Recent Publications

The Second Berlin Wall
May 1, 2008 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the May 2008 newsletter. Read Now MORE

The Political Context Behind Successful Revolutionary Movements, Three Case Studies: Vietnam (1955-63), Algeria (1945-62), and Nicaragua (1967-79)
March 1, 2008 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Following the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the new world order did not bring about a closure of revolutionary warfare. In fact, the Soviet-inspired wars of liberation against imperialism have been eclipsed by reactionary, jihadist wars. By all indications in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Somalia, and Iraq, Islamic militants... MORE

Welcome Iran and North Korea to the Nuclear Club: You’re Targeted
June 1, 2005 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the June 2005 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Afghanistan: Reconstituting a Collapsed State
April 1, 2005 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen LTC Raymond A. Millen examines warlordism as the principal impediment to Afghanistan's revival and offers a shift in strategy that addresses the war of ideas, the counternarcotics initiative, and the incorporation of the Afghan National Army into the provincial reconstruction teams. As Lieutenant Colonel Millen... MORE

Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in the 21st Century: Reconceputalizing Threat and Response
November 1, 2004 — Authors: Dr Steven Metz, LTC Raymond A Millen Modern insurgency warfare presents fresh challenges for the United States, which must re-conceptualize its approach to fighting such conflicts. Because the dominant characteristics of insurgency--protractedness and ambiguity--effectively stymie the American military's approach to war, the United States... MORE

Strategic Ends in the Middle East
July 1, 2004 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the June 2004 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Reconfiguring the American Military Presence in Europe
February 1, 2004 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen The author examines America's options regarding the basing of ground troops in Europe and considers three major options available to the United States--complete withdrawal, annual rotations, and restructuring the Alliance to accommodate a smaller U.S. presence. While weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each... MORE

Why They Fight: Combat Motivation in the Iraq War
July 1, 2003 — Authors: COL Thomas A Kolditz, LTC Raymond A Millen, COL Terrence M Potter, Dr Leonard Wong With the recent lightning swift combat successes of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, there may be a tendency to view with awe the lethality of U.S. technology and training. The researchers, however, argue that the true strength of America's military might lies not... MORE

The “New” American Way of War
June 2, 2003 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen This year’s topic, "The 'New' American Way of War," was particularly relevant because it occurred during the height of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). Over 130 national security strategists, including ten flag officers, from the Department of Defense, civilian universities, and other policy-related institutions... 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

Strategic Effects of Conflict with Iraq: Europe
March 1, 2003 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen War with Iraq signals the beginning of a new era in American national security policy and alters strategic balances and relationships around the world. The specific effects of the war, though, will vary from region to region. The author has been asked to analyze four issues: the position that key states in their region... MORE

Defeating Saddam Hussein’s Strategy
January 1, 2003 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Should war break out between Iraq and the United States, Saddam Hussein will likely adopt a strategy designed to undermine the prestige of the United States and turn the Arab World against the West. A war culminating in a titanic battle for Baghdad would provide Saddam Hussein with the prestige and respect he seeks from... MORE