Principles of war

Principles of struggleCHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION1.1 Background to the field of force.Principles of fight are key considerations that commanders subroutine as an academic start point when contemplating combat operations. They range from strategic, and operational, to tactical factors which serve as guiding rules which must not be violate in sanctify to ensure success in any operation. The Principles of war range from selection and maintenance of the aim, offensive action, flexibility, sustainability, concentration of force, cooperation, economy of effort, surprise and security. A new fundamental ism of war which though as yet to be acknowledged as such in tactical manual books, has been born. This birth resulted from the rapid advancement in technology coupled with the proliferation and ontogeny of television and radio new in the 1960s.1 For the first-class honours degree time in history, the gruesome reality of warfare was brought into American living rooms on nightly parolecasts. This caterful visual medium altered the entire interplay mingled with the news media and political science form _or_ system of government making. In dampicular, it would no longer be possible to wield the legions instrument of national power without first considering how it would play in the news media.2 The media in todays society serve the division of an informant, especially in the cases of distant violence in times of war. They extend the eyes and context through which the public view events and the formulation of policy. The agendas of the media oft reflect that of the government and the corporate interests that control them. While freedom of the constrict gives journalist free reign to criticize or provide substitute views to government activities, there is evidence that reliance on official sources and rivalry censors the resultant news product (Kracke,2004). The independence of the media from the government exists in principle but does not manifest it self in practice. Given this perspective and the dread that the media serve as the primary conduit of information from the skirmishfield to the public, and often the policy makers, facilitating a relationship with the media has been a challenge for the military. An examination of the relationship between the military and the media may provide a valuable perspective on how to capitalize on this relationship and provide greater input into shape the news that reaches the public and policy makers.3 Military commanders could never again endure to ignore the way combat operations would be portrayed in the news media. This essential consideration for any would-be combat commander constitutes the new principle of war.1.2 Statement of the Problem.Ghana has after half a century of independence experienced intermittent military intervention which brought in its wake limiting roles of the media in accessing military related information. The cumulative exploit of this has been an extended g ap between the military and the media as both parties calculate to deprivation the basic arrangement of a reasonable coexistence through realistic collaboration. The study result attempt to answer the following questions such as What are the principal roles of the military in accounting to the wider population?, how salubrious positioned is the military in tradeing their obligations to the wider population? and what measures dictate the media environment that has made the media so powerful as to be regarded as the Forth arm of political science? The search will also seek to determine what are the coeval challenges in military- media relationship? and lastly, how can the Ghana Armed Forces render to the education of a viable military media relationship?1.3 Objectives of the StudyThe objectives of this study are to provide information that may lead to a better understanding of the nature of military media relations that should exist in a pop Ghana as well as to determine how military-media relations in Ghana can be enhanced. 1.4 Research MethodologyA compounding of primary and secondary sources of data collection is used in the study. old data was sourced from personal interview of both serving and retired military officers as well as civil servants and journalists. Data was also sourced from books, journals, official government documents, conference papers, news-magazines and newspapers. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively using transparent arguments and sequential presentation of points.1.5 Significance of the StudyThe study will contribute to existing knowledge and current discussions on military-media relations. It will also see the Ghana Armed Forces in adopting reading strategies for the reorientation of the Public transaction Department to deal with the media.1.6 Limitations of the StudyThe limitation faced in this study is the paucity of written material on the Ghanaian situation. The lack of comme il faut time for proper research will also put on the quality. However, the research will try and authenticate all documents assessed to remove all inconsistencies.1.7 belles-lettres ReviewIn searching for material to support this study it was pass judgment that limited amounts of printed literature would be available on this topic peculiarly with reference to the Principles of war. This was assumed because Principles of War is a relatively tactical doctrine that can be found mostly in military training manuals. Upon filtering the questions for each area of research this study will address, the literature is assort into two to deal with the media perspective and the tactical