MDO: It's a terrible concept

MDO: It's a terrible concept

From This Means War by Peter Roberts

February 18, 2026 · 40 min · Season 7 · Episode 2

About this episode

The episode critiques the concept of Multi Domain Operations, highlighting its flaws and questioning its viability in military strategy.

A new book edited by Amos Fox and Franz Stefan Gady picks apart the concept of Multi Domain Operations in forensic detail. A collection of world class scholars and practitioners demystify the idea of MDO and airs just some of the key problems that lie within the 'Big Hand, Small Map' approach to military operations. From a lack of a theory of success, a failure to address tactical concerns, an agnostic view of adversaries, and some deep philosophical flaws, one wonders why Western leaders continue to be so besotted with MDO as a way of fighting. According to Amos and Franz: it just wont work.

People in this episode

Host: Peter Roberts

Topics covered

  • Multi Domain Operations
  • military strategy
  • theory of success
  • tactical concerns
  • philosophical flaws

Keywords

  • Multi Domain Operations
  • military operations
  • theory of success
  • tactical concerns
  • philosophical flaws

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: MDO: It's a terrible concept

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