Group Dynamics - The Coalition Warfare Commander's Nightmare.

Lessons learned from the recent Gulf War highlighted the fact that tommorrows conflicts will be increasingly characterized by coalition warfare. The coalition commander must be prepared to undertake operations within a potentially divisive atmosphere of coalition commands. His or her success may depend upon the level of preparation in the basics of multi-national group dynamics. Early consideration will decrease potential operational difficulties and coordination problems. It is the intent of this paper to propose a change to the current format of the commanders estimate of the situation as designed in JCS Pub 5-03.1. This revision would directly identify and include those very factors which concern multi-national group dynamics and take into account the diverse political, military, and cultural factors affecting hisher colation command.