Army War College - SSI News

Book Review: GSG 9: From Munich to Mogadishu: The Birth of Germany's Counterterrorism Force

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:05:00 GMT

In the wake of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, Germany forged GSG 9—an elite counterterrorism unit that would stun the world with its daring 1977 rescue mission in Mogadishu. Martin Herzog’s gripping account traces the unit’s evolution from humble beginnings to global renown, drawing on exclusive interviews and archival research. This book tells the untold story of how one covert force reshaped modern counterterrorism—and inspired the creation of America’s Delta Force.

Book Review: Training for Victory: U.S. Special Forces Advisory Operations from El Salvador to Afghanistan

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:04:00 GMT

What makes some US Special Forces advisory missions succeed while others fail? In Training for Victory, Frank K. Sobchak examines five decades of elite Green Beret operations—from El Salvador to Afghanistan—to uncover the critical factors behind building effective partner forces. Challenging conventional wisdom, this book reveals surprising truths about language, culture, and combat advising in America’s most complex wars.

Book Review: The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:03:00 GMT

In this gripping narrative, Stephen R. Platt uncovers the forgotten legacy of a rebellious Marine whose daring vision helped shape the future of US Special Forces. Blending biography with battlefield drama, the book reveals how unconventional tactics and bold leadership redefined America’s approach to warfare. A must-read for anyone interested in the origins of elite military units and the individuals who defied tradition to forge them.

Book Review: Victory ’45: The End of the War in Eight Surrenders

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:02:00 GMT

In Victory ’45: The End of the War in Eight Surrenders, James Holland and Al Murray trace the dramatic final days of World War II through eight pivotal surrender moments that reshaped the postwar world. With gripping detail and fresh perspectives, they reveal how victory was secured not just through battles, but through diplomacy, resilience, and human decisions. This compelling narrative offers a powerful lens on the war’s conclusion and the fragile peace that followed.

Book Review: Ransom War: How Cyber Crime Became a Threat to National Security

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:01:00 GMT

In Ransom War, Max Smeets breaks down how criminal organizations use cyber technologies for ransoms. He explains the way ransomware organizations operate and how they have evolved with the rise of technology. The reviewer sees this book as well written, with relevant examples and concrete arguments.

Book Review: Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:09:00 GMT

A veteran intelligence practitioner exposes the vulnerabilities, contradictions, and hidden conflicts shaping modern Russian espionage—and what they mean for Western security.

Book Review: Reflections on the Russia-Ukraine War

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:08:00 GMT

Reflections on the Russia-Ukraine War offers a timely and multifaceted exploration of Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II. Drawing on diverse theoretical frameworks, this volume brings together 28 concise, stand-alone chapters that illuminate the war’s political, military, legal, and ethical dimensions. Ideal for scholars, students, and policymakers alike, it provides both analytical depth and practical insight into the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Book Review: How Drones Fight: How Small Drones Are Revolutionizing Warfare

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:07:00 GMT

Celander’s book discusses the new technologies at the forefront of military transformation and offers recommendations for countering them. He also argues that the introduction of drones into warfare has shifted the approach to air superiority. The reviewer critiques How Drones Fight’s lack of depth and narrow focus yet still sees it as an accessible introduction to drones and the future of warfare.

Book Review: Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:06:00 GMT

This book examines the economic war between Russia and the United States from 2012 to 2023 and assesses each country’s strengths and weaknesses. The conversation on economic warfare also expands to discuss other countries’ involvement, the effects of geoeconomics on the Russia-Ukraine War, and how an economic war would look between the United States and China. The reviewer sees this book as thoroughly researched and well written, despite the drawback of not including charts and maps.

Book Review: Winning Without Fighting: Irregular Warfare and Strategic Competition in the 21st Century

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:05:00 GMT

Winning Without Fighting offers recommendations for the United States’ response to attacks on the rules-based international order. The four authors propose “nothing less than a new grand strategy for America.” The reviewer agrees with some of the authors’ recommendations, while he strongly disagrees with their suggestions on investments.

