In the 1990s, the military world buzzed with the promise of a “Revolution in Military Affairs” (RMA), heralding a new era defined by cutting-edge technology and transformative strategies. Yet, as history has shown, the anticipated seismic shifts in warfare were often overstated, overshadowed by the enduring truths of human nature and the timeless nature of war. Today, as we stand on the brink of another supposed RMA driven by drones and artificial intelligence, we must confront a harsh and enduring reality: the nature of war remains unchanged. The human element—our motivations, fears, and decisions—continues to shape the battlefield far more than any technological advancement ever could. This article argues that, much like the RMA of the past, the current fixation on technological innovation risks neglecting the enduring centrality of the human element that has defined the very nature of war down though the ages and across the globe.
Viewpoints
Opinion
The Human Element in Warfare
Why Today’s Military Innovations Won’t Change the Nature of War
U.S. Marines walk after a counter-landing live fire exercise during the annual U.S.-Philippines joint military "Balikatan" exercise in Rizal, Palawan, on April 28, 2025. Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images
Commentary
Andrew Latham
Author
Andrew Latham, Ph.D., is a tenured professor at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is also a Senior Washington Fellow with the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy in Ottawa and a non-resident fellow with Defense Priorities, a think tank in Washington, D.C.
