Science of Military Strategy - 2020: English Translation

Science of Military Strategy - 2020This is the most recent release of this seminal work. Translated to English language.Look for the AUDIOBOOK. Coming SOON.We print these paperbacks as a service so you don’t have to. The books are compact, tightly-bound paperback, full-size (8 ½ by 11 inches), with large text and glossy cover. 4th Watch Publishing Co. is a SDVOSB. Below is an excerpt.Chapter 8. 战略威慑 (Strategic Deterrence) Strategic deterrence is an important part of military strategic planning and guidance, and an effective means of maintaining national security and development. With the high technology in the military and the extensive use of new domains and the development and changes of the international strategic situation, the role of strategic deterrence has become increasingly prominent. Under the conditions of the new era, it is necessary to commit to flexible use of strategic deterrence means to create a favorable strategic situation, contain armed conflicts and wars, delay the outbreak of wars, and prevent the escalation and expansion of wars, avoiding or reducing the destruction of war and safeguard the ever-expanding national security and development interests.Section One: Basic Concepts of Strategic DeterrenceAlthough the thought and practice of strategic deterrence has existed since ancient times, its basic concept has not been accurately defined in the long historical process of human endeavors. After the Second World War, with the emergence and development of modern strategic deterrence theory, the definition, elements, types and functions of strategic deterrence have been obtained, researched extensively and in great depth.The meaning of strategic deterrenceStrategic deterrence refers to the comprehensive use of various means by the country and the military to achieve certain political goals, based on strong military strength, through clever demonstration of strength and determination to use strength so that the other party faces unreasonable or even unbearable consequences, thus being forced to give in, compromise or surrender a form of military struggle.Compared with actual combat, the strength of strategic deterrence is lower, the cost is lower, and the room for maneuver is larger. Under certain conditions, it can directly achieve political goals. It is an important way to fight for military affairs and a strategic means to maintain national security. Strategic deterrence can be implemented both in peacetime and in times of crisis or war.Strategic deterrence targets the opponent’s psychological, cognitive and decision-making systems, and its mechanism of action is to make the opponent realize that certain measures should be taken when weighing the benefits and losses to show that such action would entail significant costs and losses, beyond its capacity and benefits. The greater the loss and cost are foreseen by the other party, the greater the power of reasoning, cognition, and decision-making, and the more effective deterrence will be.Effective strategic deterrence must possess three basic elements: strength, determination and information transfer. Strength is the foundation of deterrence, and deterrence without strength can only be seen as bluff. Power is divided into hard power and soft power. Hard power includes national literacy, population, economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and military strength. The hard power facts are its main body and core. Soft power mainly includes political influence, diplomatic ability, cultural attraction and national cohesion, and amplifies the role of hard power. Determination plays an important role in the success of deterrence. Read more