Daoism and Design: Mapping the Conflict in Syria

In contemporary military operations, some problems are so complex they do not give way to linear solutions but require problem management instead. Combining the fundamenta ls of Dao De Jing philosophy with the US military design process offers a new perspective to analyze complex security problems, dev ise management st rateg ies , and plan mi l ita r y operat ions. Applying this new approach to the complex security environment in Syria a l lows for a nonlinear mapping of long-term goals and a new perspective on relationships between key actors, environmental factors that restrict changes in the security environment, and where planners should focus their attention.