War Termination as a Problem in Civil-Military Relations

Abstract

Three military groups with different interests will influence decisions regarding war termination. Each will believe that it is advocating what is in the national interest but will view it from a different perspective. The field com mander will believe that his theater is of central importance and that military victory is possible. The military services will be concerned about their continuing autonomy and growth and will evaluate proposals for war termination from this per spective. The general staff in the nation's capital will be sensitive to domestic and foreign political considerations and will view their mission as compromising between civilian and field commander views.