples of modern combat?
Some examples of modern combat are the U.S.-led coalition's intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia's annexation of Crimea and intervention in Syria, China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, Iran's proxy wars in Yemen and Lebanon, North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, ISIS's terrorist attacks in Europe and Asia, or cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and institutions.
What are some challenges of modern combat?
Some challenges of modern combat are the ethical and legal dilemmas of using lethal autonomous weapons, the risk of escalation and miscalculation in a complex and multipolar world, the resilience and adaptation of adversaries in a dynamic and uncertain environment, or the erosion of trust and cooperation among allies and partners.
What are some trends of modern combat?
Some trends of modern combat are the increasing role of space and cyber domains in warfare, the growing importance of joint and multi-domain operations, the shifting balance of power and influence among state and non-state actors, or the emergence of new technologies and doctrines that challenge the traditional ways of fighting wars.
How can the U.S. and its allies prepare for modern combat?
The U.S. and its allies can prepare for modern combat by investing in research and development of new capabilities and technologies, enhancing their interoperability and coordination across domains and regions, strengthening their deterrence and defense posture against potential adversaries, building their resilience and readiness against various threats The U.S. and its allies can prepare for modern combat by investing in research and development of new capabilities and technologies, enhancing their interoperability and coordination across domains and regions, strengthening their deterrence and defense posture against potential adversaries, building their resilience and readiness against various threats, and fostering their partnerships and cooperation with like-minded countries and organizations.
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