Swords into Stilettos

This paper argues the U.S., given an uncertain strategic forecast, should not move to transform its military radically, as the more zealous technology advocates desire. The U.S. must also consider how any changes in its military posture, i.e., forces and their doctrine, will affect its foreign policy, specifically the ability to build and sustain effective military alliances and coalitions. By changing in different ways, or at a faster pace, than key military partners, the U.S. could unintentionally reduce its global influence. Further, Americans should not delude themselves, or let themselves be deluded, about the nature of warfare. Technology will not make warless horrible, and it does not provide a panacea for the range of things the U.S. will undoubtedly need its military members to do in the coming decades. Finally, by shunning radical transformation in favor of a hedging approach to overall military strategy, the U.S. assumes an obligation to keep itself maximally flexible.