A Departure from Centers of Gravity w Dr. Ben Zweibelson

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Jul 15, 2023

Dr. Ben Zweibelson, from USSPACECOM, challenges traditional Center of Gravity analysis in warfare, exploring emergent systems in conflict. The podcast discusses the evolution of military strategies across different domains, contrasts Western and Eastern philosophies on war, and explores the fusion of design thinking with military planning. Dr. Zweibelson emphasizes the need for innovative approaches in military education and doctrine to adapt to future challenges.

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INSIGHT

Western War Frame

The West's war frame is Newtonian, Westphalian, Clausewitzian, Napoleonic, Baconian.
This war frame, dominant for centuries, struggles with new domains like space and cyberspace.

INSIGHT

Space Domain Paradox

Continental strategy is sequential, while air and sea strategies are cumulative.
Space domain warfare uniquely combines both sequential and cumulative aspects.

INSIGHT

Problem-Solving Approaches

The West's approach to problems is based on a predetermined goal and heroic action.
This contrasts with Eastern philosophies emphasizing upstream manipulation and preemptive action.

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Season 1 episode 12 of the Operational Arch is part two of our conversation with guest Dr. Ben Zweibelson where he talks all things Center of Gravity. Ben argues that Centers of Gravity insufficiently prepare us to understand the emergent systems spawned when two opposing forces collide, and offers some alternative constructs we might use to make sense of increasingly complex systems.

Dr. Zweibelson is the Director for the U.S. Space Command’s (USSPACECOM) Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG). Previously, Ben was the lead design educator/facilitator for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) through the Joint Special Operations University. A retired U.S. Army Infantry officer and veteran of multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ben has an undergraduate degree (BA in Fine Arts) in Graphic Design from the University of Connecticut, three different master’s degrees (Louisiana State University, Air Command and Staff College, US Army School of Advanced Military Studies) and a doctorate in Philosophy from Lancaster University (UK). Ben is also the author of the recently released book "Understanding the Military Design Movement: War, Change, and Innovation."

Through the month of July '23, use code SMA35 to get 20% off physical and digital copies of his book "Understanding the Military Design Movement." https://www.routledge.com/Understanding-the-Military-Design-Movement-War-Change-and-Innovation/Zweibelson/p/book/9781032481784

Links to Dr. Zweibelson's Publications:

- Understanding the Military Design Movement: War, Change, and Innovation https://a.co/d/eotFjmb

- "Rhizomes: In Paradox to ‘Centers of Gravity’ and Centralized Hierarchies in War" https://aodnetwork.ca/rhizomes-in-paradox-to-centers-of-gravity-and-centralized-hierarchies-in-war/

- Part 1 and Part 2 of the "Looking to the Future" section in JAMS Vol 13, no. 2 https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MCU-Journal/JAMS-vol-14-no-1/

MAJs Josh Bedingfield, Kesley Kurtz, and Dan Warner are the hosts for this episode. You can contact them at operationalarch@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

School of Advanced Military Studies: https://armyuniversity.edu/CGSC/SAMS/SAMS Twitter: https://twitter.com/us_sams

Intro and Outro Music: "On and On" by Christian Bedingfield