Recent Publications

Parameters | Winter 2025–26
December 17, 2025 — Welcome to the Winter 2025–26 issue of Parameters, which consists of an In Focus special commentary, two forums (Indo-Pacific Deterrence and Considerations for Modern Warfare), and the new Strategic Competition Corner... MORE

SRAD Newsletter Q4
February 3, 2026 — The Strategic Research & Analysis Department (SRAD) would like to share some of the team’s analysis and insights on the strategic environment and geopolitical events from the past quarter... MORE

The Consequences of Declining Patriotism in the United States
February 2, 2026 — In this episode, Colonel Neil Snyder and Charles “Chuck” Allen discuss declining patriotism in the United States, highlighting generational and veteran–nonveteran gaps revealed in Snyder’s research. They explore how patriotism influences trust in the military, the challenges of building that trust, and the roles of leadership, communication, and shared values in bridging divides. Both emphasize that leaders must make people feel valued, engage authentically across generations, and anchor service and purpose in the Constitution and the American people... MORE

Decisive Point Podcast Ep 6-2 – Neil N. Snyder and Charles “Chuck” Allen – The Consequences of Declining Patriotism in the United States

SSI Live 119 – On Venezuela
January 30, 2026 — This episode discusses Latin American reactions to the recent US operation in Venezuela, noting that some governments expressed criticism but with notable restraint due to domestic political and economic considerations. Dr. R. Evan Ellis explains that the operation exposed the ineffectiveness of Russian and Chinese air defense systems in Venezuela, which may influence future military procurement and perceptions of US capabilities in the region. The conversation also explores how China, Russia, Iran, and other extra hemispheric actors may recalibrate their engagement in Latin America in response to renewed U.S. focus and pressure... MORE

Slide for SSI Live Podcast – Ep 119 – On Venezuela

PLA Navy Marine Corps Tank Companies Emphasize Expeditionary Capabilities
January 27, 2026 — Joaquin Camarena... MORE

Theory Meets Practice: The PLA National Defense University Revives the Operational Instructor Program
January 27, 2026 — Dennis J. Blasko... MORE

Discussion on the New National Security Strategy and its Relevance to the Pacific
January 27, 2026 — Rick Gunnell and Colonel Michael Long discuss the latest National Security Strategy and its implications for the US posture toward the Indo-Pacific... MORE

Slide for CLSC Dialogues – Ep 25 – Rick Gunnell and COL Michael Long – Discussion on the New National Security Strategy and its Relevance to the Pacific

Book Review: The Politics of War and Peace: A Survey of Thought
January 21, 2026 — Spanning centuries of political and philosophical reflection, Brayton’s work explores how thinkers from ancient times to the modern era have grappled with the moral and strategic dilemmas of war and peace. Through a rich tapestry of ideas, the book reveals the enduring tensions between justice, power, and diplomacy. It’s an essential guide for understanding how past wisdom continues to shape contemporary debates on conflict and resolution... MORE

Cover of The Politics of War and Peace: A Survey of Thought by Abbott A. Brayton and Stephana J. Landwehr

Book Review: Alliances & Armor: Communist Diplomacy and Armored Warfare During the War in Vietnam
January 16, 2026 — In Alliances & Armor, Jim Pomeroy reveals how Cold War diplomacy shaped North Vietnam’s battlefield tactics, transforming guerrilla warfare into Soviet-style armored offensives. Drawing from multi-archival sources, the book traces Hanoi’s strategic pivot from China to the USSR amid shifting global alliances and escalating US involvement. With gripping detail, Pomeroy chronicles the rise of the People’s Army of Vietnam’s tank-led campaigns, culminating in the dramatic fall of Saigon... MORE

Cover of Alliances & Armor: Communist Diplomacy and Armored Warfare During the War in Vietnam by Jim Pomeroy

Book Review: World War II Battles Reconsidered: Game Theory and Decision Science Perspectives on Gazala, El Alamein, Falaise, and Arnhem
January 16, 2026 — Former Harvard professor Mark Thompson applies cutting-edge decision science and game theory to four pivotal World War II battles, revealing how strategic missteps and psychological biases shaped their outcomes. From Gazala’s disastrous command decisions to Arnhem’s flawed reliance on surprise, each case is dissected with analytical precision and historical depth. This groundbreaking study challenges conventional military narratives and offers a fresh lens on leadership, risk, and battlefield logic... MORE

Cover for World War II Battles Reconsidered: Game Theory and Decision Science Perspectives on Gazala, El Alamein, Falaise, and Arnhem by Mark Thompson

Book Review: Crisis and Crossfire: The United States and the Middle East Since 1945 – Second Edition
January 16, 2026 — From the Arab-Israeli peace process to the fight against terrorism, Hahn’s updated history reveals the forces shaping US policy in one of the world’s most volatile regions... MORE

Cover of Crisis and Crossfire: The United States and the Middle East Since 1945 – Second Edition by Peter L. Hahn

Book Review: A Day in September: The Battle of Antietam and the World It Left Behind
January 16, 2026 — A Day in September: The Battle of Antietam and the World It Left Behind analyzes the battle’s “Revolution in Military Affairs” and how it radically changed the United States and the world. It focuses on technologies, personalities, military doctrine, nongovernmental organizations, medical advances, international intrigue, and politics... MORE

Cover of A Day in September: The Battle of Antietam and the World It Left Behind by Stephen Budiansky