Use of Joint Operations Principles by Russia in the Ukrainian Crisis - Research Paper Example

Utilization of Joint operations principles by Russia in the Ukrainian crisis Introduction Joint operations is a general military term that refers to a kind of military action that is planned and conducted by joint forces or service forces that have been deployed under command relationships. However, over the past few years joint operations are also being utilized not just on the military operational side but in conjunction with other governmental and non-governmental agencies. These operations are usually performed in a multi- national arena and under circumstances in which a crisis has developed and is in need of achieving specific objectives. It is the goal “to design joint force capabilities – lethal and non-lethal – to fight and win the Nation’s wars and effectively carry out all other missions assigned across the range of military operations. There have been several major incidents and the application of joint operations within the history of military activities. The emergence of joint operations has a long history which has developed 12 primary principles of that Wade mentions in his book “The Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine” to be that of Objective, Offensive, Mass, Maneuver, Economy of Force, Unity of Command, Security, Surprise, Simplicity, Restraint, Perseverance, and Legitimacy . The emergence of these principles have been related to the inherent challenges that have affected the general coordination of military forces and their operations over time. It is these challenges that have led to the exploration of alternatives that included the consultation of like-minded partners to conduct operations that have results that benefit both parties in common. The initial attempts, however, consisted of joint operations involving different forces with many times varying objectives. Throughout the history of war, various nations have been conducting joint operations and activities against a common enemy. This collaboration has been related in many such battles. The first ever recorded joint operation in the United States was a dual-service operation in which the Union Army and naval forces worked together in the campaign against Vicksburg. This operation led much to the development of unity of effort, mass, leverage and seizing the initiative as the first principles of joint operations . Furthermore, the operation Urgent Fury in Grenada was also an overall success for the United States. This operation helped further introduce a new concept of combining air and land attacks in a coordinated manner and as such was a great success especially due to the use of furious or forceful entry . Over time, various countries have been using the concept of joint operations and its principles to organize and execute military operations and attacks. It is most recently and ongoing that the application of these principles are being seen in the Ukrainian crisis. The Ukrainian crisis, which is being stimulated by much of the Russian political leadership started with the volatile Euromaidan Protests that were witnessed in November 2013 with regards to Vidtor Yanukovych’ s decision not to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union . It then moved to include the involvement of military forces, which Russia has denied to have provided and culminated in Russia’s annexation of the Crimea. These activities have become a great concern and a major geopolitical shock in the entire European region in terms of security threats. By possibly continuing to annex even more regional territories, the Russians could possibly ensure that Russian speaking and regional ethnicity is maintained. This would also prevent not just NATO but also the European Union from extending its eastern borders closer to the Russian Territories . Purpose of the paper With the continuing advancement of hostilities in the Ukraine there could possibly be some direct correlations and constraints between Russia’s annexation plans and joint operations. The purpose of this paper is to provide answers to a plausible question concerning the operations being conducted by Russia in Ukraine with regards to the twelve tenant principles of joint operations. Furthermore, the paper will look too briefly to provide insight into whether or not these operations will have a negative or positive impact on NATO operations and in Eastern Europe in the future. By utilizing and examining many articles, books, electronic media as well as recent news articles through a qualitative approach, the paper will look to establish a firm understanding of these thoughts and provide a well-established answer to the question being raised. Research Questions and Hypotheses For the first time since the end of the Cold War, a crisis has resulted which mandates an effort by the western powers to seek a new equilibrium level that will balance Russian operations. The powers, under NATO, are exploring the possible use of countermeasures to stop the Russian operations1. This is happening during one of the many efforts to promote the political-economic inclusion of new nations into the Eastern-Europe alliance - EU. These efforts are, however, being threatened by Russia, through their involvement in the Ukraine2. These operations appear to be coordinated and directly aimed at preventing the integration of Eastern Europe into the region. With the region being such an important geopolitical area and with Russia having such a dominate presence and influence in the region, it will surely be difficult to allow that area go without some type of power struggle3. This struggle currently ongoing that Russia may not be willing to