This whole approach is very interesting.
Basically, the idea is that an asymmetrical war is very hard to win these days. To do a better job, we need to downsize (be more like the British, French or Dutch militaries) if we're to have a decent chance of winning the conflict. Leaving the question aside of whether we should be in the conflict in the first place, if we are to win we should likely purse the development of lightweight, high firepower forces - so Marine-like combat brigades with organic artillery and airmobile assets. Little or no armor I would think, maybe just APCs.
Funny, but I think that Rumsfeld foresaw this need and had planned to realign the US armed forces in this direction. It would seem the current operational tempo is precluding that reorg. I sure hope that someone is keeping an eye on the ball and planning the development of more lightweight forces.
Posted by artandscience at March 6, 2007 03:24 PM