On the Genetics of Military Operations: A Powerful Metaphor
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Abstract
Military operations are complex adaptive systems in which the means applied must be regarded as important as the ends sought. Complex adaptive systems work in an everything–affects–everything mode with various levels of interrelatedness. Conceptualizing military operations as a complex adaptive system allows biological evolution to be used as point of departure. Thus military operations are seen as a process that rests on adaptation and mutation in which the challenge is to offset changing conditions coming both from the environment and interaction with the enemy. The effects landscape as proposed metaphor makes clear that evolution by natural selection and the conduct of war are intimately related. Both reflect conflict, survival, and conquest in a very similar and fundamental way. The proposed metaphor helps think about military operations differently by also offering some advantages.