Fundamentals of Strategy

1. Explain of the complexity of developing, implementation and consequences of the grand strategy
2. Develop capability of analysing the impact of international and national politics in shaping of the strategy
3. Explain the historical development of the strategy from Antiquity to the present time
4. Distinguish the relationship among grand strategy, military strategy and defence planning.
5. Differentiate and connect of the strategic, operational and tactical level of strategy implementation
6. Analyze strategic challenges in the early 21st century

Each thematic block will be supported by an appropriate case study (selection of a particular strategy, analysis of its possible alternatives; factors that affected strategy shaping; political and military consequences of its use), supported by students’ analysis, and presentation of seminar papers.

Each thematic block will be supported by an appropriate case study (selection of a particular strategy, analysis of its possible alternatives; factors that affected strategy shaping; political and military consequences of its use), supported by students’ analysis, and presentation of seminar papers.

Forum discussions.

Independent assignment comprises writing and presentation of the seminar paper.

1. Defining strategy (Introduction to grand strategy, components of strategy, and the use of various instruments of power for realization of strategic goals).
2. Strategic culture.
3. Immaterial factors and strategy (Western and Eastern mode of warfare).
4. Grand strategy and military strategy (Relation of strategy and warfare, impact on development of military doctrine and defence planning).
5. War and strategy (Total war, restricted war, strategy as a threat to use force).
6. Historical development of strategy – ancient times and the Middle Ages (Sun Tzu, Tukidid).
7. Historical development of strategy – early modern period (Machiavelli)
8. Foundations of the modern strategic theory (Clausewitz, Jomini, Hart)
9. Strategy development in the 20th century – land warfare
10. Strategy development in the 20th century – maritime warfare.
11. Strategy development in the 20th century – air warfare, space.
12. Strategy development in the 20th century – nuclear warfare.
13. Strategy development in the 20th century – irregular warfare (Strategy of the revolutionary war, hybrid warfare).
14. Grand strategies in the early 21st century.
15. The future of strategy.