Care and Feeding of Warlords

The purpose of this monograph is to recommend the inclusion of "warlords" into United States military doctrine by defining the nature of a warlord, and by applying historical insights into a conceptual framework through which military leaders may better manage warlord interactions. As an influential actor today and throughout history, warlords require a unique approach by military leaders in order to achieve success in their interactions. Currently, United States military doctrine does not address this topic, neither in identifying warlords nor in recommending procedures for handling warlords. However, contemporary literature assists in providing a useful definition of the term "warlord", and historical studies of warlord interactions present techniques and procedures which may assist contemporary leaders in their interactions with warlords. In addition to identifying general warlord characteristics, it is also important to realize that each warlord acts based on unique motivations, particularly in their relationship to United States'; objectives, and that each warlord will have a unique ability to influence the United States'; desired outcome in a particular situation. From this information, a warlord typology emerges - the "good", the "bad" and the "ugly" -that affords leaders a structure from which they may begin to consider future planning and operations. Leaders may then frame their interactions based on four general lines of effort -recognition, legitimacy, force application and incentives in order to compel, control, influence or support a warlord to best reach the leader's objective. Using this typology and these four lines of effort, the monograph introduces a Warlord Interaction Model. This model seeks to better prepare the United States military to succeed in future warlord interactions; undoubtedly, the nation will be involved in the "care and feeding" of these actors in support of national security interests in the near and distant future.