Some Observations on Gabriella Blum's 'Fog of Victory'

Abstract

Gabriella Blum's brilliant article wrestles with central question of modern conflict: what does look like, and whatever it looks like, what does it mean - or, perhaps more accurately, what should it mean? This brief article seeks to address her work through lens of author's military experience. That perspective would define in Clausewitzean terms, that is, point at which a belligerent is compelled to submit his will to his opponent. As Blum points out, that seeming clarity is obscured in many modern conflicts involving non-traditional actors and warfighting methodologies. While Just War doctrine resonates in armed forces, decision to go to war is largely considered a political matter beyond military's purview. Jus in bello, however, does lie in military's realm as much depends on perception of rightness in contemporary conflicts if victory is to be obtained. Yet Professor Blum's central thesis about importance of clear goals in contemporary conflicts remains undisturbed. Her further observation that the problem of fog of extends not only to international but also to domestic civil-military relations has obvious and enduring relevance.