In the world of military strategy, the study of human nature and society is equally important as battlefield tactics. Two relatively recent works, although not dealing directly with military affairs, make clear their contribution to these areas through the genres of science fiction and Asian-American experiences in the arts.
Michel Faber’s “Under the Skin” is a haunting tale set amidst the Scottish Highlands, where a weird drifter called Isserley roams the highways and picks up hitchhikers who disappear under mysterious circumstances. The novel goes deep into the very fundamental questions of humanity and identity. In Isserley’s interactions, Faber subtly probes what makes us human and whether our differences are no more than skin-deep. This is particularly relevant to military strategists, who often need to factor in the psychological and cultural dimensions of both allies and adversaries. The tension of the ordinary and the strange in “Under the Skin” reminds one that strategic insight will not come from conventional sources; sometimes, the most profound lessons are found in the unexpected.
Meanwhile, “Best! Letters from Asian Americans in the Arts” by Christopher K. Ho and Daisy Nam gathers seventy-three letters written in 2020 by Asian-American artists, curators, educators, and writers. It does a perfect capture of this seminal moment in politics and society, giving in great personal detail the multi-tonalities of the Asian-American experience: letters documenting quotidian life, hopes, anger, family history, and cultural politics beyond the model-minority myth. These subtle nuances of perspective are important for the military professional to comprehend in today’s world of global interconnectivity and cultural diversity. The letters fire up new ways of thinking and creativity helpful when developing innovative strategies and fostering an inclusive environment within the military ranks.
Both serve to focus attention on the need to reach beyond the classics of military literature as a way to understand human nature and socio-economic dynamics more fully. To military strategists, the experience of reading varied narratives and perspectives articulates a response in light of many complex global landscapes and their respective challenges.