Are the Characteristics and Requirements of a Limited War as Envisioned by Corbett Still Relevant During an Age of Great Power Competition?
As the United States and its allies seek to counter the significant naval threat posed by Iran and its proxies in the Red Sea during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and Chinas rattles its maritime sabers against the Philippines in territorial disputes over the South China Sea, the question is begged whether the characteristics and requirements of a limited war as envisioned by British naval strategist Sir Julian Corbett are still relevant during an age of Great Power competition. The fundamental concept of proportionality in a limited war advocated by Corbett was that military force in general and naval power in particular should only be used to achieve carefully defined and limited political and strategic objectives rather than attempt the total annihilation of an adversary.
In sum, Corbett believed that successfully...
In other words, Corbett advocated a proportional response that was commensurate with a nations military capabilities. Likewise, Corbett promoted limiting the use of military...
…their operations to prevent uncontrolled escalation such as being witnessed in the Red Sea and South China Sea today.
Not surprisingly, a growing body of scholarship suggests that Corbett's views about limited war have diminishing relevance today given that increase in asymmetrical warfare and the use of terrorist acts to achieve political goals. Nevertheless, the dangers represented by any uncontrolled escalation of a conflict in the nuclear age underscore the importance and applicability of Corbetts principles concerning the need for informed, thoughtful and proportional responses to even the most egregious provocations such as those recently witnessed in October 2023 when Hamas attacked…
