Recent Publications

The Trajectory of Security Transformation
December 1, 2003 — Author: Dr Steven Metz Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the December 2003 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Future War/Future Battlespace: The Strategic Role of American Landpower
March 1, 2003 — Authors: Dr Steven Metz, LTC Raymond A Millen The authors examine the trends in the strategic environment in their development of the Future War/Future Battlespace. One fact is clear. Traditional warfighting has changed in the post 9-11 era. The U.S. military must adapt or fail. There is no other recourse. The authors have superbly framed the... MORE

Revising the Two MTW Force Shaping Paradigm
April 1, 2001 — Author: Dr Steven Metz One of the most important elements of U.S. military strategy for the past 10 years has been the belief that a force able to fight two nearly simultaneous major theater wars of the DESERT STORM type would be capable of dealing with the full gamut of security challenges that the United States is likely to face. These essays... MORE

The American Army in the Balkans: Strategic Alternatives and Implications
January 1, 2001 — Author: Dr Steven Metz U.S. strategy in the Balkans and the Army's role there is examined. The author recommends continued U.S. involvement, consideration of a long-term American military presence in the region, and some significant changes in role of the U.S. Army. The goals that led the United States into the Balkans have not yet been fully met... MORE

Asymmetry and U.S. Military Strategy: Definition, Background, and Strategic Concepts
January 1, 2001 — Authors: Dr Douglas V Johnson II, Dr Steven Metz This report gives a simple and comprehensive definition of strategic asymmetry reflecting the need for military doctrine which transcends today's specific issues. The authors assess the strategic situation of the United States in terms of positive and negative asymmetry and offer five strategic... MORE

American Strategy: Issues and Alternatives for the Quadrennial Defense Review
September 1, 2000 — Author: Dr Steven Metz The combination of a congressionally-mandated Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), a change of presidents, and shifts in the global security environment will force or allow American strategists to rethink some of the basic elements of U.S. strategy and decide if any changes need to be made. It is vital that the defense... MORE

Armed Conflict in the 21st Century: The Information Revolution and Post-Modern Warfare
March 1, 2000 — Author: Dr Steven Metz Within the past decade, the U.S. military has implemented a number of programs to assess the changes underway in the global security environment and in the nature of warfare. Defense leaders and thinkers have concluded that revolutionary change is taking place and, if the United States develops appropriate technology,... MORE

Refining American Strategy in Africa
February 1, 2000 — Author: Dr Steven Metz The author provides a broad overview of the African security environment as a basis for recommendations on the refinement of American strategy in that region. He assesses both the opportunities for positive change which exist today, and the obstacles. While only Africans themselves can determine the future of their region, an... MORE

Nonlethality and American Land Power: Strategic Context and Operational Concepts
June 1, 1998 — Authors: Prof Douglas C Lovelace Jr, Dr Steven Metz Nonlethal technology, concepts and doctrine may provide the Army a way to retain its political utility and military effectiveness in a security environment characterized by ambiguity and the glare of world public opinion. To explore this, the Army is undertaking programs and initiatives which may... MORE

The United States and the Transformation of African Security: The African Crisis Response Initiative and Beyond
December 5, 1997 — Authors: COL Daniel W Henk, Dr Steven Metz Helping Africans develop a capability to avoid or solve their region's security problems has reemerged recently as an important goal of American strategy, and the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) is its centerpiece. Based on their testimony presented to the Africa Subcommittee of the U.S. House of... MORE

Strategic Horizons: The Military Implications of Alternative Futures
March 7, 1997 — Author: Dr Steven Metz A year ago the Chief of Staff of the Army initiated the Army After Next Project (AANP) as a means of stimulating constructive thinking about the Army's future throughout the service. AANP has quickly developed into a primary vehicle for long-range planning. Under the leadership of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC),... MORE

The Strategist and the Web Revisited: An Updated Guide to Internet Resources
October 1, 1996 — Authors: LTC James Kievit, Dr Steven Metz Every day of the "Information Age" makes more material available via the Internet. Yet simply "surfing the 'Net'," while perhaps enjoyable as recreation, is ill-suited for rapidly locating valid, salient information. This is particularly true for analysts or military professionals seeking to develop... MORE