Book Review: The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:04:00 GMT

From the Revolutionary War to the digital age, The Spy and the State by Jeffrey P. Rogg traces the evolution of American intelligence as a central force in shaping national security and foreign policy. With rich historical detail and sharp analysis, Rogg reveals how espionage has empowered and challenged democratic governance. This compelling narrative offers a fresh lens on the hidden machinery behind America’s global influence.

Book Review: Securing Space: A Plan for U.S. Action

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:03:00 GMT

Securing Space presents an argument for the importance of US advances in the space domain and offers recommendations for achieving them. The reviewer sees this report “as a critical waypoint in identifying the threats in space and reiterating the importance of this domain to our collective way of life.”

Book Review: The Impossible Mission: The Office of Security Cooperation and the U.S. Forces Drawdown in Iraq

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:02:00 GMT

A gripping look at the chaotic final chapter of the Iraq War, revealing how bureaucracy, urgency, and geopolitical pressure collided at the moment the US mission needed clarity most.

Book Review: The Army: A Primer to Our Profession of Arms – Field Manual 1

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:01:00 GMT

Field Manual 1 lays the foundation for understanding the Army’s core values, mission, and enduring role in defending the nation. It offers a clear and compelling guide to what it means to be a professional soldier, emphasizing duty, discipline, and the moral commitment to service. This essential primer inspires new recruits and seasoned leaders to uphold the legacy and the future of the Army profession.

Book Review: War Ethics: Theory, Practice, and Memoir

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:31:00 GMT

Blending philosophical insight, real-world application, and personal reflection, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the ethics of war. From just war theory to the lived experiences of soldiers and civilians, it bridges the gap between abstract principles and battlefield realities. It is a compelling resource for scholars, practitioners, and anyone grappling with the moral dimensions of armed conflict.

Book Review: Who Will Defend Europe?: An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:30:00 GMT

As Russia re-arms and the US retreats from its traditional role, Europe faces a chilling question: Can it defend itself against a rising threat? Keir Giles delivers a forceful wake-up call, exposing decades of complacency and the urgent need for renewed leadership and military investment. This gripping analysis warns that without decisive action, the continent risks sleepwalking into disaster.

Book Review: The Ageless Call to Serve: Rethinking Military Service for A Changing World

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:29:00 GMT

At age 63, psychiatrist Lanny Snodgrass defied convention by joining the Army, challenging long-held beliefs about age and military readiness. Drawing on decades of clinical experience with veterans and young soldiers, he exposes the psychological toll of sending teenagers to war while advocating for the wisdom and resilience older recruits can bring. This provocative and inspiring book reimagines military service for a modern world, urging a shift from age-based limits to capability-based inclusion.

Book Review: The Airborne Mafia: The Paratroopers Who Shaped America’s Cold War Army

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:28:00 GMT

In this gripping organizational history, Robert F. Williams reveals how a tight-knit group of World War II paratroopers rose to dominate the US Army’s leadership and reshape its doctrine during the Cold War. Through bold innovation and a fiercely held airborne culture, figures like Ridgway, Taylor, and Gavin transformed civil-military relations, atomic warfare planning, and airmobile strategy. The Airborne Mafia uncovers how subcultures can wield extraordinary influence, leaving a legacy that still echoes through today’s military institutions.

Book Review: Hard Broke: Asymmetric Warfare, Great Power Competition, and Institutional Paralysis

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:27:00 GMT

Institutional inertia can be as dangerous as enemy fire—discover why rapid adaptation remains critical for future conflicts. From IEDs to unmanned systems, this analysis asks: Can the Army evolve fast enough to meet tomorrow’s threats?

Book Review: Cornerstone of the Nation: The Defense Industry and the Building of Modern Korea under Park Chung Hee

Pentagon News — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:26:00 GMT

In this groundbreaking study, Peter Banseok Kwon uncovers how South Korea’s defense industry became the engine of its rapid modernization under President Park Chung Hee. Drawing on declassified archives and firsthand interviews, Kwon reveals a hidden alliance of military, scientific, and industrial forces that transformed Korea into a global economic power. Cornerstone of the Nation reframes the “Miracle on the Han River” as a story of militarized industrialization, offering fresh insights into authoritarian development and Cold War geopolitics.