America and the Future of War by
Throughout the world today there are obvious trouble spots that have the potential to explode into serious conflicts at any time in the immediate or distant future. This study examines what history suggests about the future possibilities and characteristics of war and the place that thinking about conflict deserves in the formation of American strategy in coming decades. The author offers a historical perspective to show that armed conflict between organized political groups has been mankind's constant companion and that America must remain prepared to use its military power to deal with an unstable, uncertain, and fractious world. Williamson Murray shows that while there are aspects of human conflict that will not change no matter what advances in technology or computing power may occur, the character of war appears to be changing at an increasingly rapid pace with scientific advances providing new and more complex weapons, means of production, communications, and sensors, and myriad other inventions, all capable of altering the character of the battle space in unexpected fashions. He explains why the past is crucial to understanding many of the possibilities that lie in wait, as well as for any examination of the course of American strategy and military performance in the future-and warns that the moral and human results of the failure of American politicians and military leaders to recognize the implications of the past are already apparent.
Conceptualising Modern War by
Scholars have struggled to establish a definition of contemporary warfare that recognizes the unique character of conflict since the end of the Cold War. Whether such battles have been fought in the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, or Afghanistan, "asymmetrical warfare," "Fourth Generation War," and "New War" are the best terms we have to describe them. Conceptualizing war accurately and effectively is essential, for along with trying to define the these conflicts successfully, and in order nature of modern warfare, western military establishments, led by the Pentagon, must fight to do so they need to fully comprehend events on the ground. Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) and Effects-Based Operations (EBO) are two prominent examples of working, useful theories, yet both fail to capture the complete dynamics of modern military realities. The contributors to this volume highlight the inability of current models to create winning strategies. Hew Strachan (Oxford University), David Kilcullen (Caerus Associates), Steven Metz (United States Army War College), Helen Dexter (The University of Manchester), and Ian Beckett (University of Northampton), among other scholars, examine existing concepts and forge new paths in thinking and research. Their work forces readers to reengage with recent battles they think they know well and reconsider the development and waging of war itself.
Blood, Metal and Dust by
Written by the author of the official British military analysis of the Iraq campaigns, Blood, Metal and Dust is the first authoritative military history of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to tell the detailed story of what happened on the ground. From the high-ranking officer who wrote the still-classified British military analysis of the war in Iraq comes the authoritative history of two conflicts which have overshadowed the beginning of the 21st century. Inextricably linked to the ongoing "War on Terror," the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dominated more than a decade of international politics, and their influence is felt to this day. Blood, Metal and Dust is the first military history to offer a comprehensive overview of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing in-depth accounts of the operations undertaken by both US and UK forces. Brigadier Ben Barry explores the wars which shaped the modern Middle East, providing a detailed narrative of operations as they unfolded. With unparalleled access to official military accounts and extensive contacts in both the UK and the US militaries, Brigadier Barry is uniquely placed to tell the story of these controversial conflicts, and offers a rounded account of the international campaigns which irrevocably changed the global geopolitical landscape.
The Direction of War by
The wars since 9/11, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, have generated frustration and an increasing sense of failure in the West. Much of the blame has been attributed to poor strategy. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, public enquiries and defence think tanks have detected a lack of consistent direction, of effective communication, and of governmental coordination. In this important book, Sir Hew Strachan, one of the world's leading military historians, reveals how these failures resulted from a fundamental misreading and misapplication of strategy itself. He argues that the wars since 2001 have not in reality been as 'new' as has been widely assumed and that we need to adopt a more historical approach to contemporary strategy in order to identify what is really changing in how we wage war. If war is to fulfil the aims of policy, then we need first to understand war.
Improving Strategic Competence by
Drawing lessons from the past 13 years of war, this study analyzes the future operating environment and identifies critical requirements for land forces and special operations forces to operate successfully in conjunction with joint, interagency, and multinational partners in irregular and hybrid conflicts.
The Utility of Force by
From a highly decorated general, a brilliant new way of understanding war and its role in the twenty-first century. Drawing on his vast experience as a commander during the first Gulf War, and in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland, General Rupert Smith gives us a probing analysis of modern war. He demonstrates why today's conflicts must be understood as intertwined political and military events, and makes clear why the current model of total war has failed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other recent campaigns. Smith offers a compelling contemporary vision for how to secure our world and the consequences of ignoring the new, shifting face of war.
Should the Changing Character of War Affect Our Theories of War? by Jovana Davidovic
The Changing Nature of Warfare? by Colin S. Gray
Will war's nature change in the seventh military revolution? by F.G. Hoffman
Continuity and change in war by J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr. (Chapter 6 from U.S. Army War College guide to national security policy and strategy)
The character of war and strategic landscape have changed by Gen Joseph F. Dunford
War - Continuity in change, and change in continuity by Colin S. Gray
How has war changed since the end of the Cold War by Colin S. Gray
Capturing the character of future war by Paul R. Norwood, Benjamin M. Jensen, and Justin Barnes
If you're asked to find my organization, please search for "Combined Arms Research Library"
Unmanned systems acquisition and technology development: Is a more integrated approach required? by Eric Gilge
Mind over machine: Why doctrine should lead technological change by Alex Dornstauder
Complexity and innovation: Army transformation and the reality of war by Mark Calhoun
Combined arms maneuver: The unchanging characteristic of war by Michael Keasler
John Boyd and the AirLand Battle doctrine by Todd Larsen
Military Review Vol: LXVI - March No 2 1986 (AirLand Battle doctrine)
Counterinsurgency Operations in the 21st Century: Insights from the U.S. Army Experiences in Iraq by Marina Miron
The Character of War is Constantly Changing by Gerard Roncolato
Understanding war's enduring nature alongside its changing character by Christopher Mewett
Capturing the character of future war by Paul Norwood, Benjamin Jensen, and Justin Barnes
War - Continuity in change, and change in continuity by Colin Gray
Improving strategic competence: Lessons from 13 years of war by Linda Robinson and Paul Miller
TRADOC Pamphlet 525-92: Military Operations: The Operational Environment and the Changing Character of Warfare by Department of the Army
TRADOC Pamphlet 525-92-1: Military Operations: The Changing Character of Warfare: The Urban Operational Environment by Department of the Army
