Intervention

This chapter raises the following main points: Interventions involve actions by one or more states intended to halt or change a course of action another state or group of states has undertaken.The objectives of interventions vary from humanitarian concerns to the destruction of a dangerous capability of another state.There are two main forms of intervention: those that use military forces and those that use non-military options. Military interventions can be further distinguished between those that are peaceful and those that are non-peaceful.Seven basic criteria can be identified as necessary for a successful intervention: first, the cause needs to be just’; second, all other measures have been exhausted; third, there is a reasonable chance it will improve local circumstances; fourth, there is strong, unwavering political resolve; fifth, the intervention has a clear political aim; sixth, there is unity of command and core force competence; and finally, the force is of sufficient size and has an appropriate force balance.Five mechanisms are required for a successful intervention: first, the political objective must be militarily achievable; second, sufficient planning must be undertaken; third, an appropriate mix of forces used; fourth, appropriate strategies for the insertion of forces into the area of operations need to be made; and finally, neutralizing the hostile forces and taking effective control of the area of operations is required.