perspective. Distorting demurrer by Stephen P. Aubin4 and world(a) Ferdinand Fochs book The Principles of War 5will be reviewed.In the book Distorting Defense, Stephen P. Aubin arouses ones interest in the medias coverage of confession issues. Even though Aubins book does not address the military media relationship specifical ly, however, it delves into how the media has covered defense-related issues. Aubin presents a content analysis of change surface broadcasts of major media networks as NBC and CBS on defence related issues during the Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations. He posits that the American People and their media have since colonial times been very jealous and even to some extent hostile to defence related issues. Aubin highlights that the Americans would instead opt for cheaper routes in achieving the nations security.6 Aubins content analysis revealed that about 32 pct of the evening news coverage on defence issues were problematic.7 Aubin defined problematic coverage as overemphasis on drama or bad news at the expense of substance and context, lack of knowledge on the part of the correspondent, lack of context as a result of brevity, general lack of balance or context, loaded labelling or advocacy and bad news judgment. Aubin presents a historic review of an American nation who h e finds baffling to convince about the need for new weapon systems, an increase in defense spending or the deployment of US troops into a conflict.8 Juxtaposing his historical review with the content analysis on problematic coverage of defense issues, one observes that the US military public affairs need to do a lot to tell the military story the right way. This is not limited to the US alone as such hurdles come home wider societies especially young democracies such as in Ghana. The media will delay to be very critical of military operations because they are the agents of collecting, rendition and transmitting information to worldwide audiences and therefore have tremendous power to affect the outcome of military operations. Aubin however was unable to capture this merry relationship between the media and the military. This is the aspect that this study seeks to reveal by lottery on some of the characteristics of the media environment as put forward by Aubin.Fochs book The Pr inciples of War is an excellent starting point when reviewing what factors and guidelines that men in arms must take into consideration when planning for and executing wars. Foch, who was a Commander of the Allied Armies on the Western Front during the final campaigns of being War I presents the picture that War is so important that it must be studied in detail and it is for this reason that nations have War Colleges. Foch emphasises on theories that one needs to understand and execute in order to be victorious in war. These include having large numbers, better armament, bases of supplies and the avail of terrain. Foch enumerated a number of principles such as economy of power, freedom of action, protection, smart discipline, strategic surprise and strategic discipline. These he stated, must not be violated in order to be successful. Foch related his principles mostly to the Napoleonic wars in the organisation and disposition of forces. In mod battles, Foch opined that the decis ive polish up in the battle of today is not to be sought indifferently on any point yet it can be impose on us, or as an opportunity suddenly arise, in elicit of all that theory may teach.9 Fochs principles amongst others have over time been reframed into modern day principles of war as is contained in present day military manuals and aide memoires. Foch however fails to highlight the fluidity of the operational environment as directed by political interference and the demands of accountability by the people through the media. These are very relevant and actually do affect the modern day battle environment. This study takes advantage of the Fochs principles of war as it relates to contemporary times and the relevance of other factors of the modern day battle environment.1.8 Organisation of the StudyThe scope of the study will cover quartette chapters. Chapter one will present a background to the study and a statement of the research problem as well as a literature review and the methodology of the research. Chapter two will highlight on the mission and role of the military as well as strategies employ in achieving its goal. It will also cover the media environment and activities of the media. Chapter three will dwell on the challenges of the military-media relationship and the role of the Ghana Armed Forces in building a healthy relationship between the media and the Armed Forces. Chapter four-spot expounds on the conclusion and recommendations.ReferencesMac D Felman The Military/Media smash and the bleak Principle of War Media Spin, (Air University USAF, 1992) Tina S. Kracke Mass Media The Ether Pervading the Clausewitzian Trinity, (USACGSC,2004)Stephen P. Aubin, Distorting Defense (Westport, Connecticut Praeger, 1998).JB Synder sightedness Through The Conflict Military-Media Relations, (USAWC, 2003).Ferdinad Foch, The Principles of War, (AMS PRESS,1970).RESTRICTED1 Mac D Felman The Military/Media Clash and the New Principle of War Media Spin, (Air Un iversity USAF, 1992). 2 Ibid.3 Tina S. Kracke Mass Media The Ether Pervading the Clausewitzian Trinity, (USACGSC,2004)4 Stephen P. Aubin, Distorting Defense (Westport, Connecticut Praeger, 1998) 6.5 Ferdinad Foch, The Principles of War, (AMS PRESS,1970).6 Ibid.7 Ibid.8 JB Synder Seeing Through The Conflict Military-Media Relations, (USAWC, 2003).9 Ibid,372.