Spanish and Polish leopards, French Leclerc tanks, U.S Army Abrams before crossing the Vistula river near Gniew, Poland
Photo by Edouard Bocquet/NATO
Decisions on the distribution of forces among Army components should be driven first and foremost by the required readiness of forces to fulfill operational demands.
Projects from the RAND Army Research Division have explored the strategic maneuvers of major powers and their implications for U.S. military planning. One project examines China's efforts to expand its global security footprint through international access agreements, analyzing the peacetime and wartime utility of these bases. Another evaluates the effectiveness and costs of various U.S. campaigning instruments, identifying optimal conditions for their use. An Arroyo team investigated Russian activities in Syria and Libya, assessing potential flashpoints that could entangle the U.S. militarily.
Further projects focus on the U.S. Army's strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in scenarios involving China. A framework they developed aids policymakers in understanding China's likely reactions to U.S. military enhancements. Arroyo reserchers also considered the regional challenge posed by Iran, offering early warning indicators for military planners. Analyses of China's and Russia's historical military interventions provide insights into future patterns and strategic behaviors.
