Behavioural Conflict: Why Understanding People and Their Motives Will Prove Decisive in Future Conflict

Tatham, Steve; MacKay, Andrew

ISBN 10: 1780394683 / ISBN 13: 9781780394688

Published by Military Studies Press, 2011

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Behavioural Conflict: Why Understanding People and Their Motives Will Prove Decisive in Future Conflict
• Publisher: Military Studies Press
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1780394683
• ISBN 13: 9781780394688
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Whilst geopolitics, economics, religion and ethnicity all play crucial roles in starting and sustaining conflict this book advances the idea that it will be people’s behaviour, and the West’s ability to understand, interpret and influence that behaviour which will become the defining characteristic of resolving future armed disputes. This seminal study draws directly on the authors’operational experiences in Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan. Includes a chapter by behavioural scientist Dr. Lee Rowland and an introduction by the BBC Radio 4 “More or Less” presenter Tim Harford. The foreword is by former ISAF commander General (ret.) Stanley McChrystal. This book argues that future conflicts will be best resolved by focusing attention on altering the behaviours of others, either in advance – and therefore deterring conflict – or as a coupled component in the process of combat and post-combat operations. They also argue that Western Armies have learnt too many lessons the hard way and been found wanting too easily. "Behavioural Conflct" argues for a fundamental rethink of the way that the West’s militaries are organised, educated, trained and deployed.

Review

I commend this excellent book authored by two practitioners with a record of success. It makes a clear and well argued case for a profound change to our conduct of War Amongst the People. --General Sir Rupert Smith KCB DSO OBE QGM

The lessons of Afghanistan are finally being learned. This is a pioneering work of theory grounded in practice. It is a manual of warfighting in the information age, not only how to win wars but how to limit and even avoid them. The authors understand that firepower alone will not change people s minds --Martin Bell OBE

It is rare for military insiders to produce an analysis that is counter intuitive and turns conventional assumptions on their head. But Mackay and Tatham risk gripping the implications for the military and their political leaders of the profound change in the media space. The flat earthers need to take note. That space is nothing like what they have long assumed. --Nik Gowing