Recent Publications

“A Failure to Innovate: The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War”
May 16, 2022 — The root cause for the defeat of the Armenian forces in the second Nagorno-Karabakh War was flawed military doctrine inherited from the Soviet Union. This article analyzes the major problems faced by Armenia, uncovers the main reasons for unsuccessful innovation, tests empirical findings against some of the most authoritative theories... MORE

Soldiers in Cities - Military Operations on Urban Terrain
April 6, 2022 — This podcast is based on a compendium that resulted from a conference on “Military Operations in an Urban Environment” cosponsored by the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce in conjunction with the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, the U.S. Army War College, and the Association of the United States Army. At the time of the conference, the concept of homeland defense was emerging as an increasingly important mission for the U.S. military. ... MORE

Parameters VOL. 49 NO. 1–2 Spring–Summer 2019
July 18, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J. Echevarria FEATURES:A2/AD Myths: Chinese & Russian"Anti-Access Strategies in the Pacific: The United States and China" by Sam J. Tangredi."Russia's A2/AD Capabilities: Real and Imagined" by Keir Giles and Mathieu Boulegue.Enhancing Security & Stability"Human Security in the Arctic: Implications for the United States Army" by... MORE

Parameters VOL. 48 NO. 4 Winter 2018-19
May 6, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J Echevarria II FEATURES: Special Commentary "Civil-Military Relations and Today’s Policy Environment" by Thomas N. Garner.Coercion: New Means & Methods"Social Media Warriors: Leveraging a New Battlespace" by Buddhika B. Jayamaha and Jahara Matisek."Multidimensionality: Rethinking Power Projection for the 21st Century" by David... MORE

Parameters VOL. 48 NO. 3 Autumn 2018
January 16, 2019 — Editor: Dr Antulio J Echevarria II FEATURES: Challenges for Civil-Military Relations: "Policy Revolt: Army Opposition to the Korea Withdrawal Plan On Alliances and Coalitions" by Eric B. Setzekorn."The Walter Reed Scandal and the All-Volunteer Force" by Richard G. Malish. On Alliances and Coalitions: "Fighting and Learning in the Great War" by... MORE

Strategic Insights: A New Era in Civ-Mil Relations: Rendering Advice to Those Who Do Not Want It
November 2, 2015 — Dr. Don M. SniderRecently, one of the most respected voices of those who work and teach in the field of American civil-military (civ-mil) relations, Professor Peter Feaver, provocatively offered the following question:When it comes to national security, should one advise President Barack Obama on the best course of action or just the best course of... MORE

The Limits of Military Officers’ Duty to Obey Civilian Orders: A Neo-Classical Perspective
July 30, 2015 — Author: Mr Robert E Atkinson, JrView the Executive SummaryThis monograph offers a neo-classically republican perspective on a perennial problem of civilian/military relations: limitations on military officers’ obligation to obey civilian authorities. All commentators agree that military officers are generally obliged—morally, professionally, and... MORE

Lead Me, Follow Me, Or Get Out of My Way: Rethinking and Refining the Civil-Military Relationship
September 1, 2012 — Author: Dr Mark R Shulman This monograph explains why robust civil-military relations matter and discusses how they are evolving. Part I discusses A More Perfect Military: How the Constitution Can Make Our Military Stronger by Diane Mazur, a book that examines the jurisprudence that has reshaped civil-military relations. Mazur maintains that since... MORE

Cover for Lead Me, Follow Me, Or Get Out of My Way: Rethinking and Refining the Civil-Military Relationship

Civilian Skills for African Military Officers to Resolve the Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Stability Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa
March 1, 2011 — Author: Ms Diane E Chido For decades, a lack of economic opportunity has caused instability and violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fortunately, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) is in a unique position to increase stability and reduce the causes of violence and extremism through new partnerships and military-to-military training. The current training... MORE

Civil-Military Relations in Medvedev’s Russia
January 1, 2011 — Author: Dr Stephen J Blank The best recent scholarship on Russian civil-military relations explicitly addresses this issue’s importance for both domestic and external security. An inquiry into the present state of those relations under conditions of defense reform and the current international situation is of immense analytical and policy relevance... MORE

Deciding to Buy: Civil-Military Relations and Major Weapons Programs
November 1, 2010 — Author: Mr Quentin E Hodgson The development and procurement of major weapons programs in the United States is a complex and often drawn-out process complicated by political considerations and often sharp disagreements over requirements and the merits of systems. Secretaries of Defense since Robert McNamara have sought to impose discipline on the... MORE

Cover for Deciding to Buy: Civil-Military Relations and Major Weapons Programs

Civil-Military Relations in a Post-9/11 World
July 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Leonard Wong The civil-military relationship, and specifically the interaction between civilian leadership and uniformed military leaders, relies on the attitudes and actions of both civilians and the military. Although recently there has been tension in the relationship between civilian leadership and the uniformed (and retired)... MORE