directly admit to influencing could possibly be something right out of the twelve principles of joint operations. It is with this in mind that this paper hopes to answer the question of if Russia has been utilizing the principles of joint operations with regards to the Ukrainian crisis, then just what specific principles have they used to influence NATO’s joint regional operational presence and how might it effect the areas geopolitical stability now and in the future? Literature Review In an in February 2010 Alexander Moytl, Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University, discusses the new government of Viktor Yanukovych and the critical issues that are continually developing in the Ukraine due to the Russian influence. He provides information that indicates that Russia has been a political super power in the region for many years and will most likely not change in the near future. This was even seen with the recent election of Viktor Yanukovych .Motyl further provides a general understanding of the influence and legitimacy that Russia has with being in the Ukraine from a geopolitical and ethnic aspect. The article also provided some information on Yanukovych’ s current governments primary foreign policy objectives where it mentions “his foreign policy priorities: restoring Ukraines close ties with Russia, European integration, and building relationships with strategic partners such as the United States. ” In closing, Moytl provides some insight into the possible complications if either Russia or Untied States take too much or too little action and just what Ukraine’s government should do to ensure stability in the region. Finally, he provides a very significant point with regards to Russia and U.S. influence when he brings up that a “stable Ukraine is in Russias interests, so, too, is a stable and democratic Ukraine in the United States interests. If Yanukovych precipitates a government collapse or state failure, Russia may be tempted to step in, disrupting the balance of power in Eastern Europe. ” Something that we might be seeing with the current crisis now as Russia maneuvers to step in and maintain its regional security. Paul D’Anieri’s article in 2012 “Ukrainian foreign policy from independence to inertia” began by providing an overall historical summary of Ukraine’s governmental changes and influences in its foreign in policy. D’Anieri further provided insight into why Russia is so interested in Ukraine by alluding to the fact that it wants Ukraine as an ally4. Thus “in practical terms, this means that Russia seeks above all to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and basing NATO troops on its soil. Second, Russia wants Ukraine and others to recognize Russia’s leading role in the region, symbolically as well as practically.” By ensuring that Ukraine does not join NATO, Russia has a much better chance of maintaining regional security as well as stability. Just as Moytl alluded to in his article that Russia may step in D’Anieri makes the observation that a larger threat to the Ukraine “is that the EU and US lose interest, leaving Ukraine with no viable counterforce to Russian coercion” . This could very well be a maneuver by Russia to only ensure that their objective is further pursued with success. One historical guide that offers many insights into the importance of maneuver and objective with respects to joint operations is the Joint Military Operations Historical Collection. This collection of various military operations provides the reader with several detailed analysis of operations and just how they were conducted and what lessons were learned from them. Throughout the collection and mentioned in most all of the operations were the importance of the aspects that made the mission successfully, namely that of objective and maneuver. If it were not for clear objectives, any operation would have difficult in achieving success. It is with a clear objective and maneuverability that an operation can achieve success. Norman Wade’s book ‘The Joint Forces Operations & Doctrine SMARTbook , is and all-encompassing book that provides joint forces planning doctrinal guidelines to follow that come directly from all joint publications, manuals and instructions. Wade enables the warfighter to have a quick reference to some of the most essential aspects to joint operations. Significant to the Ukraine crisis is Wades twelve principles of joint operations and where it mentions that legitimacy is often bestowed upon a local government through the perception of populace that it governs be that by humanitarian or civil military operations. This legitimacy could be what Russian is trying to accomplish with the humanitarian aid caravans amassed at the border. From Wade we also see the principles of objective, perseverance and maneuver as plausible coordinated principles that Russia and the Ukrainian rebels are utilizing in a joint Ukraine operation. Furthering the idea that there was a legitimacy for the Russian troops being there, in a recent article by BBC news the article states that the now ousted president “Viktor Yanukovych asked Russia to send troops across the border to protect civilians, Moscows UN envoy has claimed” The article goes on to state that the US ambassador Samantha Power seems to think that Russia is not responding to a humanitarian rights mission but it is truly a violation of international law. The reason for the conflicting thoughts Yanukovych still considered himself at the legitimate Ukrainian president where many of the Western nations did not because of his somewhat questionable governmental ouster some 3-4 weeks earlier. So, here again we see the use of the principle of legitimacy by Russian forces responding