Team Redstone ’s Post

CAN EUROPE GO IT WITHOUT AMERICA? THAT QUESTION HAS TAKEN ON GREATER IMMEDIACY AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POOR PERFORMANCE AGAINST DONITO TRUMPOLINI THE OTHER NIGHT. "Europe’s future without America’s tight embrace is the theme of Foreign Policy’s Summer 2024 issue, just in time for NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington. For the cover article, I asked nine prominent thinkers—including Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt—to each write about Europe’s ability to fend for itself in a world where U.S. support is no longer guaranteed. In a companion essay that we pre-released last week, Hal Brands tells us how Europe could fracture if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election this fall. Parts of this issue are hopeful; others make for grim reading. But with war just a train ride away, it’s a topic no European can avoid. It’s also a topic whose ripple effects will be felt in almost every corner of the world." READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/eZMMhxwt

Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz famously asserted that war is the continuation of politics by other means.  This succinct statement encapsulates the essential link between political objectives and military actions.  In today’s multifaceted conflicts, understanding this relationship is paramount.  Whether dealing with interstate wars, asymmetric threats, or hybrid warfare, policymakers recognise that war cannot be isolated from broader political and societal contexts.  von Clausewitz’s insight underscores the need for strategic alignment between military efforts and overarching policy goals. von Clausewitz’s analysis of war’s nature remains relevant.  He introduced the concept of the trinity of war, comprising three essential elements: government, military, and people.  This holistic approach recognises that war involves more than just battles — it encompasses political leadership, societal support, and strategic planning.  Even in conflicts involving non-state actors, understanding these interconnected components helps analyse the complex interplay of forces.  The trinity theory reminds us that successful conflict resolution requires addressing all three dimensions simultaneously.  This is the basis for Singapore’s Total Defence Doctrine, for example. von Clausewitz’s strategic theories were significantly influenced by his life experiences and the context in which he lived.  von Clausewitz served in the Prussian army during the Napoleonic Wars.  His first-hand experience of warfare, battles, and military strategy informed his thinking.  Witnessing the complexities, uncertainties, and brutal realities of war deeply impacted his theories. von Clausewitz lived during a time of great political upheaval, with Europe in turmoil due to the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic conquests.  His exposure to political and diplomatic challenges influenced his understanding of war as an instrument of policy. von Clausewitz's dialectical method — exploring opposing concepts and their synthesis — was shaped by his intellectual environment.  His exposure to German philosophy and thinkers like Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel influenced his analytical approach.  von Clausewitz’s work contains both a General Theory applicable to all wars, and specific observations about warfare during his time.  He recognised that while the nature of war remains constant, warfare evolves over time. His experiences reinforced the idea that war is inherently linked to politics.  His famous quote, “War is the continuation of politics by other means,” reflects this perspective.  The dynamic relationship between military means and political ends became a central theme in his theories. (Continued) Terence Nunis Terence K. J. Nunis, Consultant Chief Executive Officer, Equinox GEMTZ

The future of Western-led stability and peace is currently coming at too high a cost and with uncertain capability, deterrence and force projection outcomes. While the ideal future comes with less need for military capability, reliant instead on diplomatic and otherwise peaceful options, I can’t help but think that part of the answer lies in incentivizing the innovation industry to deliver better tech faster and at lower cost. Dan Grazier, Julia Gledhill (she/her) and Geoffrey Wilson of the The Stimson Center put out an illuminating paper that underscored that current and projected defense spending isn’t giving us the capability we need, and isn’t even giving us value for the taxpayer money being spent. Reveal Technology is a rising member of the defense innovation ecosystem. Our young community needs to be awarded more and more production contracts over the minimally-innovative traditional contractors. Further, this generational revolution needs to be supported by Congress, the only entity empowered to force beneficial change into the National Security enterprise. https://lnkd.in/gz_VBQx9 #nationalsecurity #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation

