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Crisis management

9 important questions on Crisis management

Why did sec. of Defense McNamara say that there was no such thing as military strategy?

He meant to emphasize the critical importance in statecraft of keeping war-threatening situations under control. The history of relations among states is filled with innumerable international crises that resulted when negotiation, deterrence and coercive diplomacy failed- often ending in unwanted wars due to decision-making under stress. Crisis management teams are important.

How do crises normally arise in the first place?

When negotiation, deterrence and coercive diplomacy failed- often ending in unwanted wars due to decision-making under stress

Why is it advisable to limit objectives pursued in a confrontation, and to limit the means employed? Please give examples.

Because, the more ambitious and offensive the aims are at the expense of the adversary, the more strongly motivated the other will be to resist. Both parties should strive to find a mutually acceptable formula for terminating the crisis

1. What is the notion of inevitability?

It comes along with passive resignation; a stress induced decisional pathology that affects leaders in making decisions.

In managing a crisis, is it essential to co-ordinate diplomatic & military moves. Give examples of where this was followed, and where it was not.

Bismarck was working had to coordinate diplomatic and military moves during the 1878 crisis. The Russians and the British did not do this the same way, and almost went to war over troops in Bulgaria. In the “guns of August 1914” both King Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas weren’t smart enough to coordinate troops and diplomatic moves

Discuss the similarities of the role of Bismarck in 1878 and Kissinger in 1973.

Bismarck wanted to avoid war in 1878 and hosted an international conference in Berlin to do so; it was an efficient conference where he was an honest broker. Kissinger, in 1973, played the same role when tensions increased between the Soviet Union and America. He used the UN to cause cooperation between the two sides and create agreements.

What military ‘mistake’ did the Soviet Union make in 1973 that was actually a diplomatic ‘right move’?

Soviet intelligence gives a false report to Egypt that Israeli troops are mobilizing in the Sinai; this in turn makes Egypt mobilize and eventually both nations go to war.

Why are some crises beyond the ability of even the best diplomats to solve?

Because of either the structure and dynamics of the international system, balance of power considerations, domestic and alliance restraints on the parties to the dispute, the unpredictable behavior and decisions of others, the characteristics of modern technology, or because interests of the two sides are so fundamentally antagonistic that they cannot be easily reconciled.

What skills and capabilities of leadership are still essential to maintain peace?

Having the intelligence to understand the nature of crisis management and diplomacy or the ability to function under great stress
To exercise self-restraint
To adhere to the operational principles of crisis management and apply them
to see the situation from the perspectives of others
To have some ethical sense of responsibility for the larger international system as a whole

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Force and statecraft | 9780195162493 | Paul Gordon Lauren, et al

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Crisis management

9 important questions on Crisis management

Why did sec. of Defense McNamara say that there was no such thing as military strategy?

How do crises normally arise in the first place?

Why is it advisable to limit objectives pursued in a confrontation, and to limit the means employed? Please give examples.

1. What is the notion of inevitability?

In managing a crisis, is it essential to co-ordinate diplomatic & military moves. Give examples of where this was followed, and where it was not.

Discuss the similarities of the role of Bismarck in 1878 and Kissinger in 1973.

What military ‘mistake’ did the Soviet Union make in 1973 that was actually a diplomatic ‘right move’?

Why are some crises beyond the ability of even the best diplomats to solve?

What skills and capabilities of leadership are still essential to maintain peace?

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