Recent Publications

“Recognizing the Increasing Importance of the US-ROK Alliance”
May 30, 2024 — The essay this podcast episode is based on sets the stage for the Strategic Studies Institute’s research on the growing importance of South Korea to the US alliance system and security objectives across the Indo-Pacific region, provides reasons why South Korea may become commensurate with Japan as the region’s primary US ally, and proposes ways the... MORE

"Deterring Russian Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons A Revised Approach"
December 7, 2023 — A change in deterrence thought and strategy is necessary to avoid nuclear escalation in armed conflict with Russia. Traditional threat-based deterrence strategies will not be successful, and a new strategy must address the conditions that might cause Russian leadership to employ nuclear weapons. An examination of the Able Archer 83 exercise using an original framework highlights the ways Russian interests ... MORE

“SRAD Director’s Corner: Understanding North Korea and Key to Security in East Asia”
August 25, 2022 — In this episode, Colonel George Shatzer focuses on North Korea and the Kim family regime. He reviews Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer’s Insights into North Korea’s Enigmatic Young Dictator by Jung H. Pak and Rationality in the North Korean Regime: Understanding the Kims’ Strategy of Provocation by David W. Shin and shows how these books might help readers better understand North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un and the implications of his actions for US foreign and military policy in the region. The books also provide insights for strategists attempting to plan for security in East Asia... 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

Grand Strategy is Attrition: The Logic of Integrating Various Forms of Power in Conflict
April 5, 2019 — Author: Dr Lukas MilevskiView the Executive Summary In this monograph, Dr. Lukas Milevski examines the logic of grand strategy in practice, defined by its most basic building block—combining military and non-military power in war. He lays out competing visions of how to define grand strategy and why the aforementioned building block is the most... MORE

Cover for Grand Strategy is Attrition: The Logic of Integrating Various Forms of Power in Conflict

Underestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future-Second Edition
August 22, 2018 — Author: Mr Henry D SokolskiView the Executive SummaryUnderestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future, Second Edition explores what nuclear future we may face over the next three decades and how we currently think about this future. Will nuclear weapons spread in the next 20 years to more nations than just North Korea and possibly Iran? How dire... MORE

Cover for Underestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future-Second Edition

Strategic Insights: Nuclear Posture Review: Three Reasons the Army Should Care
February 14, 2018 — Author: Dr Michael FitzsimmonsDebate over the Trump administration’s new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) is now in full and predictable bloom. While many of its conclusions demonstrate continuity with the Obama administration’s modernization plans, controversy has centered on two of the review’s recommendations: to deploy new low-yield weapons on... MORE

Cover for Strategic Insights: Nuclear Posture Review: Three Reasons the Army Should Care

Should We Let the Bomb Spread?
November 22, 2016 — Author: Mr Henry D SokolskiView the Executive SummaryNuclear deterrence and nonproliferation no longer enjoy the broad support they once did during the Cold War. Academics and security experts now question the ability of either to cope or check nuclear rogue states or terrorists. On the one hand, America’s closest allies—e.g., Japan and South... MORE

Cover for Should We Let the Bomb Spread?

India's Evolving Nuclear Force and Implications for U.S. Strategy in the Asia-Pacific
June 22, 2016 — Authors: Mr Yogesh Joshi, Dr Frank O'Donnell, Dr Harsh V PantView the Executive SummarySince India declared itself a nuclear weapon state in May 1998, its nuclear capabilities have grown significantly. India is now on the verge of acquiring a triad of nuclear delivery systems. Its increasing nuclear profile has also stirred a debate on its stated... MORE

Cover for India's Evolving Nuclear Force and Implications for U.S. Strategy in the Asia-Pacific

Underestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future
December 22, 2015 — Author: Mr Henry D SokolskiView the Executive Summary With the world focused on the nuclear crisis in Iran, it is tempting to think that addressing this case, North Korea, and the problem of nuclear terrorism is all that matters and is what matters most. Perhaps, but if states become more willing to use their nuclear weapons to achieve military... MORE

Strategic Insights: Thinking About Catastrophe: The Army in a Nuclear Armed World
December 14, 2015 — Dr. Steven MetzNothing is more important to American security than nuclear weapons. Despite all the fretting over terrorism, hybrid threats, and conventional aggression, only nuclear weapons can threaten the existence of the United States and destroy the global economy. This is certainly not news to American policymakers and military strategists:... MORE

Arab Threat Perceptions and the Future of the U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East
October 22, 2015 — Author: Dr W Andrew TerrillView the Executive Summary The threat perceptions of many Arab states aligned with the United States have changed significantly as a result of such dramatic events as the 2011 U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, the emergence and then fading of the Arab Spring, the rise of Iranian power and Tehran’s nuclear agreement with... MORE