Recent Publications

Book Review: Obama and the Bomb: New START, Russia and the Politics of Post-Cold War Arms Control
June 1, 2026 — A close examination of how nuclear arms control shaped military planning, diplomacy, and domestic politics during a pivotal moment in post–Cold War relations. This review explores how treaty negotiations became a test of trust, strategy, and civil-military engagement at the highest levels of US national security decision making... MORE

Cover of Obama and the Bomb: New START, Russia and the Politics of Post–Cold War Arms Control by Frank Leith Jones

Book Review: The New Calculus of Escalation: Avoiding Armageddon in Great Power Conflict
June 1, 2026 — In The New Calculus of Escalation, Martin C. Libicki redefines how we understand the thresholds between peace, conventional war, and nuclear conflict in an era shaped by cyber warfare and emerging technologies. Drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and Cold War doctrines, he offers a fresh framework for managing escalation to prevent catastrophic outcomes. This timely and thought-provoking book is essential reading for strategists, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of great power conflict... MORE

cover of The New Calculus of Escalation: Avoiding Armageddon in Great Power Conflict by Martin C. Libicki

Review Essay: World War II Generals
June 1, 2026 — Two revealing studies shed light on overlooked World War II commanders whose leadership shaped key moments from Normandy to the early Cold War. These dual studies uncover the complexities of senior Army leadership—showing how personal relationships, hard‑won experience, and strategic insight shaped victory in Europe. ... MORE

Covers of Tubby: Raymond O. Barton and the United States Army, 1889–1963 by Stephen A. Bourque;
Patton’s Tactician: The War Diary of Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes Edited by James W. Holsinger Jr.

On “Restoring the Primacy of Army Mobilization Planning: Lessons from the Interwar Period (1919–41)”
May 27, 2026 — In this episode, Tim Devine and Jon Gerson argue that the US Army must restore the primacy of mobilization planning to prepare for the growing likelihood of a protracted large-scale war involving the United States. While the Army’s transformation initiatives have emphasized important tactical matters, Devine and Gerson call attention to critical strategic vulnerabilities associated with mobilization—one of the Army’s enduring core functions. They offer insights, identify challenges, and offer recommendations for contemporary leaders and practitioners by analyzing the body of thought on mobilization planning during the interwar period (1919–41) and drawing connections to the present day... MORE

Decisive Point podcast: On “Restoring the Primacy of Army Mobilization Planning: Lessons from the Interwar Period (1919–41)”, Tim Devine and Jonathan Gerson

“An Enviable Position in the Pacific”: An interview with General Xavier Brunson
May 22, 2026 — Guest host Tom Spahr and General Xavier Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea (UNC/CFC/USFK), discuss Korea, the Indo-Pacific, and mission command... MORE

CLSC Dialogues podcast episode 29: "An Enviable Position in the Pacific," an interview with GEN Xavier Brunson

Corruption and PLA Generals
May 20, 2026 — Rick Gunnell... MORE

CLSC Quick Takes: Corruption and PLA Generals by Rick Gunnell

The Peru F-16 Sale: The Relationship Between Partner Politics, Extra-Hemispheric Adversaries, and US Defense Access
May 19, 2026 — On April 18, 2026, interim Peruvian President José María Balcázar temporarily suspended signing a $3.42 billion agreement for the purchase of 24 new F-16 C and D block 70 fighters, associated equipment, and support. The Peruvian government authorized the official purchase decision in January 2026, following a formal two-year evaluation process ratifying the need for the capabilities and finding the US offer met Peruvian needs better than other contender’s products, including the Swedish JAS-39 Grippen and the French Dassault Rafale F4... MORE

Slide for SRAD Quick Take: The Peru F-16 Sale: The Relationship Between Partner Politics, Extra-Hemispheric Adversaries, and US Defense Access by R. Evan Ellis

Decoding China’s 15th Five-Year Plan
May 15, 2026 — China’s latest Five-Year Plan signals that it has become more pessimistic about the global environment, seeing it as uncertain and unstable. However, the Chinese Communist Party sees opportunity in that instability to promote the Community of Common Destiny, their new model of global governance. The Five-Year Plan also signals that the Chinese will continue to use the United Nations to advance this new global governance system... MORE

Slide for Decoding China’s 15th Five-Year Plan by COL Kyle Marcrum, published by the Foreign Policy Research Institute

Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget and KMT Trip to Beijing, Part 2
May 14, 2026 — In part two of this two-part episode, COL Kyle Marcrum and Dr. Jessica Liao discuss Taiwan President Lai’s special defense budget and the Kuomingdang Chair, Cheng Li-wun, visit to Beijing... MORE

CLSC Dialogues podcast: Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget and KMT Trip to Beijing, Part 2, COL Kyle Marcrum and Dr. Jessica Liao

Parameters | Summer 2026
May 14, 2026 — Welcome to the Summer 2026 issue of Parameters, which consists of two In Focus special commentaries, three forums (Indo-Pacific, Strategy, and Historical Studies) and the Strategic Competition Corner... MORE

Web graphic for the summer 2026 issue of Parameters

Closing the Gap Between Threat and Rival
May 14, 2026 — This essay explores the advantages and risks associated with leveraging interstate rivalry frameworks for strategy development and planning. Advantages include reducing strategic uncertainty and gaining efficiencies in some aspects of force planning. Risks include trusting the data and accepting the methodical pace of research. While US security documents typically describe adversaries as threats or competitors, they rarely acknowledge that the behavior patterns among America’s three current interstate rivals—China, Russia, and Iran—differ fundamentally from those of mere threats or competitors. This analysis will benefit defense professionals responsible for developing regional or global strategies and for directing war-gaming efforts... MORE

Slide for Closing the Gap Between Threat and Rival by Antulio J. Echevarria II

Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget and KMT Trip to Beijing, Part 1
May 13, 2026 — In part one of this two-part episode, COL Kyle Marcrum and Dr. Jessica Liao discuss Taiwan President Lai’s special defense budget and why it is stalled in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan... MORE

CLSC Dialogues podcast: Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget and KMT Trip to Beijing, Part 1, COL Kyle Marcrum and Dr Jessica Liao