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Annals of C2 Vol2 (2025-1)
Since our inaugural edition, the pace of transformation in the domain of Command and Control has only accelerated. From shifting strategic priorities to disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence, our operational and conceptual landscapes are evolving faster than many institutions can adapt. This only reinforces what I’ve highlighted publicly in recent months: we urgently need a closer connection between those who serve and those who study C2. Bridging this gap is not a luxury - it’s a necessity.
That urgency is precisely why I’m proud to present the second edition of The Annals of C2. This issue offers a coherent set of contributions that collectively deepen our understanding of C2 - from assessment frameworks and conceptual shifts, to cognitive integration, historical foundations, and the rapidly advancing role of artificial intelligence.
This edition opens with “A ‘Brief’ History of Command and Control” by Dr. Alexander Kalloniatis. A revisit of the origins and evolution of C2 from antiquity to today’s Joint All-Domain initiatives. The grand overview is an introduction to the forward-looking analyses of subsequent articles. Kallionatis offers insight into the enduring tension between centralization and decentralization and advocates for agile command models that integrate technological change while preserving the irreplaceable human role in decision-making.
Expanding the conceptual lens, “Paradigm Shift: Reassessing the ‘Raison d’Être’ of Command and Control” by Dr. Luc Pigeon and LtCol Alastair Luft offers a compelling challenge to traditional C2 thinking. The authors argue for a reframing of C2 as a dynamic enabler of coherent, collective action - clarifying its purpose and resolving lingering ambiguities about its role in modern operations.
This evolving understanding is further advanced in “A New Systemic Approach for OPSA: The Cognitive Formulation in the Context of MDO” by Col (ret) Mehmet Akif Morkaya. The article introduces a novel framework for Operations Assessment within Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), emphasizing cognitive functions - Classify, Examine, Verify, and Compose - as essential to achieving decision superiority across complex operational environments.
“Methodological Insights for C2 Capability Analysis” by LtCol Alastair Luft and Maj Rory Ewing, applies the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre’s C2 Assessment Framework to the Canadian Armed Forces’ operations in Latvia. This article illustrates the value of structured analysis in identifying areas for C2 capability development and provides a model for application across allied contexts.
This edition concludes with “AI in Military C2 Systems – An Introduction and Recent Advances” by Mr. Max van Rijn, LtCol Rabia Saylam Ph.D., Maj Marcel Scherrenburg, and LtCol Mesut Dönmez. Produced by the NATO C2COE, this contribution examines the trajectory of Artificial Intelligence in C2, reviews current applications, and highlights its potential to enhance decision-making cycles. The authors call for a deliberate and informed debate to shape the responsible use of AI in future C2 structures.
I extend my sincere gratitude to all the authors, peer reviewers, and editorial team members who contributed their time, expertise, and energy to this publication. Your work keeps this vital conversation moving forward.
To our readers: I hope you find this edition intellectually stimulating and operationally relevant. And I urge you - whether you are an academic, practitioner, or both - to consider contributing to future issues. Submissions need not be purely academic. If you have a reaction to earlier articles, compelling view, perspective, or case study on C2, we welcome it and we will find the best way to add it to the conversation. The Annals of C2 is a platform for serious dialogue, and we are always looking for new voices.
