War is a type of problem demanding a war solution. That is the only value really for any classification of this type. To expand that classification to a broad range of problematic forms of competition that di not demand, nor are likely to be resolved by, a war solution is unhelpful at best, and counterproductive to our national identity and interests.
This is a primary reason Western COIN is so ineffective - we think of revolution as war, but then apply a confused mix of peace and war approaches. Pure war approaches are best for fast suppression of symptoms of revolution, non -war civil emergency responses best for durable resolution. Plus we refuse to recognize that COIN is a purely domestic operation.
I totally agree that our span of influence as we have defined it is under attack by rising powers. Part of that is that we seek to control too much. Part is actually important. We need to close the left door of the gray zone chart I posted, and refresh our deterrence and add clarity and certainty to red lines and responses to close the "right door" of my diagram.. That is just smart business, not war.
Call this war and we will just dive into the middle and flail away at the symptoms.
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