NATO’s Approach to Multi-Domain Operations: From the Perspective of the Economics of Alliances

ABSTRACT

This study presents a model that incorporates the characteristics of multi-domain operations (MDO) and analyzes the impact of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) approach to MDO on the behavior of its member countries from the perspective of the economics of alliances. NATO is wary of authoritarian states and prepared for the great power competition with them, as shown in its current strategic concept. To prepare for a possible future war against peer competitors, NATO is strengthening its capabilities to conduct MDO, in which cross-domain synergy is a key factor. The model presented in this study relates the cross-domain synergy in MDO and the complementarity between the defense activities in multiple domains using organizational and public economics methods. The implication of this model is that if the defense activities in different domains are complementary, one member country’s increasing defense activities in one domain can increase another’s defense activity in another domain that is complementary to that domain. It is particularly crucial for NATO’s future military buildup: NATO’s approach to MDO will make defense burden-sharing fairer because one member’s military buildup will motivate other members to build up theirs.

KEYWORDS:

• multi-domain operations
• cross-domain synergy
• NATO burden sharing
• complementarity
• weaker-link
• supermodular games

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Hirofumi Shimizu and two anonymous referees of this journal for their very helpful comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I am an officer of the Japan Ministry of Defense. However, this research received no specific grant or input from any organization, including the Japan Ministry of Defense. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from my position.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. The U.S. Army (2018) defines MDO as ‘operations conducted across multiple domains and contested spaces to overcome an adversary’s (or enemy’s) strengths by presenting them with several operational and/or tactical dilemmas through the combined application of calibrated force posture; employment of multi-domain formations; and convergence of capabilities across domains, environments, and functions in time and spaces to achieve operational and tactical objectives.’

2. The U.S. Army (2018) defines cross-domain synergy as ‘the employment of mutually supporting lethal and nonlethal capabilities of multiple domains to create conditions designed to generate overmatch, present multiple dilemmas to the enemy, and enable Joint Force freedom of movement and action.’

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.