Recent Publications

The PLA at Home and Abroad: Assessing the Operational Capabilities of China’s Military
June 1, 2010 — Authors: Mr Roy Kamphausen, Dr David Lai, Dr Andrew Scobell The chapters presented in this volume have demonstrated first, Chinese and PLA leaders have a strong sense of mission and concern for China’s security and well-being. Second, the PLA is committed to the transformation in military affairs with Chinese characteristics. Third, the PLA is... MORE

Wanted: A Strategy for the Black Sea
June 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Stephen J Blank Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the June 2010 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Cover for Wanted: A Strategy for the Black Sea

Decisionmaking In Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: The Strategic Shift of 2007
May 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Steven Metz In this second volume of the series, Dr. Metz looks carefully at the 2007 decision to surge forces into Iraq, a choice which is generally considered to have been effective in turning the tide of the war from potential disaster to possible—perhaps probable—strategic success. Although numerous strategic decisions remain to be... MORE

Sufism in Northern Nigeria: A Force for Counter-Radicalization?
May 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Jonathan N C Hill In light of the ongoing threats issued by al-Qaeda (AQ) against the United States and its allies, the need to prevent the radicalization of young Muslim men and women remains as pressing as ever, and perhaps nowhere is this task more urgent than in the countries of West Africa. The global expanse of the ongoing war on... MORE

Arms Sales to Taiwan: Enjoy the Business While It Lasts
May 1, 2010 — Author: Dr David Lai From our "Of Interest" occasional paper series, the author examines recent threats from China over arms sales to Taiwan.Read Now 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 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

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

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

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

Transnational Insurgencies and the Escalation of Regional Conflict: Lessons for Iraq and Afghanistan
March 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Idean Salehyan Many insurgents groups benefit from sanctuaries in neighboring countries where they are relatively safe from state security forces. These transnational insurgencies complicate traditional counterinsurgency operations in significant ways. Most importantly, transnational insurgencies have the potential to spark conflicts... MORE

Security and Stability in Africa: A Development Approach
January 1, 2010 — Author: LTC Clarence J Bouchat (USAF, Ret) The security and stability of Africa has recently become an important national issue readily seen in the increased time, effort, and resources now devoted to the continent by such new organizations as the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM). This paper seeks to overcome centuries of ignorance and... MORE