Publication

This paper analyzes the role of land power in the 170 smaller scale contingencies (SSCs) conducted during the last decade. The author separates such contingencies into four categories - engagement, enhanced deterrence, hostility and stabilization phases - and discusses the military’s role in each. Though cruise missiles and aircraft have been the primary policy tool for actual hostilities, the US army has been the predominant service in the other phases, especially for stabilization. The author also points out that no major foreign policy objectives have been achieved from major theater deployments during the last decade without some form of significant long-term army involvement in the region after the crisis has been resolved.