Revolution in Military Affairs

In this episode of the Revolution in Military Affairs podcast, Dr. Andrew Carr discusses his paper "Strategy as Problem Solving: A Framework for Understanding the Changing Character of Contemporary Competition." The paper examines how great power competition in the 21st century is different from traditional geopolitical competition and argues that a new approach to strategy is needed to address these challenges. Dr. Carr also discusses the role of strategy in addressing specific problems and the importance of asking good questions in the process. Carr defines strategy as problem-solving in complex systems and argues that strategists need to focus on diagnosing problems rather than setting goals. Carr posits that the term "strategy" has become an overused buzzword and proposes a redefinition that centers on problem-solving and harnessing complexity science. Carr also discusses the idea of strategy as problem solving a methodology that differs from traditional approaches to teaching strategy. He also discusses ways to teach this methodology, including the use of case studies and the need for active learning in professional education. 

The current strategic competition between the US and China resembles the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. Both sides are engaged in an arms race, a space race, and economic warfare. The potential flashpoint for a major conflict is Taiwan, which is crucial for both sides due to its strategic geographic location and symbolic value. Unlike the Soviet Union, China is a long-standing civilization and is not likely to collapse, making the strategy for winning the Cold War more complex. In this episode, Amos and Dimitri Alperovitch, author of "World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China for the Race of the 21st Century," discusses the importance of understanding the history and destiny of Taiwan within the context of US-China relations. Alperovitch also shares the five reasons why Taiwan matters to China: history, destiny, security, geography, and ego. Alperovitch argues that prioritizing the US's focus on China is essential in preventing conflict and ensuring victory. This is a terrific discussion that you do not want to miss.

"The Tank is Dead … Long Live the Tank: The Persistent Value of Armored Combined Arms Teams in the 21st Century," Military Review. Here,