Modern War Institute
The Collapse of the Continuum of Conflict
Apr 4, 2025
Mara Karlin, a professor at Johns Hopkins and former assistant secretary of defense, delves into the evolving nature of warfare. She challenges the traditional continuum of conflict, explaining how events like the Hamas attacks and the war in Ukraine demonstrate a blend of warfare characteristics. The discussion touches on the necessity for modern deterrence strategies, the complexities of comprehensive conflict, and the cultural shifts needed in the military to align with contemporary security challenges.
50:01
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Quick takeaways
- The collapse of the traditional continuum of conflict necessitates a new understanding of warfare, where various combat modalities coexist and interact.
- Current military strategies require a cultural shift within the U.S. military, fostering adaptability and better engagement with the evolving landscape of global security.
Deep dives
Understanding Ersatz Victories
The concept of ersatz victory refers to the notion of redefining success in conflicts, particularly in the context of post-9/11 wars, where the primary objective has shifted to minimizing casualties. This focus emerged as a coping mechanism in situations where achieving traditional military victories seemed unattainable. For example, rather than securing clear, decisive victories, the emphasis became about preserving troops' lives and avoiding additional losses. Such a mindset risks undermining the military's core purpose of achieving strategic objectives and could lead to a crisis of confidence within the armed forces.
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