Air Power As A Coercive Instrument

Air Power As A Coercive Instrument

Coercionâ€•the use of threatened force to induce an adversary to change its behaviorâ€•is a critical function of the U.S. military. U.S. forces have recently fought in the Balkans, the Persian Gulf, and the Horn of Africa to compel recalcitrant regimes and warlords to stop repression, abandon weapons programs, permit humanitarian relief, and otherwise modify their actions. Yet despite its overwhelming military might, the United States often fails to coerce successfully. This report examines the phenomenon of coercion and how air power can contribute to its success. Three factors increase the likelihood of successful coercion: (1) the coercer's ability to raise the costs it imposes while denying the adversary the chance to respond (escalation dominance); (2) an ability to block an adversary's military strategy for victory; and (3) an ability to magnify third-party threats, such as internal instability or the danger posed by another enemy. Domestic
Country USA
Brand RAND Corporation
Manufacturer RAND Corporation
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber illustrations
ReleaseDate 1999-09-20
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780833027436

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