Title
Unravelling Warfighting Directions in the Land Domain: A Conceptual Framework
Authors
[ 1 ] Centre for Research Projects and Analysis, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Lithuania
Year of publication
2025
Published in
Journal year: 2025 | Journal number: Online first
Article type
scientific article
Publication language
english
Keywords
EN
- Armed conflict
- Military operations
- Warfare
PL
- Doktryna wojenna
- Konflikty zbrojne
- Operacje wojskowe
- Walka
Abstract
EN The traditional view on military operations in the land domain tends to focus on organised confrontations between opposing forces, with one side on the offensive and the other on the defensive. While other approaches exist, the dominant preference hinders the development of clear explanations on how warfighting is formed and how actors can use that knowledge to influence the outcomes of violent clashes. This paper promotes multiple conceptions of “warfighting directions” and explains why resistance should be used in the same respect as other warfighting directions in land operations, including offence, defence, stability, and enablement. In doing so, the paper aims to unite two lines of thought—traditional and newer—to comprehend the core modes of land action that may be taken on the battlefield. The paper employs literature analysis, synthesis of different theoretical perspectives, document analysis, and comparison as well as the knowledge-mapping technique. The study provides a conceptual framework by explaining how basic warfighting directions are produced and how resistance, a fundamental military strategy, fits into this framework. The taxonomy of warfighting directions improves the organisation of land military operations by effectively linking sources of violence to military strategy through the use of warfighting directions. This structured understanding enables commanders to plan and execute military actions efficiently within the complex landscape of military engagements.
Date of online publication
07.11.2025
Comments
Corresponding author Gintautas Razma Centre for Research Projects and Analysis, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Šilų g. 5A, LT-10322, Vilnius, Lithuania
License type
CC BY (attribution alone)
Open Access Mode
open journal
Open Access Text Version
final published version
Release date
07.11.2025
Full text of article
Access level to full text
public
Ministry points / journal
70
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