Operational Art in a Middle-Power Context
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
This monograph considers whether operational art and the operational level of conflict are viable constructs for Canada or other middle-powers. Like most of America's close allies, Canada quickly followed the US lead by adopting these operational concepts into its service and joint doctrine. However, these concepts are framed in a great-power context of large-force, large-theater, high-intensity operations that is of questionable relevance to middle-powers, and their small, tactically focused militaries. This study first examines operational doctrine and theory in order to distill operational art into terms applicable across the spectrum of conflict and scale of operations. It then explores Canadian strategic imperatives and the Canadian Army's historical experience, to determine if and how the operational art and level have been practiced in the past, and whether they are feasible, acceptable and suitable constructs for the Canadian military today. This monograph shows that in today's complex operating environment, Canada is coming under increasing pressure to take more prominent roles in coalition operations. To meet this challenge, and to ensure Canada retains the ability to exert strategic influence, the Canadian Forces need to refocus on fielding salient, self-contained forces that can think operationally and function at the operational level.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Customer Reviews
ThriftBooks® and the ThriftBooks® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
