Science, Strategy and War The Strategic Theory of ... - Boekje Pienter

extent in the novel approach for thinking about strategy, making strategic theory and makingstrategy, and in introducing current scientific developments into strategic theory.Although Boyd would probably have disapproved of this label, in this aspect of hiswork also lies the justification to regard his work to fall very comfortably within the postmodernframework of the social sciences, and Boyd can be considered the first post-modernstrategist both in content and in his approach to making strategy and strategic theory, in lightof the similarities of his work and his sources with moderate post-modern social theorists,with developments in post-modern security and strategic studies, and because of theeconomic or technologist interpretation of post-modernism, which has spawned correlatingviews of post-modern war and post-modern warfare.Boyd furthermore infected a generation of senior military and political leaders withthe virus of novelty and led them to think in different ways about the conduct of war. Itinspired AirLand Battle, C2W, Information Warfare concepts and US Marines doctrine.Today his ideas inform emerging warfighting concepts such as Network-Centric Warfare.Those arguments alone would argue for closely studying and appreciating the incredibleachievement of Boyd. But his influence is even more widespread if unconscious in most ofus. Reading through Boyd’s work nowadays one does not encounter novelty or experiencedifficulty following his arguments and accepting his ideas. His language and logic, his ideas,terms and concepts are part and parcel now of the military conceptual frame of reference.Western military organizations have to a large extent internalized Boyd’s concepts, andperhaps even learned Boyd’s way of thinking.Moreover, Boyd’s work offers important insights for understanding the threats ofthe “post- 9/11” world. So called asymmetric responses to western modes of warfare toobecome a natural feature only to be expected from adversaries. An adversary is a complexadaptive system attempting to adapt, to survive and prosper. The attacks of “9/11”introduced the contours of a new warform, and the West has been challenged to understandthe nature of this new game of survival. In no small measure is it waged in the cognitive andmoral domain. Ideas such as interaction and isolation can be traced in counter terrorismpublications and policy, and the need for rapid adaptation can be seen in the changes inWestern intelligence services and the creation of homeland security organizations in directresponse to the threats which has blurred the boundaries of external and internal security.Orientation is indeed key.Azar Gat said that:New and significant intellectual constructions usually emerge at times of fundamental change orparadigmatic shifts, when prevailing ways of interpreting and coping with reality no longer seemadequate. Rather than being alone in their views, the thinkers who generate them usually maketheir names by early sensing, conceptualizing, and turning into philosophical and politicalprograms the feelings and notions which are beginning to emerge, more or less hazily, aroundthem 136 .Those words apply to the position, approach and relevance of John Boyd. Boyd’s work iscomprehensive, novel and important.136 Azar Gat (1998), p.307.316