Recent Publications

Strategic Insights: The Post-Conflict and the Transformation of Colombia’s Armed Forces
August 17, 2016 — Dr. R. Evan Ellis From July 11 to 15, 2015, I had the opportunity to participate in a seminar in Bogota, Colombia, on the topic of transnational organized crime that brought together security sector professionals from 10 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, co-sponsored by U.S. Army South and the Colombian military. The activity... MORE

Cover for Strategic Insights: The Post-Conflict and the Transformation of Colombia’s Armed Forces

Strategic Landpower Task Force: Strategic Landpower in U.S. Conduct Of Modern Warfare
November 5, 2014 — Cadet Hamad Agha, Cadet Christopher Dante, Cadet Gregory Rice, Cadet Kord Roberts, Cadet Jackson Turner ForewordU.S. national security strategy is in the midst of a historic transformation as direct American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends and the nation searches for ways to exercise power more efficiently than in the past. The... MORE

New Realities: Energy Security in the 2010s and Implications for the U.S. Military
December 30, 2013 — Dr. Robert J. Bunker, LTC John D. Colwell, JrRevolutionary changes among energy producers and dramatically altered patterns of energy consumption across the planet are having profound implications for American national security in general and the U.S. Army specifically. For example, the reduced saliency of Africa and the Middle East as energy... 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 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

A Framework for Restructuring the Military Retirement System
July 24, 2013 — Authors: COL David S Lyle, Dr John Z Smith, Mr Roy A Wallace View the Executive SummaryThe current military retirement system has been integral to sustaining the All Volunteer Force (AVF). Mounting federal budget challenges, however, have raised concern that the program may become fiscally unsustainable. While several restructuring proposals have... MORE

The Army’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence: Dealing With The Careerist Bystanders
July 11, 2013 — Dr. Don M. SniderThe Army’s ongoing struggle to win its battle against sexual violence within its ranks can be approached in two ways. The dominant one is to define the issue as one of a perpetrator, a victim, and a crime; the results of the institution’s inability to enforce professional standards of interpersonal respect and behavior. Following... MORE

Op-Ed: Fixing the Future Rather Than the Past
July 16, 2012 — Dr. Jack A. LeCuyer To succeed, we must update, balance, and integrate all of the tools of American power. . . This requires close cooperation with Congress and a deliberate and inclusive interagency process so that we achieve integration of our efforts to implement and monitor operations, policies, and strategies.National Security Strategy of May... MORE

Adapting, Transforming, and Modernizing Under Fire: The Mexican Military 2006-11
September 1, 2011 — Author: Mr Inigo Guevara Moyano Since December 2006, when Felipe Calderon assumed the office of the President, Mexico has embarked upon the implementation of a culture of law and security that has triggered a war with organized crime involving all sectors of society. This implementation has activated a series of renovations in its armed forces,... MORE

Improvised Explosive Devices in Iraq, 2003-09: A Case of Operational Surprise and Institutional Response

India’s Strategic Defense Transformation: Expanding Global Relationships
November 1, 2009 — Author: LTC Brian K Hedrick India’s transformation to modernize its military, obtain “strategic partnerships” with the United States and other nations, and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond includes a shift from an emphasis on the former Soviet Union as the primary supplier of defense articles to a western base of supply and an... MORE

Transforming to Effects-Based Operations: Lessons from the United Kingdom Experience
January 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Andrew M Dorman The author examines the extent to which the United Kingdom (UK) has transitioned to effects-based operations to ascertain: (1) Areas where the U.S. Army could draw lessons from UK policies; (2) Areas where the U.S. Army and the British Ministry of Defence could develop integrated or complementary approaches and doctrines... MORE

The Reserve Policies of Nations: A Comparative Analysis
September 1, 2007 — Author: Dr Richard Weitz Throughout the world, military reserves are changing. National governments are transforming the relationships between their active and reserve components, the allocation of roles and responsibilities among reserve forces, and the way they train, equip, and employ reservists. Nations no longer consider their reservists as... MORE