Think Before You Act

Published: October 17, 2016

Defining the Political End State in Military Conflicts

When we decide we need to take military action, how do we make sure we do it right? Whether it’s fighting against ISIS in the Middle East, driving the Iraqis out of Kuwait, or confronting the Axis Powers in World War II, every military campaign should start with a very clear idea of how we want the situation to end – what we call a “clearly defined political end state.”

Discussion Questions

1. Do all clearly defined political end states require military force?
2. What would a clearly defined political end state look like if the United States decided it wanted to commit resources to destroy ISIS?