ABSTRACT
The United States (US) finds itself in conflict with a wide variety of adversaries, many of whom challenge the core tenets of the American Way of War. War consists of actions designed to compel an opponent to do one's will. The information environment is a vital, indeed integral, component of the operating environment as a place in which rivals clash. The nature of the world has not changed, but technology has impacted decision cycles and planning. The future of US warfare requires communicators to win two narrative battles, one abroad and one at home. Symbolism, technology, speed of information, compressed information cycles, and continued blurring of the narrative and kinetic realms will be the trends of the next decade. While politically expedient in terms of protecting promotion cycles, the increasing centralization of decision making and communicating must be overcome or the US will lose not just the narrative struggle but also the overall struggle against its ever-increasing coterie of foes.
