Table 4 TOWS part 2—creating a number of feasible actions by combining external with internal factors. Actions also show the internal and external factors they are sourced from
From: Using systems thinking to design actionable futures: a nuclear weapons example
| Â | External Threats T1 Islamic Faction controls some nuclear weapons T2 Militants gain strength from unstable nation T3 Militants are supported by Islamic Faction T4 Nation is becoming unstable T5 Pakistan unlikely to welcome external military forces T6 International will is lacking | External Opportunities O1 International fear of insecure nuclear weapons O2 Pakistan used to military rule O3 US military and resources O4 India Military and bases O5 Islamic and Militant forces vulnerable to attack O6 Loyalists are well organised and ingrained in environment |
Internal Weaknesses W1 Limited available military forces W2 Takes time to mobilise military forces W3 Low pool of resources | 1. Build a coalition for an intervention (W1,W3,T6) | 7. Focused military strikes on enemy leadership (W1,O5) 8. Increase readiness of military forces for deployment (W2,O5) |
Internal Strengths S1 Highly specialised forces S2 Relatively well respected internationally S3 Well organised humanitarian relief strategies | 2. Deploy humanitarian forces to stabilise Pakistan (S3,T4,T2) 3. Eliminate support links between Islamic Faction and Militants (S1,T3) 4. PR campaign that supports an international intervention (S2,T5) 5. Use SF to locate nuclear weapons (S1,T1) 6. Lobby UN in support of intervention (S2,T6) | 9. Focus international community on risk of unsecured nukes to garner support (S2,O1) 10. Form coalition with US and India so as to leverage their military assets (S2,O3, O4) 11. Provide military training to Loyalists (S1,S2,O6) |