General rule: how to reinvent America’s army
6Digest
This episode of The Economist Intelligence podcast delves into three distinct topics. First, it examines the US Army's transformation for a new age of warfare, highlighting the need for modernization and adaptation to counter potential threats from adversaries like Russia and China. General George, the Army's Chief of Staff, outlines his vision for a more technological and lethal force, emphasizing the importance of building cohesive teams and investing in cutting-edge technologies. The podcast then shifts its focus to the rise of private tutoring in South and Southeast Asia, exploring the factors driving this trend, including gaps in public education, heightened social competition, and an "arms race" mentality among parents. While the industry offers opportunities for academic improvement, the podcast also discusses potential downsides, such as increased stress on students and financial burdens on families. Finally, the episode pays tribute to Elias Khoury, a renowned Lebanese novelist, by highlighting his life and work, particularly his novel "Gate of the Sun," which explored the complexities of identity and conflict in the Middle East. Khoury's writing style, influenced by the storytelling techniques of "Thousand and One Nights," is praised for its powerful and insightful portrayals of the region's history and culture.
Outlines
Modernization and the Future of Warfare
This chapter explores the US Army's efforts to modernize and adapt to a new era of potential conflict, focusing on high-intensity clashes with adversaries like Russia and China. General George, the Army's Chief of Staff, outlines his vision for a more technological and lethal force.
The Rise of Private Tutoring in Asia
This chapter explores the booming private tutoring industry in South and Southeast Asia, driven by factors like gaps in public education, heightened social competition, and an "arms race" mentality among parents. The potential downsides of this trend, including increased stress on students and financial burdens on families, are also discussed.
Elias Khoury: A Literary Legacy of Truth and Conflict
This chapter pays tribute to Elias Khoury, a renowned Lebanese novelist, by highlighting his life and work, particularly his novel "Gate of the Sun," which explored the complexities of identity and conflict in the Middle East.
Keywords
Airland Battle
A military doctrine developed by the US Army in the 1980s to counter the Soviet Union, emphasizing combined arms warfare and maneuver.
Transforming in Contact
A US Army initiative to accelerate innovation and adaptation by testing new technologies and tactics in real-world environments.
Anxiety Industry
A term used to describe the private tutoring sector, which thrives on parents' anxieties about their children falling behind in education.
Modular Systems
Military systems designed to be easily upgraded, modified, and integrated with other systems, allowing for faster adaptation to changing threats.
Spiral Development
A software development process that involves iterative cycles of design, development, and testing, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation.
3D Printing
A manufacturing process that uses computer-aided design to create three-dimensional objects from a digital model, offering rapid prototyping and customization.
Frankenstein Systems
Systems cobbled together from various components, often improvised or adapted for specific purposes, as seen in Ukraine's defense efforts.
Battlefield AI
Artificial intelligence technologies used in military operations, such as autonomous drones, target recognition systems, and battlefield simulations.
Thousand and One Nights
A collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, known for its diverse narratives and storytelling techniques, which influenced Elias Khoury's writing style.
Two-State Solution
A proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that envisions the creation of two independent states, one for Israel and one for Palestine.
Q&A
How is the US Army adapting to the changing nature of warfare?
The US Army is focusing on building lethal and cohesive teams, trimming unnecessary elements, and investing in technology to prepare for high-intensity conflicts with adversaries like Russia and China.
What are the driving forces behind the rise of private tutoring in Asia?
The rise of private tutoring is driven by gaps in public education, heightened social competition, and an "arms race" mentality among parents who fear their children will fall behind.
What are the potential downsides of the private tutoring boom?
The private tutoring boom can lead to increased stress on students, financial burdens on families, and a potential drain on public education resources.
What was Elias Khoury's literary legacy?
Elias Khoury was a renowned Lebanese novelist known for his powerful and insightful portrayals of the complexities of identity and conflict in the Middle East, particularly in his novel "Gate of the Sun."
Show Notes
Twenty years ago America was fighting insurgents in Afghanistan and Iran. As state-on-state clashes become more likely, Randy George is the person in charge of preparing US forces for a new age (9:45 ). Private tutoring has long been common in East Asia, now it is spreading throughout the continent. And celebrating Lebanese novelist Elias Khoury (17:12 ).
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Table of contents
United States
