U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, Vol. 1: Theory of War and Strategy, 5th Ed.

Edited by Dr. J. Boone Bartholomees Jr.

June 2012

359 Pages

Brief Synopsis

This edition of the U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues continues to reflect the structure and approach of the core national security strategy and policy curriculum at the U.S. Army War College. The 5th Edition is published in two volumes that correspond roughly to the Department of National Security and Strategy’s core courses: “Theory of War and Strategy” and “National Security Policy and Strategy.” Like previous editions, this one is based on its predecessor, but contains both updates and new scholarship. Over a third of the chapters are new or have undergone significant rewrites. Many chapters, some of which appeared for years in this work, have been removed. Nevertheless, the book remains unchanged in intent and purpose. Although this is not primarily a textbook, it does reflect both the method and manner that the U.S. Army War College uses to teach strategy formulation to America’s future senior leaders. The book is not a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of either strategic theory or the policymaking process. Both volumes are organized to proceed from the general to the specific. Thus, the first volume opens with general thoughts on the nature and theory of war and strategy, proceeds to look at the complex aspect of power, and concludes with specific theoretical issues. Similarly, the second volume begins by examining the policy/strategy process, moves to a look at the strategic environment, and concludes with some specific issues. This edition continues the effort begun in the 4th Edition to include several short case studies to illustrate the primary material in the volume.

Contents

Introduction
J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

Part I: Strategic Theory

1. Why is Strategy Difficult?
David Jablonsky

2. A Survey of the Theory of Strategy
J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

3. Toward a Theory of Strategy: Art Lykke and the U.S. Army War College Strategy Model
H. Richard Yarger

4. The Strategic Appraisal: The Key to Effective Strategy
H. Richard Yarger

5. Managing Strategic Risk
James F. Holcomb

6. Continuity and Change in War
J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

7. A Theory of Victory
J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

8. Toward a Strategic Theory of Terrorism: Defining Boundaries in the Ongoing Search for Security
Frank L. Jones

9. Thucydides and Contemporary Strategy
R. Craig Nation

10. Eastern Strategic Traditions: Un-American Ways of War
Glenn K. Cunningham

Part II: Instruments and Elements of Power

11. National Power
R. Craig Nation

12. Strategic Communications: Wielding the Information Element of Power
Dennis M. Murphy

13. Diplomacy as an Instrument of National Power
Reed J. Fendrick

14. Theory and Practice of Modern Diplomacy: Origins and Development to 1914
Louis J. Nigro, Jr.

15. Economic Diplomacy: Views of a Practitioner
Constance Phlipot

16. Economics: A Key Element of National Power
Clayton K. S. Chun

17. Military Power and the Use of Force
John F. Troxell

Part III: Strategic Interests and Considerations

18. Applying Clausewitz and Systems Thinking to Design
Glenn K. Cunningham and Charles D. Allen

19. Intelligence as a Tool of Strategy
John Aclin

20. The Airplane and Warfare: Theory and History
Tami Davis Biddle

21. John Warden’s Five Ring Model and the Indirect Approach to War
Clayton K. S. Chun

22. Naval Theory for Soldiers
J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

23. On the Theory of Cyberspace
Jeffrey L. Caton

About the Contributors

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