With National Service now trending , upping this piece I wrote in January on getting society ready for war. There are many models of national service out there and a bespoke solution is needed which fits the society in question. However, the most important part is a genuine public debate and discussion on why it is needed and how it will be implemented. https://lnkd.in/exa8-fye

Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz asserted that war is not an isolated event but a continuation of politics.  It serves political objectives and is shaped by the interplay of power, interests, and resources.  This perspective underscores the need for strategy to align with broader political aims.  This was a revolutionary thought because it officially acknowledged that war was a political option, and part of policymaking.  He defined strategy as something which arises from the reality of limited resources.  No entity, regardless of size, possesses unlimited means.  Thus, strategy involves making deliberate choices on how to allocate these finite resources to achieve competitive advantage.  The strategist's talent lies in identifying the decisive point — the critical vulnerability of the enemy — and concentrating efforts there.  By focusing resources on this pivotal aspect, one can achieve disproportionate impact. von Clausewitz acknowledged the fog of war, where uncertainty, chaos, and friction hinder perfect execution.  Understanding and mitigating these challenges are essential for effective strategy.  He advocated for total war, emphasising the comprehensive mobilisation of a nation’s resources to achieve victory.  This concept influenced subsequent conflicts and strategic thinking.  von Clausewitz rejected rigid rules, recognising that war’s dynamics involve genius, historical context, moral forces, and chance.  These nonlinear elements shape military outcomes.  This was undoubtedly influenced by the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte prioritised mobility.  During his Italian campaign, he repeatedly outmanoeuvred opponents, choosing battle locations advantageous to him.  His emphasis on movement influenced subsequent generations of military commanders.  Napoleon's mathematical acumen and tactical brilliance made him an innovative artillerist.  He championed lighter field guns, enabling rapid deployment and concentrated firepower.  His mobile batteries set the stage for future artillery developments. Unlike his predecessors, Napoleon aimed to feed his armies from the land rather than relying on extensive supply lines.  This unburdened his forces and made him less vulnerable to enemy manoeuvres.  Encouraging professional armies born from the French Revolution, Napoleon transformed military structures.  His commitment to disciplined, well-trained troops influenced subsequent military reforms.  This was undoubtedly influenced by the Prussian King, Frederick the Great’s reforms. (Continued) Terence Nunis Terence K. J. Nunis, Consultant Chief Executive Officer, Equinox GEMTZ

Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz asserted that war is not an isolated event but a continuation of politics.  It serves political objectives and is shaped by the interplay of power, interests, and resources.  This perspective underscores the need for strategy to align with broader political aims.  This was a revolutionary thought because it officially acknowledged that war was a political option, and part of policymaking.  He defined strategy as something which arises from the reality of limited resources.  No entity, regardless of size, possesses unlimited means.  Thus, strategy involves making deliberate choices on how to allocate these finite resources to achieve competitive advantage.  The strategist's talent lies in identifying the decisive point — the critical vulnerability of the enemy — and concentrating efforts there.  By focusing resources on this pivotal aspect, one can achieve disproportionate impact. von Clausewitz acknowledged the fog of war, where uncertainty, chaos, and friction hinder perfect execution.  Understanding and mitigating these challenges are essential for effective strategy.  He advocated for total war, emphasising the comprehensive mobilisation of a nation’s resources to achieve victory.  This concept influenced subsequent conflicts and strategic thinking.  von Clausewitz rejected rigid rules, recognising that war’s dynamics involve genius, historical context, moral forces, and chance.  These nonlinear elements shape military outcomes.  This was undoubtedly influenced by the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte prioritised mobility.  During his Italian campaign, he repeatedly outmanoeuvred opponents, choosing battle locations advantageous to him.  His emphasis on movement influenced subsequent generations of military commanders.  Napoleon's mathematical acumen and tactical brilliance made him an innovative artillerist.  He championed lighter field guns, enabling rapid deployment and concentrated firepower.  His mobile batteries set the stage for future artillery developments. Unlike his predecessors, Napoleon aimed to feed his armies from the land rather than relying on extensive supply lines.  This unburdened his forces and made him less vulnerable to enemy manoeuvres.  Encouraging professional armies born from the French Revolution, Napoleon transformed military structures.  His commitment to disciplined, well-trained troops influenced subsequent military reforms.  This was undoubtedly influenced by the Prussian King, Frederick the Great’s reforms. (Continued) Terence Nunis Terence K. J. Nunis, Consultant Chief Executive Officer, Equinox GEMTZ

