Second-area Operations: A Strategy OptionAmerican defense analysts have recently displayed new interest in a strategic option that invokes a potential for conducting nonnuclear, limited-objective operations in areas remote from the central theaters currently of greatest concern to the United States--Europe and Southwest Asia. This study addresses the proposition that the United States should be prepared both to counter and, if advisable, to exploit a strategy that involves military actions in areas of the world apart from the central theater of a war or major power confrontation. The main issue is to what extent and under what conditions an investment in such military actions constitutes a useful strategy. Having the capability is a useful deterrent; deciding how or when to use it hinges not on the attractiveness of the concept but on the calculated feasibility of bringing off a successful operation without evoking highly undesirable side effects. |
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able advantage allies alter American armies assault assessments assets attack attempt attractive balance become benefits British campaign central century concept concerned conflict confrontation consequences consider considerable continued costs course creating crisis decisions defeat defense depend designed earlier East effects effort enemy escalation essential Europe evaluate example exploit extended forces France French front gains German global goals historical important influence initiator instance intended interests invasion investment involved issue Italy Japanese lateral least less limited losses major means military morale move nature needed negotiated nuclear objectives obvious opponent opportunity options outcomes Pacific past peripheral planning political position possibility potential prepared primary principal probably problem projection region response risks Russians scenarios second-area actions second-area operations secure side situation Soviet Union specialized specific strategy successful tactical term territory theater tion troops United vital vulnerability wars West Western World