World War Fear Looms as Global Conflict Simmers
The Importance of Military Intellect: Investigating War for National Preparedness
A whopping 77% of Americans believe the United States is likely to be involved in the next world war, according to a 2021 poll by YouGov. This concerning statistic stems from the growing alliance between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, who have been supporting each other militarily, economically, and diplomatically in conflicts all around the globe. The U.S., trapped in the crossfire, could be easily drawn into a global conflict.
This creeping fear of a cataclysmic war has yet to spark a sense of urgency among policymakers. Instead, it feels like we're marching towards Armageddon with our eyes wide shut. Meanwhile, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has laid bare the weaknesses in our defense sector and the vulnerabilities of our global supply chains. It's a ticking time bomb we haven't dared to defuse.
In Ukraine, as well as along Israel's borders, novel weapons, strategies, and forms of warfare have emerged. Drones and other autonomous systems are now a daily sight, with Russian and Ukrainian units deploying thousands every day. But this shadow war goes far beyond these borders, with Russia and China engaging in political subversion, cyber-enabled information warfare, and assaults on critical infrastructure—like cutting undersea cables.
Studying war has never been more important. As George Washington once said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." But we're lagging behind. Modernizing the U.S. joint force and expanding production capacity in our defense sector will take time. What we can do in the meantime is up our preparedness. Improving military readiness is paramount, ensuring equipment is well-maintained and units can fight as a cohesive unit. But readiness also requires knowledge—a deep understanding of the art of warfare and the ability to integrate the military instrument with other elements of national power to defeat the enemy and maintain peace.
That's where West Point's War Studies program comes in. We're going to create experts in the art of warfare—experts who can predict and adapt to future conflicts. Using the framework proposed by military historian Sir Michael Howard, West Point's War Studies program will focus on understanding war and warfare in width, depth, and context. We'll study how war has evolved over time and learn from different conflicts across history. We'll dive deep into the dirty, brutal reality of war, experiencing the chaos, confusion, and horror that soldiers face. And we'll study war in its overall context, examining the social, cultural, economic, human, moral, political, and psychological factors that drive and shape conflicts.
The need to study war and prepare for future conflict has never been more urgent. Officers commissioned in our military today are entering a blood-soaked, rapidly changing landscape. Take Ukraine, for example. With a front nearly 800 miles long and a static trench system reminiscent of World War I, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a reminder of what's to come. Skies are swarmed by millions of drones, targeting enemies and conducting reconnaissance missions. The intensity of drone use has magnified the importance of electronic warfare—countermeasures now at the forefront of defense strategy. And with North Korean troops now fighting alongside Russian troops, this conflict is no longer just a regional one—it's gone global.
Iran's involvement in the Middle East has further complicated matters. Their partnership with Russia on weapons development, information sharing, and propaganda has led to a horrific chain reaction of violence. Israel's success in Gaza and southern Lebanon has forced Iran to intensify their attacks using drones and ballistic missiles. But their reach goes even further, with the Houthis—Iran's proxy terrorist group—disrupting global trade and directly attacking U.S. naval assets in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Middle East conflict has become a tangled web, with Russia and Iran working together to defeat Israel. But the consequences of their actions have taken them by surprise. Bashar al-Assad's puppet regime in Syria collapsed unexpectedly, a significant geopolitical setback for both states. But the loss of Syria hasn't destroyed their strategic partnership—they're still working together, executing their military campaigns in Ukraine and the Middle East like a well-oiled machine. And China is the engine that keeps this deadly alliance moving, determined to replace the United States as the dominant global power.
The U.S. simply can't afford to be caught off-guard. We need our warriors to be smart, agile, and prepared for whatever comes our way. That's why the War Studies program at West Point was designed—to produce leaders who can predict the future and adapt to the evolving landscape of warfare. By studying recent and ongoing conflicts, we're setting cadets up for success, preparing them to lead American soldiers in battle and provide the best military advice to civilian officials at the highest levels of government. Our future is uncertain, but our fighting force will be prepared, no matter what the future holds.
Brigadier General Shane Reeves serves as the fifteenth dean of the Academic Board of the United States Military Academy. He previously served as head of the Department of Law at West Point, and he has written extensively on the law of armed conflict and national security issues. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is the founder of the Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
Image credit: Robert L. Fisher III, US Army
- The looming fear of a world war has triggered concerns about national security and defense, as over 77% of Americans believe the United States may be involved in the next global conflict.
- The emergent warfare strategies such as drone usage, cyber-enabled information warfare, and political subversion by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea demand urgent military innovation.
- To equip future military leaders, the War Studies program at West Point aims to produces experts in strategy and the art of warfare, focusing on understanding war and warfare in width, depth, and context.
- Military preparedness is essential in light of recent global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel conflict, which have demonstrated the need for advanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities and strategic intelligence.
- Civil-military relations are crucial in maintainingBalancing the demands of national security and politics is essential for effective defense strategizing and overall security.
- The evolving landscape of warfare, characterized by drone warfare, information wars, and proxy conflicts across the world, requires agile leadership and a cohesive military force that can adapt to emerging threats.
- General-news reports suggest that the alliance between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea continues to strengthen, and their collective actions pose a potential security threat to the United States and its allies. Understanding these complex relationships and adapting accordingly through military strategy, innovation, and leadership will be key to securing future peace.
