Coalition Warfare: the Leadership Challenges

Abstract

Abstract : This monograph highlights that effective senior military leadership in coalition operations demands a range of leadership skills that differ from those required when operating within a unilateral military environment where the commander is working to a unified civilian and military leadership. This examination of coalition operations and the attributes required by a successful senior coalition commander will be extremely valuable for future commanders as they prepare to operate in a multinational or coalition environment. In order to determine the leadership attributes of the successful coalition commander at the strategic and operational levels this monograph analyzes coalition operations. A definition of coalition operations is provided and a comparison is made between coalitions and alliances. The monograph determines the characteristics of coalition operations, looking specifically at the political and military nature of these operations. This monograph shows that coalition commanders face a series of challenges that are wide ranging in nature. This monograph determines that leading a coalition operation successfully demands a range of skills that are more consultative than they are direct in their approach. The effective commander will listen attentively to his coalition partners and will have a keen appreciation of their military capabilities as well as an understanding of their domestic political interests and motivations for being in the coalition. The capable coalition commander will be able to make decisions based on judgments about a wide range of competing priorities, not only those concerning his own nation, but also from those of the contributing nations. He will determine clear objectives that are in line with the political intent of the various nations within the coalition, and will ensure these are well understood by all participants.