Operations Analysis instructions The operations analysis assignment is a 2,500 word (plus or minus 10%) essay examining the relevant facets of a particular military operation. It requires a scholarly consideration of the background to the operation, the planning and conduct of the operation, and the lessons that political and military leaders should learn from the operation. Options Either (a) choose one of the following three operations to analyse: (1) Operation Rolling Thunder; (2) Operation Desert Storm; or (3) Operation Anaconda. Or (b) identify an operation of your own choice to analyse. N.B. If you choose option (b), you must get the unit convenor's approval for your chosen operation before you begin your essay. Approach This assignment is an opportunity for you to address the question that we have been considering in Weeks 3 through 9 of our unit: what makes for the effective use of military force? In order to answer that question with regard to your operation of choice, you will need to make a determination about whether or not the operation was successful, and you will need to explain why you think the operation succeeded or failed. Given Edward Luttwak's definition of operations as "schemes of warfare that seek to attain the goals set by theatre strategy through suitable combinations of tactics" (Week 4 lecture slides), an assessment of your chosen operation will need to consider both strategic factors (i.e., the level above the operational level of war) and tactical factors (i.e., the level below the operational level of war). Objectives (both political and military), leadership, weapons systems/military technologies, force employment, combat readiness, doctrine, law, rules of engagement, and the interpretive structures (or narratives) used to give meaning to the operation are among the types of topics you should consider. The exact factors you decide to focus on will vary according to the operation you choose and how you decide to approach it. Remember, too, that operational success or failure depends not just on the side initiating the operation but also on the position and actions of the enemy. In addition to giving a factual overview of the operation and assessing its effectiveness, you should also suggest lessons for future military operations that can be derived from your analysis. This assignment will require more research than the policy memo assignment, and it will require a different type of research. That is, rather than (only) tracking down news articles, press releases, etc., you should (also) identify and consider more academic sources such as scholarly books, journal articles, and good-quality military, government, or think-tank reports on your chosen operation. The unit readings should also be used, where appropriate, to support your analysis and help you to develop an argument about the operation's effectiveness. Formatting The choice is yours whether you write a piece that reads as a single narrative, or whether you break your essay into sections with sub-headings. Sub-headings, if you choose to include them, and references (whether in-text or footnotes) are included within the word count. Bibliographies or lists of references are not included in the word count. In terms of font and spacing, please use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 spacing. Referencing It is important that you correctly cite the sources you use and provide a reference list/bibliography of those sources at the end of your memo. The library has information on the various referencing systems you can use here. It is recommended that you use one of the Harvard, Oxford, APA, or Chicago referencing systems.