Determining Political Objectives

Authors

• Milan Vego, Joint Military Operations Department, U.S. Naval War College

Abstract

This article explains how political objectives shape grand strategy and national or coalition security strategy and argues that they must be realistic, achievable, and clearly articulated before military options are developed. Political leaders bear primary responsibility for determining these objectives but should incorporate the professional advice of senior military leaders. The author outlines a process that begins with a strategic estimate, identification and prioritization of national interests, and assessment of the enemy, available resources, and political assumptions. Political objectives may be offensive or defensive and limited or unlimited in scope, with their value and ambition affecting the level of effort, resources, risk, and duration of conflict. Drawing on historical cases including the Russo-Japanese War, World War II, the Gulf War, Iraq, Vietnam, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the article shows how faulty intelligence, cultural bias, unrealistic assumptions, and mismatches between strategic ends, means, and ways can contribute to failure. The author concludes that determining political objectives is more an art than a science, requiring sound judgment, clear civil-military dialogue, understanding of the adversary, and careful integration of military, diplomatic, economic, informational, and other instruments of national power.