Recent Publications

Short of General War: Perspectives on the Use of Military Power in the 21st Century
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Harry R Yarger At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the United States is involved in two ongoing wars, faces a significant international terrorist threat, and is witnessing an escalation of international resistance to its leadership of the global world order. Looking out to 2025, many see the potential for a prolonged... MORE

Crime, Violence, and the Crisis in Guatemala: A Case Study in the Erosion of the State
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Hal Brands Guatemala is currently experiencing a full-blown crisis of the democratic state. An unholy trinity of criminal elements—international drug traffickers, domestically based organized crime syndicates, and youth gangs—is effectively waging a form of irregular warfare against government institutions, with devastating consequences... MORE

Shades of CORDS in the Kush: The False Hope of “Unity of Effort” in American Counterinsurgency
April 1, 2010 — Author: Mr Henry Nuzum Counterinsurgency (COIN) requires an integrated military, political, and economic program best developed by teams that field both civilians and soldiers. These units should operate with some independence but under a coherent command. In Vietnam, after several false starts, the United States developed an effective unified... MORE

The Goose and the Gander
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Cori E Dauber Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the April 2010 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Put Warning Bells on World Finance
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Leif Rosenberger In this Op-Ed style document, Dr. Leif Rosenberger recommends the creation of an international financial Early Warning System (EWS), similar to the template employed by the economic advisors at the U.S. Pacific Command in 2007, that can alert policymakers to pending financial crises.Read Now MORE

The Construction of Liberal Democracy: The Role of Civil-Military Institutions in State and Nation-Building in West Germany and South Africa
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Jack J Porter Recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan remind U.S. policymakers of the tremendous obstacles and challenges that confront states as they attempt to install liberal, democratic political institutions. The multifaceted transition process involves a host of overlapping and interrelated political, economic, and social... MORE

Criminal Sovereignty: Understanding North Korea’s Illicit International Activities
March 1, 2010 — Authors: Dr Bruce E Bechtol Jr, Mr Robert M Collins, Dr Paul Rexton Kan This monograph examines Office Number 39’s origins, organizational structure, and activities in order to develop a more calibrated strategy and policy to meet the North Korean challenge. This monograph focuses on Office Number 39's key illicit activities— to include manufacture... MORE

Teaching Strategy: Challenge and Response
March 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Gabriel Marcella Teaching all strategy, from grand to military, is essential in the preparation of national security professionals and military leaders. The experience of the armed forces in recent wars recommends that those involved with the system of military education seriously study the way strategy is taught. The task is even more... MORE

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Developing Talent
March 1, 2010 — Authors: LTC Michael J Colarusso, COL David S Lyle, COL Casey Wardynski Developing leaders through experience, formal training, and education is a long-standing hallmark of the U.S. Army. Maintaining its excellence as a developmental organization requires vigilance, however. Authorized strength and inventory mismatches, an inverse relationship... MORE

Lashkar-I-Taiba: The Fallacy of Subservient Proxies and the Future of Islamist Terrorism in India
March 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Ryan Clarke A discussion of the foundation of Lashkar-i-Taiba (LeT), the development of its modus operandi, and engages in an investigation of LeT’s activities in India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir region are discussed. Further, LeT’s fundraising methods are touched upon, and LeT’s relationships with regional state and nonstate actors such... MORE

Cover for Lashkar-I-Taiba: The Fallacy of Subservient Proxies and the Future of Islamist Terrorism in India

Foreign Policy Continuity: War Finds Us
March 1, 2010 — Author: Mr Lawrence Kaplan Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the March 2010 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Cover for Foreign Policy Continuity: War Finds Us

Synchronizing U.S. Government Efforts toward Collaborative Health Care Policymaking in Iraq
March 1, 2010 — Author: LTC Thomas S Bundt A primary pillar to achieving strategic aims in Iraq is through the reestablishment of a functional healthcare system. Currently, no set corporate solution exists including all agencies pertaining to a universally acceptable strategic health policy in support of this objective. Healthcare is an elemental component of... MORE