War Games And National Security With A Grain Of Salt

Transcript

The article comments on the excessive reliance by U.S. policymakers on computer-based simulation in crafting decisions on war, military balance, and national defense. The reliance on simulations is misplaced because most military simulations and games lack quality control, are one-sided and not well documented. Furthermore, the scenarios drawn are overstructured and illogical. Computer models do not take into account human limitations and organizational weaknesses. This omission can prove fatal during actual war.