Input-output modeling for assessing cascading effects

Leontief developed the input-output model to make macro-economic assessments based on the interdependencies of various production sectors within a region. We discuss the concept of Effects-Based Operations (EBO) and its inherent requirement for analytical modeling to assess the broad ramifications of potential actions. We propose that the input-output model may be used to assess the direct and indirect (cascading) impact of military operations. The strength of this approach is assessing the impacts across disparate systems. This aggregate approach complements detailed modeling techniques of individual systems. We present the input-output model and demonstrate how it can be used to assess the impacts of a variety of military strategies against a region or nation.