Pensacola, 16 February 2012

Ecoles de Saint-Cyr Ecoles de Saint-Cyr CoëtquidanCoëtquidan

Sharing common values, ethics and principles of war in a

coalition

Keynote speechMG Eric Bonnemaison

a coalition is…

…A gang of wolves who disagree on everything except on one point: all members will explore the best course of action to split the coalition as soon as possible!

An infamous general

Coalition = DIVERSITY

• Civilization: culture, religion, history• Life: price, pain and suffering, meaning of death

• Politics: national interests, agendas, short term• Military: doctrines, strategies, concepts

• Principles of war, values, ethos

To share, war requires consensus

• Ends– Purposes for the war/operation

• Ways – Meaning of the operations– Principles of war

• Means– Consensus on behavior, jus ad bellum, jus in bello– Rules of engagement

Three crucial conditions to share values, ethos, principles of war

1. Moral values exist which can unit human beings beyond diversity

• 4 fundamental needs: human security (security, identity, justive, wellbeing)

1. Moral values exist which can unit human beings beyond diversity

• 4 fundamental needs: human security (security, identity, justive, wellbeing)

2. Necessity to reach objective certitudes in a pluralist society

• Pursuit of happiness, • Cardinal virtues as principles of war

Three crucial conditions to share values, ethos, principles of war

Virtues and political principles of war• Prudence• Justice• Fortitude• Temperance

3 mental dispositions:• To adapt• Manage one’s

stress• Positive attitude

3 key abilities :• Discern amidst complexity• Decide amidst uncertainty• Act amidst adversity

• Discrimination, wisdom, insight• Compliance to rule of law, equity, adaptability• Courage, tenacity, fidelity, total commitment• Selfcontrol, proportionality, serenity, nuance,

5 reference values : • Force control• Respect of the mission• Behavior exemplarity

• Compliance to the rule

• Intelligence of situation

Three crucial conditions to share values, ethos, principles of war

1. Moral values exist which can unit human beings beyond diversity

• 4 fundamental needs: human security (security, identity, justive, wellbeing)

2. Necessity to reach objective certitudes in a pluralist society• Good faith, pursuit of happiness, • Cardinal virtues

3. Democracy depends on that turn of mind that rejects throwing anathema on other civilizations

• Moral philosophy to strengthen moral force• Principles for leadership

Virtues and political principles of war• Prudence• Justice• Fortitude• Temperance

• Authority• Examplery behavior• Solicitude• Responsibility

• Knowledge• Anticipation

3 mental dispositions:• To adapt• Manage one’s

stress• Positive attitude

• to discern, decide, provide vision, order, act, control• Role model• Love, consideration, command• Act first, ethics of power

• Curiosity, reflection, relativity, personal opinion • Shape the future

3 key abilities :• Discern amidst complexity• Decide amidst uncertainty• Act amidst adversity

• Discrimination, wisdom, insight• Compliance to rule of law, equity, adaptability• Courage, tenacity, fidelity, total commitment• Selfcontrol, proportionality, serenity, nuance,

5 reference values : • Force control• Respect of the mission• Behavior exemplarity

• Compliance to the rule

• Intelligence of situation

Prudence = wisdom, insightThe virtue that disposes practical reason to distinguish in all circumstances our true good and to choose the right ways to accomplish it

Case study N°2: Ambush in Afghanistan. 2008

R1 R3

R2

P1

JusticeThe moral virtue that consists in the firm and constant will to give others

what is due to them: to respect the rights of others, to be constantly and equally fair to all; to respect the rule of law

Case study n°1: The Somalian assassin

Djinsoor

Baïdoa

Fra

Fra

R3

R2

R1

P1

P2

P3

Case study N°1: attack against harmless populations

Fortitude= courage, tenacity• Tenacity: helps to hold on in adversity; a firm engagement at all costs; the

courage of the spirit and of the heart. • Courage : to act as free from fear

TemperanceSelf mastery, moderation, sobriety. To express an array of reasonable behaviors, by avoiding excesses.Indicates a certain degree of reliability and predictability

Case study : Lebanon. 1983

R1

AuthorityEntails the responsibilities of its charge. Responsibilities of authority: to discern, to decide, to order, provide a vision, to act and finally,

to control.

Case study N°1: Chad. 1970s. The agony of a wounded insurgent

Platoon’s operational

base

Section in patrol

ResponsibilityTo put oneself in harmony with the morals of action An ethics of power

Case study : Afghanistan. 2008 . Close air support request