If we are to be the defense “partner of choice,” then we should pay attention to a potential partner’s economic interests. So says this article I was pleased to publish with Parameters. https://lnkd.in/eu_TUDzi

I’ve looked at the causes and consequences of multinational exercise in depth and find that Brian’s argument is both unique and very important. He persuasively argues that states’ openness to international trade is a powerful predictor of participation in US-led exercises, even accounting for alliance status and regime type. Understanding the economic interests of states on the fence about cooperating with the US military is just as important as assuring their security interests. Planners should get creative in leveraging the overlap between the two in the competition for influence (and more practically access and basing rights) against competitors.

CT Group's global poll, as reported in the AFR today, finds continuing high public support across Australia, the UK and the US for the AUKUS security alliance two years on. Australians in particular, see benefits for their domestic economy through job creation and skills development.   Britons are supportive of advanced military capabilities that could be achieved through AUKUS, while Americans are strongly in favour of promoting innovation and the advancement of new technologies in defence.   Voters in all countries show strong backing for information and technology sharing with allies.   Eugene Curley CMG OBE, Executive Director at CT Group, says evolving security environments require a “broader mobilisation” of national resources beyond conventional military capabilities.   CT Group has launched AUKUS Advantage, a premium service to help clients secure long-term business advantages from the AUKUS framework.  Jamie Gray Clare Kennedy Catherine Douglas David Bell David Gillian #AUKUS

Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz famously asserted that war is the continuation of politics by other means.  This succinct statement encapsulates the essential link between political objectives and military actions.  In today’s multifaceted conflicts, understanding this relationship is paramount.  Whether dealing with interstate wars, asymmetric threats, or hybrid warfare, policymakers recognise that war cannot be isolated from broader political and societal contexts.  von Clausewitz’s insight underscores the need for strategic alignment between military efforts and overarching policy goals. von Clausewitz’s analysis of war’s nature remains relevant.  He introduced the concept of the trinity of war, comprising three essential elements: government, military, and people.  This holistic approach recognises that war involves more than just battles — it encompasses political leadership, societal support, and strategic planning.  Even in conflicts involving non-state actors, understanding these interconnected components helps analyse the complex interplay of forces.  The trinity theory reminds us that successful conflict resolution requires addressing all three dimensions simultaneously.  This is the basis for Singapore’s Total Defence Doctrine, for example. von Clausewitz’s strategic theories were significantly influenced by his life experiences and the context in which he lived.  von Clausewitz served in the Prussian army during the Napoleonic Wars.  His first-hand experience of warfare, battles, and military strategy informed his thinking.  Witnessing the complexities, uncertainties, and brutal realities of war deeply impacted his theories. von Clausewitz lived during a time of great political upheaval, with Europe in turmoil due to the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic conquests.  His exposure to political and diplomatic challenges influenced his understanding of war as an instrument of policy. von Clausewitz's dialectical method — exploring opposing concepts and their synthesis — was shaped by his intellectual environment.  His exposure to German philosophy and thinkers like Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel influenced his analytical approach.  von Clausewitz’s work contains both a General Theory applicable to all wars, and specific observations about warfare during his time.  He recognised that while the nature of war remains constant, warfare evolves over time. His experiences reinforced the idea that war is inherently linked to politics.  His famous quote, “War is the continuation of politics by other means,” reflects this perspective.  The dynamic relationship between military means and political ends became a central theme in his theories. (Continued) Terence Nunis Terence K. J. Nunis, Consultant Chief Executive Officer, Equinox GEMTZ