Recent Publications

2010 Key Strategic Issues List (KSIL)
July 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Antulio J Echevarria II Unlike other lists that generally reflect issues which are operational or tactical in nature, the focus of the Key Strategic Issues List is strategic. The spotlight is, in other words, on those items that senior Army and Department of Defense leaders should consider in providing military advice and formulating... MORE

Wanted: A Strategy for the Black Sea
June 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Stephen J Blank Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the June 2010 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Cover for Wanted: A Strategy for the Black Sea

Decisionmaking In Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: The Strategic Shift of 2007
May 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Steven Metz In this second volume of the series, Dr. Metz looks carefully at the 2007 decision to surge forces into Iraq, a choice which is generally considered to have been effective in turning the tide of the war from potential disaster to possible—perhaps probable—strategic success. Although numerous strategic decisions remain to be... MORE

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Employing Talent
May 1, 2010 — Authors: LTC Michael J Colarusso, COL David S Lyle, COL Casey Wardynski Efficient talent employment is at the core of the Army Officer Human Capital Model. However, the Army’s current employment paradigm is unequal to the needs of a professional, volunteer Army facing the twin challenges of a competitive labor market and an increasingly complex... MORE

Short of General War: Perspectives on the Use of Military Power in the 21st Century
April 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Harry R Yarger At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the United States is involved in two ongoing wars, faces a significant international terrorist threat, and is witnessing an escalation of international resistance to its leadership of the global world order. Looking out to 2025, many see the potential for a prolonged... MORE

Teaching Strategy: Challenge and Response
March 1, 2010 — Author: Dr Gabriel Marcella Teaching all strategy, from grand to military, is essential in the preparation of national security professionals and military leaders. The experience of the armed forces in recent wars recommends that those involved with the system of military education seriously study the way strategy is taught. The task is even more... MORE

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Developing Talent
March 1, 2010 — Authors: LTC Michael J Colarusso, COL David S Lyle, COL Casey Wardynski Developing leaders through experience, formal training, and education is a long-standing hallmark of the U.S. Army. Maintaining its excellence as a developmental organization requires vigilance, however. Authorized strength and inventory mismatches, an inverse relationship... MORE

Accessing Talent: The Foundation of a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy
February 1, 2010 — Authors: LTC Michael J Colarusso, COL David S Lyle, COL Casey Wardynski Accessing Talent: The Foundation of a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy, is the fourth of six monographs focused upon officer talent management in the U.S. Army. In it, the authors continue their examination of how the U.S. Army accesses, develops, retains, and employs officer... MORE

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Retaining Talent
January 1, 2010 — Authors: LTC Michael J Colarusso, COL David S Lyle, COL Casey Wardynski Over the last 3 decades, dramatic labor market changes and well-intentioned but uninformed policies have created significant officer talent flight. Poor retention engenders substantial risk for the Army as it directly affects accessions, development, and employment of talent... MORE

Known Unknowns: Unconventional “Strategic Shocks” in Defense Strategy Development
November 1, 2008 — Author: Mr Nathan P Freier The author provides the defense policy team a clear warning against excessive adherence to past defense and national security convention. Including the insights of a number of noted scholars on the subjects of “wild cards” and “strategic surprise,” he argues that future disruptive, unconventional shocks are inevitable... MORE

U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, Vol. I: Theory of War and Strategy, 3rd Edition
June 1, 2008 — Author: Dr J Boone Bartholomees Jr Hardcopies are only available to active duty members of the Department of Defense. Volume I of this edition of the U.S. Army War College Guide (USAWC) to National Security Issues corresponds roughly to one of the two core courses that the Department of National Security and Strategy (DNSS) teaches: “Theory of War... MORE

U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Issues, Vol. II: National Security Policy and Strategy, 3rd Edition
June 1, 2008 — Author: Dr J Boone Bartholomees Jr Hardcopies are only available to active duty members of the Department of Defense. Volume II of this edition of the U.S. Army War College Guide (USAWC) to National Security Issues corresponds roughly to one of the two core courses that the Department of National Security and Strategy (DNSS) teaches: “Theory of War... MORE