Search

A senior expert in national security matters provides the first comparative analysis of unconventional conflicts, using Malaya and Vietnam as lessons for devising new U.S. strategie to counter Third World strife and "drug wars" in the future. This is a provocative text for classes in U.S. foreign policy and military studies.

Completely revised throughout, this fifth edition reflects the new strategic landscape as it has evolved in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It includes issues such as US military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, the focus on homeland security, and the impact of the Bush Doctrine.

One of the most controversial aspects of United States foreign policy centers about its response to unconventional conflict--that is, revolutions, counterrevolutions, and terrorism--in and from a number of Third World countries. Examining the current U.S. political-military posture, this critical study assesses the challenges posed to open systems by these conflicts and proposes guidelines for creating a more effective U.S. response. The author first explores the nature of unconventional conflicts, then turns to the U.S. response to the challenges unconditional conflicts present. Urging the need for a new realism based on a more accurate picture of present political conditions and U.S. interests, he concludes with a series of suggested guidelines for designing U.S. policy, strategy, doctrine and organizational strategies as a means of developing a more viable approach to the challenges of contemporary military and political conflict.

This brand new edition of The US Military Profession into the Twenty-First Century re-examines the challenges faced by the military profession in the aftermath of the international terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. While many of the issues facing the military profession examined in the first edition remain, the 'new war' and international terrorism have compounded the challenges. The US military must respond to the changed domestic and strategic landscapes without diminishing its primary function—a function that now many see that goes beyond success on the battlefield. Not only has this complicated the problem of reconciling the military professional ethos and raison d’etre with civilian control in a democracy, it challenges traditional military professionalism. This book also studies the notion of a US military stretched thin and relying more heavily on the US Federal Reserves and National Guard. These developments make the US military profession increasingly linked to public attitudes and political perspectives. In sum, the challenge faced by the US military profession can be termed a dual dilemma. It must respond effectively to the twenty-first century strategic landscape while undergoing the revolution in military affairs and transformation. At the same time, the military profession must insure that it remains compatible with civilian cultures and the US political-social system without eroding its primary function. This is an invaluable book for all students with an interest in the US Military, and of strategic studies and military history in general.

“[This book provides] numerous brilliant and sound insights into the nature of low-level conflict. Sarkesian also perceptively describes the imperatives of the military mind set and armed forces structure necessary to help the US government achieve its national objectives in a turbulent world. Despite shortcomings, the book is a good and necessary work for those who want to know about the type of warfare that will engage our military forces for the rest of this century and beyond. Community college and above.”–Choice

This text explores the response of the military to the changing strategic landscape and shifting US domestic and international priorities. It looks at the roots of that response in the perceptions, attitudes, capabilities and self-images of the military profession.

The authors present an overview of the institutions and processes of U.S. foreign and national security policy. This is a standard and uncontroversial treatment that conforms to the mainstream assumptions of American policy makers and centrist academia. The authors do acknowledge the debate about models and interests that is carried on within that mainstream Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This brand new edition of The US Military Profession into the Twenty-First Century re-examines the challenges faced by the military profession in the aftermath of the international terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. While many of the issues facing the military profession examined in the first edition remain, the 'new war' and international terrorism have compounded the challenges. The US military must respond to the changed domestic and strategic landscapes without diminishing its primary function—a function that now many see that goes beyond success on the battlefield. Not only has this complicated the problem of reconciling the military professional ethos and raison d’etre with civilian control in a democracy, it challenges traditional military professionalism. This book also studies the notion of a US military stretched thin and relying more heavily on the US Federal Reserves and National Guard. These developments make the US military profession increasingly linked to public attitudes and political perspectives. In sum, the challenge faced by the US military profession can be termed a dual dilemma. It must respond effectively to the twenty-first century strategic landscape while undergoing the revolution in military affairs and transformation. At the same time, the military profession must insure that it remains compatible with civilian cultures and the US political-social system without eroding its primary function. This is an invaluable book for all students with an interest in the US Military, and of strategic studies and military history in general.

"This new edition of The US Military Profession into the Twenty-First Century re-examines the challenges faced by the US military profession in the aftermath of September 11. While many of the issues examined in the first edition remain, the "new war" and international terrorism have compounded the challenges." "The authors define the challenge faced by the US military profession as a dual dilemma: it must respond effectively to the twenty-first-century strategic landscape and undergo a revolution in military affairs while ensuring that it remains compatible with civilian cultures and the US political-social system without eroding its primary function. To overcome this challenge, the authors argue, the military profession must not only maintain its capability in fighting large conventional wars, but also be effective in limited wars and unconventional conflicts. Equally important, it must ensure that its voice be heard within the National Command Authority, Congress and by the American people. Only by adopting a policy of constructive political engagement with the US political-social system can the military effectively respond to the challenge of a "new war" and strengthen military professionalism." "This book will be of great interest to students of civil-military relations, American politics, strategic studies and military sociology as well as to military colleges and policy-makers." --Book Jacket.