One of the main premises of strategy is that it is hierarchical. We see this during an analysis of World War II because the United States evolved a strategy that was in keeping with another premise of strategy, that the nation-state politics and/or policies underlying strategy always dominate. When other means failed to achieve US policy, warfare became the necessary means for achieving the political/policy goals of the US during World War II. Going back to the hierarchical nature of strategy, the strategy utilized by the US was insured and maintained by breaking state strategy into three divisions: National Security Strategy; National Military Strategy; Theater Strategy. National Security Strategy is the “art and science of developing, applying and coordinating the instruments of national power to achieve objectives that contribute to national security” (Yarger 4). This level of strategy is often referred to as the grand or national strategy. National Military Strategy is how national objectives are achieved through the distribution and application of military strength in war and peace. Theater Strategy is developed under National Military Strategy and involves development of strategic concepts and action plans that are integrated so as to best achieve the goals of national or allied interests.
During World War II we see many of the premises of Lykke’s war strategy employed by the United States government and US military. By analyzing the strategy utilized during World War II we can see how the three levels of hierarchical strategy are interrelated and the ends, ways and means of each strategy level. On any level strategy, according to Lykke, is comprised of three concepts that are interconnected in a triangular relationship. The ends are the objectives or goals that leaders hope to attain. The ways represent the second leg of strategy or exactly how and through which action plans the leaders hope to attain their...