Recent Publications

Conflict Management and Peacebuilding: Pillars of a New American Grand Strategy
October 16, 2013 — Authors: Dr Robert H Dorff, Dr Volker C Franke View the Executive SummaryThe authors examine the utility of the U.S. Government’s whole-of-government (WoG) approach for responding to the challenging security demands of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They specifically discuss the strategic objectives of interagency cooperation particularly in... MORE

Op-Ed: Doubts on China’s “New Model for Great Power Relationship”
October 3, 2013 — Dr. David LaiA buzz phrase, “China’s new model for great power relationship (read U.S.-China relationship),” is making rounds in China’s diplomatic, defense, and policy analysis circles of late. Chinese official statements, policy think-tank discussions, and publications on U.S.-China relations are all heavily loaded with this topic. This fanfare... MORE

The Army Should Embrace A2/AD — A Rebuttal
October 3, 2013 — COL Vincent AlcazarIn July, in a Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) and U.S. Army War College (USAWC) Press editorial, Dr. Alex Crowther writes that the U.S. Army should embrace Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD).1 In strict terms, I agree with Dr. Crowther’s proposition: the Department of the Army should “embrace” A2/AD; however, I disagree with the... MORE

Strategic Landpower Task Force Research Report
October 3, 2013 — Dr. Steven MetzAcknowledgement. The author would like to thank Frank Hoffman of the National Defense University for major contributions to this report. Introduction. The 21st-century security environment compels the United States to develop more effective and efficient ways to promote its national interests. This includes refining... MORE

A Transatlantic Bargain for the 21st Century: The United States, Europe, and the Transatlantic Alliance
September 30, 2013 — Author: Dr Ellen HallamsView the Executive Summary In the 21st century, the transatlantic bargain that has framed the relationship between the United States and its NATO allies is under more scrutiny than ever before. In a changed geopolitical environment, one characterized by the complexity of modern military operations, the growing power of... MORE

The Effectiveness of Drone Strikes in Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism Campaigns
September 26, 2013 — Author: Dr James Igoe Walsh View the Executive SummaryThe United States increasingly relies on unmanned aerial vehicles to target insurgent and terrorist groups around the world. This monograph analyzes the available research and evidence that assesses the political and military consequences of drone strikes. It is not clear if drone strikes have... MORE

The Real “Long War”: The Illicit Drug Trade and the Role of the Military
September 24, 2013 — Author: Prof Geoffrey Till View the Executive SummaryThe 21st century has seen the growth of a number of nontraditional threats to international stability on which, trade, and thus U.S. peace and security, depends, and for the moment at least a reduced likelihood of continental scale warfighting operations, and something of a de-emphasis on major... MORE

An Assessment of the DoD Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace
September 23, 2013 — Author: Dr Thomas M Chen View the Executive SummaryIn July 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued the DoD Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, which outlines five strategic initiatives: 1) Treat cyberspace as another operational domain; 2) Employ new defense operating concepts to protect DoD networks; 3) Partner with other U.S... MORE

Closing the Candor Chasm: The Missing Element of Army Professionalism
September 19, 2013 — Author: COL Paul Paolozzi View the Executive SummaryCandor stands as the keystone element in creating the foundation of trust in the Army, yet the topic is muted. Stewards of the Army Profession build trust through authentic communication—in education, training, and modeled in application. Candor was previously included in Army Doctrine, yet nearly... MORE

Op-Ed: Is Strategy Really A Lost Art?
September 13, 2013 — Dr. Antulio J. Echevarria, IIHave we really lost the art of strategy? One has to wonder. Critics have told us the American way of war is “astrategic.” Or that the “bridge” that links military actions to policy aims is failing. We have also heard that strategy has been consumed by operational art. Apparently, a black hole now exists where American... MORE

The Security Concerns of the Baltic States as NATO Allies
August 27, 2013 — Author: Dr James S Corum View the Executive SummaryIf the United States is likely to fight in a coalition with small allies in the future, then it is useful to understand the experience, capabilities, and perspectives of those allies. Since regaining independence in 1991, the countries of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have been very active in... MORE

2013-14 Key Strategic Issues List
August 21, 2013 — Author: Prof John F Troxell *September 24: Part I, Imperative 2 has been updated***November 18: Part II, Commands 1 and 3 have been updated**For several years, the Strategic Studies Institute has annually published the Key Strategic Issues List (KSIL). The overall purpose of this document is to make students and other researchers aware of strategic... MORE