Within the context of Europe, the US Army must develop a force posture that best navigates the tensions between deterring or defeating armed conflict at acceptable cost, successfully competing below armed conflict, and maintaining global responsiveness and institutional flexibility through the global operating model and dynamic force employment. While Russia’s economy, and consequently military capability will likely shrink over the next 10 years, which can make them more dangerous as the Kremlin continues to try to punch above its weight. The ideal force posture needs to accomplish a range of on-going and contingency missions and also be adaptive enough to remain viable despite any number of potential swings in resources, military balance, or the domestic politics of allies. This study recommends five possible strategic approaches and specifies what conditions and priorities optimize each.
Striking the Balance: US Army Force Posture in Europe, 2028 iii
Foreword ix
Executive Summary xi
The Challenge xi
Political and Operational Context: Russia and Europe xi
Russia. xi
Europe xii
Building Blocks of Force Posture: Levers xiii
Organizing the Levers: Proposed Strategic Approaches xiv
Assessing the Strategic Approaches: Decision Criteria and Risk Factors xv
Recommendations xvi
Chapter 1. Introduction 1
Scope and Conceptual Approach 1
Strategic Foundation: National Defense Strategy 1
Operational Foundation: Multidomain Operations and Echelons above Brigade Concepts 3
Methodology and Organization 4
Chapter 2. A Strategic and Operational Analysis of Russia in 2028 7
Evolution of Russian Military Capabilities 10
Development of the Future Russian Force 11
Hybrid War: Overcoming Conventional Shortcomings with Nonmilitary Means 16
The Diplomatic Instrument of Russia’s National Power 16
The Economic Instrument of Russia’s National Power 17
US Army War College The Information Instrument of Russia’s National Power 18
Competition at the Level of Armed Conflict: The Gray Zone 20
Russia’s Nuclear Policy 22
Conclusion 23
Chapter 3. A Strategic and Operational Analysis of Europe in 2028:
Defining Allies and Partners 25
Divided Threat Perceptions 28
Current NATO Posture and Capabilities 29
NATO Trends 31
Interoperability 32
Integration 33
Hybrid and Cyber Capabilities 35
European Union (EU) Trends and Developments 36
Headwinds for the EU 37
Restraints on US Courses of Action 38
Conclusion 39
Chapter 4.
US Military Capabilities and Options 41
Current US Capabilities and Force Posture 42
Capabilities Required for Multidomain Operations in 2028 48
Calibrated Force Posture Lever s 50
Multidomain Command and Control (MDC2) 50
Long-Range Fires Capability 55
Brigade Combat Teams 57
Activity Footprin 63
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Product Details
- Clark, J.P.
- Army War College
- Army SSI
- National Strategy and Policy Community and Academia
