Understanding and Defeating a Complex Adaptive ... - Australian Army

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Decision-Making • Lieutenant Colonel Ian Langford Complexity 1 Linear Entropy Chaotic 1 Figure 3. Most complex adaptive systems Complexity 1 0 Entropy 1 Figure 4. Driving a system into chaos of work lost in a system due to destructive forces such as friction or interference. Knowledge of the type of friction and interference is the focal point of the application of a successful counter-network targeting strategy. It is designed ultimately to induce such entrophy into the network that it ceases to properly function and is rendered a completely chaotic system, having lost all control. This sets in chain the seeds of the network’s own self-destruction. Irregular tactics such as counterinsurgency operations, psychological operations and targeted assistance are especially effective at inducing entrophy into a system. In the case of the Taliban/Mexican cartel network, an effective application of a counter-network attack can be derived by understanding and reviewing the principles and traits that form the network, and then by applying a targeting methodology that seeks to understand complexity and induce entropy. In this instance the attack and defeat mechanism would: page 116 • Volume IX, Number 3 • Australian Army Journal
Understanding and Defeating a Complex Adaptive System • Understand complexity by successfully identifying the different coherent groups in the system, including their contributions to the proper functioning of the entire network; • Understand complexity by discovering the methods by which each group identifies and, therefore interacts with, other parts of the network; • Define and analyse the basic rule set by which the system functions; • Examine the direction, rate and alternative paths of network flows in addition to physical network components, information flows, knowledge flows, people flows, etc; • Induce entropy by determining non-linearities such as choke points, failure thresholds and second order effects; and • Induce entropy by determining methods for creating non-linearities internal to the network, pushing it into chaos and ultimate self-destruction. Conclusion Historically, targeting methodologies has reflected a mechanistic, linear, industrialage approach, but complexity-based targeting uses a more holistic, systems-based approach. Importantly, it identifies each element and its functionality within a system. Complexity-based targeting unifies all methods of attack. It provides more useful, systemic knowledge of a target set and uses that knowledge to induce chaos and destruction through the introduction of non-linearities by transforming controlled behaviour into out-of-control chaos and confusion. How to cope with ‘counter-nation networks’—that is, those complex adaptive systems within the global system that threaten national sovereignty—is a difficult question to ponder, least of all … complexity-based targeting uses a more holistic, systemsbased approach. Importantly, it identifies each element and its functionality within a system. answer. One thing is certain, however: the discovery of the inter-connectedness within these complex adaptive systems and their supporting networks requires a thorough understanding of the principles and traits that underpin these adaptive networks and their complex systems. In the case of terrorism, transnational crime, people-smuggling and drug smuggling, any application of a successful strategy must be underpinned by a sound analysis of the target as well as through the use of a systemic approach in designing an effective attack and defeat mechanism. Gone are the days of attritional operational design; a systems approach is now a fundamental tenet of all successful military strategy. Australian Army Journal • Volume IX, Number 3 • page 117
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