Overcoming the Effects of a Surprise Attack

The strategic surprise is an elusive phenomenon of war; it cannot be ruled out as an option, no matter how good the warning systems are. Some states are even more vulnerable than others due to size, geopolitical location, and hostile neighbors. If surprise happens, states use all their instruments of national power to counter and overcome the effects. The study observes multiple case studies, including successes and failures, after 1945, where a nation was able to overcome the effects of surprise attack. The thesis answers the question what are the key factors that help a nation to overcome the effects of surprise attack initiated suddenly by another nation or a force? The study uses diplomatic, information, military, economic, and leadership (DIME-L) instruments of national power to analyze case studies. This research study will use a qualitative approach using several case studies to compare how the usage of elements of national power helped or did not help a nation to overcome the effects of surprise attack. The study applies how results could be used in the case of Estonia.