John Warden

John Warden is a retired United States Air Force officer renowned for developing the "Systems Disruption Theory" of air warfare. He believed that successful military strategy should target the opponent’s critical systems—such as leadership, infrastructure, and transportation—rather than just their military forces. By focusing on these key elements, a smaller or less powerful force could effectively incapacitate an adversary's overall ability to function. His approach emphasizes precision, strategic planning, and weakening an enemy’s core capabilities, and has influenced modern military doctrine and air campaign planning.