THE MISSING PIECES - A REFLECTION ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

“This work by Le Flem and Oliva shows a potential reawakening of true intellectual analysis and thinking in Europe (…).There are few military officers across Europe who would be brave enough to write a publication such as this, because political commanders will not appreciate being upstaged by officers who think more deeply and clearly than their superiors.  It is enormous credit to the Ecole de Guerre that minds such as Le Flem and Oliva have been awakened by an enlightened leadership.What we have before us might well be the return of thinking in modern European militaries.  One can only hope that others have the courage to follow.” Professor Peter Roberts – Director of Military Sciencesat the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)“This brilliant essay is one of the most enticing works I’ve been given to read in the last ten years. (…)Jean Gaël Le Flem and Bertrand Oliva brilliantly demonstrate here, if we still need the reminder, that today, just like in the past, military actors cannot disregard strategic reflection.” Général Henri Bentegeat – Former Chief of the FrenchDefence Staff (2002–2006) and former Chairmanof the European Union Military Committee (2006-2009)