Western Way of War Is the West Developing Innovation Fatigue?
Jan 21, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Laura Schousboe, a PhD fellow specializing in military innovation at the Royal Danish Defence College, and host Peter Roberts tackle the pressing issue of innovation fatigue in Western militaries. They highlight how the relentless push for military innovation may lead to disillusionment and hinder future advancements. The conversation dives into the challenges of integrating new technologies, the misconceptions within the American way of war, and the fragmented strategies of innovation in both US and UK forces.
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American Way of War Nuances
- The American way of war differs between the ideal and historical practice, often involving small wars where expected characteristics like overwhelming force are absent.
- It is also mutable and used analytically to understand military innovation and operations beyond static definitions.
US Drives Innovation Elevation
- Innovation is not new to militaries, but the US has strategically elevated it to transcend all military activities, making it a central buzzword.
- This has led to a focus on revolutionary technologies rather than incremental improvements or legacy system enhancements.
Wartime vs Peacetime Innovation
- Militaries often innovate more effectively during wartime, but important peacetime innovations also occur, such as doctrinal and intellectual changes.
- The idea that wartime innovation is superior is a useful but not absolute distinction in military development.