This Means War Is manœuvre a myth?
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Aug 24, 2023 Amos Fox, an independent military analyst and expert on military theory and strategy, joins to dissect the concept of maneuver in modern warfare. They challenge the dominance of maneuverism in Western military thought, especially in the context of the Ukraine conflict. The discussion reveals how attrition and environmental factors shape warfare, particularly in urban settings. Fox argues for a reevaluation of military tactics, emphasizing that flexibility and historical context are vital to understanding contemporary conflicts and strategies.
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Maneuver Isn't Always Superior
- The Western military doctrine elevates maneuver warfare as the sole efficient combat method without accepting universal applicability.
- However, examples from Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Ukraine show attrition and positional warfare remain valid and often more successful.
Context Dictates Maneuver Feasibility
- The core principles of attacking will, cohesion, and avoiding enemy strengths apply broadly beyond maneuver warfare.
- Context and conditions, such as urban terrain, often dictate when maneuver is feasible, highlighting the opponent’s rational adaptations.
Historical Examples of Maneuver and Annihilation
- Insurgencies, from the American Revolution to Lawrence's desert campaign, have consistently applied maneuverist principles effectively.
- Conversely, many battles focus on decisive annihilation to remove enemy fighting capacity regardless of will, showing different valid approaches.