Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, U.S. military strategy had to go through some rather dramatic changes. Shifting from a decades-long training strategy of developing and refining a joint, combined-arms approach to war-fighting designed to defeat Cold War opponents, the nation's armed forces must now also train their personnel for "operations other than war," including peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and humanitarian-relief operations. This paper examines the relevance of the U.S. Army's training strategy for these new types of operations through an analysis of the institutional changes resulting from lessons it learned in successive peace operations, starting in 1989 with Operation Just Cause in Panama. It also surveys recent policy debates over the use of force, the role of contemporary peace operations in U.S. foreign and national security policy, and the doctrinal underpinnings of the army's training for operations other than war. Undoubtedly, there will be more cases of massive humanitarian tragedy and civil breakdown in states and regions that involve the national interest of the United States. The challenge for the U.S. Army will be to build on its new base of knowledge and tactics to serve the national interest in offering assistance and stability to these endangered populations.

"February 1997"--P. [38].

Key points / Introduction. Definitions -- The evaluation of post-Cold War strategic policy and supporting military doctrine / Defining the challenge. Operational principles -- Lack of strategic direction -- Expanded scope -- Limited intelligence -- Political and cultural diversity -- Multiple players -- Media intensity -- Lacking the (or limited) rule of law -- Constrained by rules of engagement -- Operating in austere environments -- Dominated by small and independent unit operations -- Demanding a visible presence -- Operating primarily in built-up areas -- Requiring psychological operations and civil affairs integration -- Requiring extensive negotiations / The response. Professional military education -- Unit training / Conclusion.