ML Cavanaugh (editor) - Strategy strikes back : how Star Wars explains modern military conflict

Stanley McChrystal

I remember the attack on the Death Star. Its approach threatened defeat of the Rebel cause, but destroying the ominous warship required a perfectly precise bombing run conducted through a gauntlet of enemy fighters and fire. Pilot and budding Jedi knight Luke Skywalker does it with notable skill and awesome courage. The Death Star explodes across the screen, and the movie concludes with a triumphant ceremony.

The Rebel attack was dramatic and successful but hardly decisive or strategic. The very title of the next film in the series, The Empire Strikes Back, signaled that the war was far from over, and we see Luke Skywalker journey to his roots in order to develop the Jedi skills he will need for an extended struggle. Lukes preparation is reminiscent of Mao Tse-tungs doctrine of three phases of a peoples war.

The study of strategy is a never-ending labor. In its best practice, we identify the necessary ways and means to achieve our desired endsor more simply put, we determine an outcome that is realistically achievable and commit ourselves to devoting the resources and taking the actions necessary to gain that outcome. It demands rigorous integrity in predicting the costs we must bear to attain success and a moral pledge to stay the course.

Too often we produce faux strategy by underestimating the difficulties we must overcome, by ignoring the limitations of our force, or by assuming a level of commitment to the cause that proves illusory. Rebellions, whether against the Galactic Empire or another powerful entity, are frequently ignited by firebrand ideologues but, after the romance has faded, are typically the progeny of relentlessly dedicated, harshly realistic operators. Strategies produced at the outset of almost every war give way to less ambitious but more realistic plans when tempered and shaped in realitys forge.

It can feel frivolous to ascribe lessons in strategy to popular movies, much less to science fiction in particular. The characters and events spring from the imaginations and keyboards of clever people, but they arent realnone of this really happened (yet).

But thats a narrow view, the kind that proclaims art impractical or history irrelevant. In fact, fiction offers an extraordinary opportunity to craft a narrative that highlights both the challenges and criticality of viable strategy while controlling for other considerations. In weighing history, we often argue over the facts or allow aspects of personality to color our view. There are an infinite number of variables to be factored and disputed, which often distracts us from a clear-eyed assessment of strategy.

Of course, with science fiction, we often suspend disbelief to accept the excitement of the story; but as with Stars Wars, thats no reason the concepts of strategy shown have to be unbelievable. In fact, throughout the series there are repeated depictions of characters and situations that invite the analysis of serious students of strategy.

Like many things in life, the appropriateness and viability of a strategy is best evaluated in the rearview mirrorbut life rarely drives in reverse. Many readers of this book have developed and executed strategies of significant importance and will continue to do so, but no one could ever master the craft beyond the need for continuous study.

Wisdom is where you find it. Dont be afraid to look in unexpected places. This is a great place to start.