and maneuvering to the humanitarian needs of a neighboring country that most certainly remains important to Russia’s economic and national security. Russia’s maneuvering is described by Timothy Frye, Director of Harriman Institute at Columbia University, as simple “maneuvers to create a weak and divided government in Ukraine.” This however could still be considered as Russia using the principle of maneuver to ensure the objective that was mentioned in the article by Moytl is achieved5. The Aljazeera article goes on to further point out that Russia may have only wanted to make sure that a friendly government in Kiev was established. Of course that may have been the idea at least maybe one that was pro-Russian. Later in the article it discusses the resistance of Russia to allow the OSCE team into Crimea and the concerns that became prominent throughout the other EU delegation members. From the literature review we were able provide and establish the idea that Russia could be using the principles of objective, perseverance and maneuver to influence their strategic presence in the region6. From the article by Moytl we see that there is a well establish objective and from several others we find the common ground of legitimacy being rationalized as driving force for Russia continual presence. Finally we saw that the Russian government has strategically maneuvered itself in the government of Ukraine to only further influence its position in the region. With the importance of the area, from a geopolitical aspect this area of the globe will continue to influence our nation’s interests as well as many EU nations, making it a top priority for all global partners to become jointly involved in the operational principles. Specific principles used to influence NATOs joint operation Russia’s maneuvering principle is meant to destabilize the unity of the European nations under NATO. It is executed in a concerted effort to create political tension and disagreement between the nations for Russia to maintain its superior influence in the region. Its activities are meant to thwart the enlargement of the Euro member states and economic empowerment of the nations7. This is being pursued in an argument that NATO made a promise not to expand its mandate and membership. Russia’s maneuvering move is deeply threatening to erode the gains that have been made within the Euro-block and the entire continents socio-economically and politically variably, it affects the region’s geopolitical soundness and growth that is necessary for quality livelihood. Currently, the joint operations by Russia are impeding socio-economic and political stability in the region as it anticipates. The move has created immense tension among the member states of NATO as evident since some states are working in support of Russia while others for NATO. The fear of disintegration led to the convening of Wales meeting where NATO member states converged to consolidate their unity and chart the way forward. The nations were concerned about the immediate impact and effects and the aggression Russia is causing to the region. The meeting that led to the declaration of Wales’s treaty resolved that member states are to remain solid and work towards the achievement of a common goal. They held that they do not force any nation to join them and that their mission is to encourage those with common ideologies to find a place through which they can mobilize their success8. According to the leaders, Russia’s aggression has resulted in decreasing economic performance in the region as trade is affected. It has also affected transport and social integration that is a key for development. They fear that without the situation getting proper mitigation, the regions objectives and performance may as well drain down. The operation would have collateral damages to the region in future that include weak economic performance, sharp political disagreements and internal conflicts that are never healthy for any growing democracy. Variably, Russia has been using persevering principle in its invasion into the Ukraine. However, the principle adopted has been used to influence NATOs joint regional operation. Russia has used the principle of perseverance exemplarily to destabilize the European region. The perseverance spirit is evident in the way and strategies it has used in executing the Ukraine crisis. It is manifested with the systematic nature with which the invasion has been undertaken. According to NATO Russia calculated its move into the Ukraine very well. It executed its offensive investigations well, gathered appropriate intelligence, and laid down effective operation strategies. The dedication and determination with which the nation did its groundwork preparation explains its perseverance in this invasion mission. Another aspect that explains its perseverance and impact is the level of involvement in attacking the region, the amount of military personnel, war tanks and other weapons deployed in the mission include the monetary resources. Without the requisite perseverance, the war could have not been sustained for long as it has stayed9. In particular, Russia deployed over 40000 troops and several war tanks to enable it achieve its objective of destabilizing the nation. The nation through its president declared that the cause for Ukraine’s invasion is inevitable and is bound to continue until the ultimate aim of joining NATO is eroded. The president noted that Ukraine must recognize its leading role in the region and respect its position. In other words, Ukraine joining NATO has been seen as a threat to the growing Russian economy, hence the move for its weakening and destabilization. The perseverance of Russia in attacking Ukraine