ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the two key issues in the study of the dynamics of war the nature of war and how to win wars have been the center of attention. Dividing war into strategic, operative, and tactical levels is commonly understood to be an analytical tool used to better understand the conduct of war. Traditionally, strategy and the dynamics of war have centered on cycles of escalation and de-escalation. Whereas pre-modern military thought in Western Europe was mostly concerned with tactics, the strategic level was gradually introduced during the eighteenth century. New methods of warfare and the acceleration of technological development will continue to challenge how we manage organized violence. Military theories have been consistently criticized for lack of logical consistency and empirical testability. The literature on military adaptation has often dealt with how military organizations try to plan and adapt in peace time. Military theory should focus on the internal dimension, where staff procedures and command processes are central.
