(H/T AEI Defense Studies and Small Wars Journal) NATO's Defense College has published a new edited volume on complex operations that should be of great interest to those interested in contemporary COIN, operational art, and strategy. There's plenty of great stuff here, but I want to highlight the great essay by Jeremiah Pam on wicked problems and complexity.
Pam looks at the public policy, complex adaptive systems theory, urban planning, and economic theory roots of our knowledge of "wicked problems" and complexity in operations. He also connects our current issues in civil-military operational cooperation to the longstanding issues of complex development and aid projects studied by luminaries such as William Easterly of NYU. Pam also looks at the literature in business and public policy planning and the lessons it might have for political-military strategy. All in all, a standout chapter !
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