has been described as ill mannered and irresponsible10. The nation has continued with its invasion despite the calls for an end of the conflict by various global nations such as US. The calls that have been made purposely to foster geopolitical activities have been landing on deaf ears. Russian leaders have not thought it necessary to yield to the calls and terminate the aggression. They hold that they are pursuing their legitimate interest. In fact, the leaders keep on leveling accusations against NATO as the main cause of the aggression. The accusations that are based on inferior representation of facts have been made to ensure that NATOs efforts in arbitrating the matter are not sustained. Ideally, the perseverance of Russia in its invasion of the Ukraine has in turn catalyzed NATOs joint regional operational efforts. The regional body has as well embarked on a perseverance mission in ensuring that the aggression against Ukraine is terminated. The body has deemed it necessary to formulate sustainable strategies that will help in curbing the conflict and enumerate how the principle would help in advancing current and future geopolitical stability. They too sought to adopt the perseverance principle where they seek to impose real sanctions on Russia to enable it rethink its objective. The body declared that it would not have business as usual with Russia until the nation succeeds its aggressive acts against Ukraine. The body is doing this to cushion the region from bearing short and long-term (current and future) effects of the conflict in diverse aspects. Firstly, the body has decided to treat Russia as an enemy of peace, unity, socio-economic, and political growth of the region. They hold that the nation is only self-seeking and that it has bad intentions for other nations. The member states of the body have also called for the suspension of the practical cooperation with the nation. According to Wales Summit Declaration,, most European nations including US have announced serious sanctions against Ukraine that include termination of trade cooperation, foreign aid among others as a measure to compel it in stopping the aggression11. The sanctions form the joint operations that are being fronted by NATO and other nations. Apart from the sanctions, NATO member states resolved to help Ukraine in defending its sovereignty against the aggression imposed by Russia to avert short and long-term loss of life including property. The body resolved to deploy additional aircrafts to help in reinforcing air surveillance, more troops, patrolling ships to the surrounding water bodies such as the Baltic Sea, and military tanks. The implementation of the resolution is being done in a coordinated manner as it is designed to facilitate absolute reinforcement of Ukraine’s defense (Trifonov, 2014). According to political analysts, the joint operation by the NATO group that includes the imposition of sanction is due to help in reducing the crisis. They hold that the actions are resorted to as away of weakening the influence of Russia and curbing its aggression. The actions they warn are bound to help in restoring some sanity however, they may not deliver lasting solution to the problem at hand. Their take is that the problem greatly requires political good will and respect to sovereignty of other nations. Indeed, the actions highlighted have been undertaken to help in curbing the short and long-term effects of the Russia’s perseverance in executing the invasion against Ukraine. The major short-term complications that the aggression may result to include weakening of Ukraine government, dividing the government, destabilizing peace both in the nation and regionally, creating discontent among nations within the European block. Others include creation of economic crunch and political hostility12. On the other hand, future effects the aggression may yield include disintegration of the NATO block, poor economic performance of the region, socio-political degradation, and wastage of resources. Recording of high rate of deaths and lose of property also remain long-term complications that perseverance of the invasion may cause. According to analysts, these set of complications will continue to be eminent as long as the instability and unpredictability of Russia is not managed effectively. Therefore, the joint operation launched by NATO of employing collective defense, corporate security and crisis management is highly noble under the circumstances. The nations should implement the resolutions in a sustainable way to compel Russia to withdraw its military aggression. Russia also applies the objectivity principle in its quest to destabilize Ukrainian government. The nation applies objective principle that is defined by Trifonov as the state of being steadfast in achieving set goals of a course, as a means towards the reallocation of the underlying mission. Russia has set clear objectives that inform its aggressive attack against Ukraine. The objectives according to political scientists include but not limited to destabilization of unity within the European zone, ensuring that NATO does not expand, elimination of the influence of NATO, make Ukraine its subject by creating a weak government. Moreover, the nation has the objective of compelling NATO to obey its undertaking of not expanding its membership or mandate. According to the Russian military department and the government, the aggression against Ukraine was prompted to enable the nation assert its authority including influence in the region. The nation aspires to be respected and recognized as a key stakeholder within the European block. It seeks to assume economic and political control of the region and foster its dominance in