Why Armies Need Anthropologists: Rethinking Strategy Through Culture

In the evolving landscape of modern conflicts, understanding the human terrain is as critical as mastering the physical one. In Military Anthropology — Specialisation Frame, Dr. Robert Boroch makes a strong case for why anthropology should no longer be seen as an optional curiosity, but as a strategic necessity.

His article outlines how anthropological insights—knowledge of local customs, cultural taboos, social hierarchies—can enhance military operations. From Iraq to Ukraine, knowing how people think, believe, and organize their lives can mean the difference between escalation and stability.

Boroch doesn't romanticize the field. He acknowledges the ethical concerns and tensions that arise when academic disciplines enter the realm of armed conflict. But he also argues that without cultural awareness, military interventions risk doing more harm than good.

Military anthropology, in this vision, becomes more than observation—it becomes a form of navigation. A way to move carefully through the social minefields that conventional intelligence often overlooks.

Full article in Wiedza Obronna, 2021, Vol. 274 No. 1