Nonlethality and American Land Power

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Strategic Context and Operational Concepts Within the U.S. Army, this is a time of both excitement and challenge. As immense change takes place in the global security environment, American land power must be adapted to assure it can continue to protect and promote national interests into the 21st century. This requires the development and integration of a range of new technologies, concepts, and organizations. Among these, nonlethality --using armed force in a way that minimizes casualties-- shows promise for specialized applications. Nonlethal technology, concepts and doctrine may provide the Army a way to retain its political utility and military effectiveness in a security environment characterized by ambiguity and the glare of world public opinion. To explore this, the Army is undertaking programs and initiatives which may make it the driving force in nonlethality. This study by Steven Metz and Douglas C. Lovelace, Jr., is a contribution to this effort. In it, they place nonlethality within its larger strategic context and explain how it is related to the revolution in military affairs. They then assess the arguments for and against the integration of nonlethality into American doctrine and procedures. Finally, they offer operational concepts which could serve as the basis for doctrine and for tactics, techniques, and procedures. The Strategic Studies Institute is pleased to offer this report as a contribution to the ongoing process of refining American land power. Larry M. Wortzel Colonel, U.S. Army Director, Strategic Studies Institute