decision-making. Indeed, the principle of objectivity adopted by Russia also informs NATOs objective principle. The body formulated diverse objectives with the aim of curbing the conflict in Ukraine. The objectives include termination of the war, re-building of the nation’s economy, restoration of the region’s social integration, and enhancement of security. Other objectives of the body are to promote peace, safeguard their vision, and sovereignty. The body has developed over ten point strategies on how it seeks to achieve its objectives that include ensuring that current and future challenges are mitigated13. The strategies are civil in nature and may only escalate if need be based on the prevailing conditions. The strategies for achieving the objectives include, but not limited to the implementation of the preferred sanctions by the Euro block, G7 nations, and others parties. The sanctions such as trade and financial support sanctions are to destabilize Russia’s economy purposely to make the nation bear the burden of war. The body also approved a readiness action plan to curb any conflict within the region. The action plan has been approved in readiness to counter Russia’s aggression if the nation fails to hide to the calls for succession of war. Similarly, NATO seeks to achieve its objectives by fulfilling all the three major tasks that are contained in the strategic concept. The tasks include fulfillment of a joint defense operation, execution of joint crisis management, and corporate security14. The body also stated in the statement that its member states are reaffirming their pledge of instituting a vibrant collective defense by deploying troops in aid of Ukraine. The troops are to be the foundation of the region’s prosperity and social coexistence. Likewise, the body reaffirms NATOs commitment in curbing any emerging challenges by ensuring that its command structure remains robust and agile. These include the execution of simultaneous situational awareness, conflict preparedness and hiring of adequate number of military personnel. These set of strategies are bound to affect the region’s geopolitical stability currently and in future. For instance, NATOs strategies are bound foster the realization of calm in the region and boost peace. Secondly, they seek to enhance coherence in solution finding especially on the emerging issues between Russia and Ukraine15. They have also contributed into the succession of fierce battle witnessed before in creating room for dialogue. As noted in the US daily report (2014), the initiatives put in place have the capacity to restore sanity in the short run as being evident to pave way for humanitarian assistance including other activities. However, they may not offer amicable lasting solutions to the challenges emerging. The review affirms that achieving political stability requires selflessness and goodwill from leaders16. It asserts that political instability can only solved through political means and negotiations. Therefore, the measures proposed may present a damaging impact on the geopolitical stability of the region in the future. They may further increase tension among the nations within the region and in turn degenerate into a full-blown war17. These according to the guardian newspaper are a possibility since the nations have stated to split based on ideology affiliation. They are also split based on the perception that NATO and other nations are being too hard on Russia. Russia’s spirited invasion of Ukraine is attributed to the economy force and unity of command as indicated by US FBIs report. The principles that revolve around economic destabilization and centralized control system respectively has assisted Russia in the execution of its mission. They have enabled Russia to attack and weaken the leadership system including operations in Ukraine. This has resulted to low productivity, social disharmony, and myriad of inherent challenges that relate to poor coordination of military forces. Russia decided to adopt the unity of command principle to foster effective organization of its military with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness. The authorities supported the principle to overpower Ukrainian military force that lacks superior prowess in the management of conflict. These resulted into various effects that in turn instigated the need for the formulation of pertinent strategies by NATO to help in cushioning Ukrainians18. The adoption of the principles will enable NATO to contribute appropriately in the stabilization of affairs in Ukraine presently and in the future. For instance, the principles are enabling NATO to mobilize its members to provide collective defense and crisis management knowhow to catalyze immediate solutions to emerging issues. NATO members also mobilize resources to boost the economic performance of the Ukraine and help in rebuilding. Conclusion Indeed, a number of principles have adopted in a concerted effort to have the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The principles that have been used by Russia in its attack strategy that have in turn influenced NATOs initiatives include perseverance, objective, unity of command, maneuvering, economic force among others. The principles have provided NATO with requisite incentives that has facilitated the formulation of sustainable strategies that will help in curbing the conflict and enumerate how the principles would help in advancing current and future geopolitical stability. The strategies were formulated with the objective of terminating the war, re-building the nation’s economy, restoring the region’s social integration, and enhancement of security. 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