Books and Book Chapters

Books and book chapters covering a wide range of topics related to national security, defense policy, and military strategy.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Crossing the Strait: China’s Military Prepares for War with Taiwan

Joel Wuthnow, Derek Grossman, Phillip C. Saunders, Andrew Scobell, Andrew N.D. Yang, Joshua Arostegui, Michael Casey, Alexander Chieh-cheng Huang, Chieh Chung, Mathieu Duchâtel, Conor M. Kennedy, Roderick Lee, Sale Lilly, and Drew Thompson

Both the U.S. and Chinese militaries are increasingly focused on a possible confrontation over Taiwan. China regards the island as an integral part of its territory and is building military capabilities to deter Taiwan independence and compel Taiwan to accept unification. Based on original research by leading international experts, Crossing the Strait: China’s Military Prepares for War with Taiwan explores the political and military context of cross-strait relations, with a focus on understanding the Chinese decision calculus about when and how to use force, the capabilities the People’s Liberation Army would bring to the fight, and what Taiwan can do to defend itself.
The PLA Beyond Borders: Chinese Military Operations in Regional and Global Context

Joel Wuthnow, Arthur S. Ding, Phillip C. Saunders, Andrew Scobell, Andrew N.D. Yang, John Chen, Dean Cheng, Chung Chieh, Kieran Green, Kristen Gunness, Isaac B. Kardon, Ying-Yu Lin, Joe McReynolds, Jonah Victor, and Shinji Yamaguchi

No longer confined to China’s land territory or its near abroad, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting increasingly complex operations farther and farther from China’s continental borders. Within Asia, the PLA now regularly operates into the far reaches of the South China Sea and deep into the Western Pacific, enforcing China’s territorial claims and preparing to counter U.S. intervention in a regional conflict. Beyond Asia, the PLA is present on the ground, at sea, or in military exercises with foreign partners across the Indian Ocean and into the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Foreign militaries now regularly encounter the PLA, whether in tense incidents or friendly contacts, on their home turf and in the global commons.
Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition

Thomas F. Lynch III, Hassan Abbas, Zachary M. Abuza, Justin Anderson, Richard Andres, David Auerswald, Paul Bernstein, R. Kim Cragin, Diane DiEuliis, Gerald Epstein, Douglas Farah, T.X. Hammes, Todd C. Helmus, Frank G. Hoffman, Steven Philip Kramer, Irene Kyriakopoulos, Bryce Loidolt, Amanda Moodie, Mariya Omelicheva, James Przystup, Phillip C. Saunders, Shannon Smith, and Caitlyn Yates

In retrospect, it seems clear that the new era of Great Power competition that is the subject of the chapters in this volume began to take shape almost as soon as the last era had drawn to a close. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the sudden end of the Cold War, the United States found itself in a position of unchallenged (and seemingly unchallengeable) global preponderance.
A Persistent Fire: The Strategic Ethical Impact of World War I on the Global Profession of Arms

Timothy S. Mallard, Nathan H. White, Victoria J. Barnett, Nigel Biggar, Paul Coyer, Graham Fairclough, Michael H. Hoffman, Mark C. Lee, Marc LiVecche, John Mark Mattox, James C. McConville, Patrick Naughton, Eric D. Patterson, C. Anthony Pfaff, David Richardson, Michael Snape, and Thomas J. Statler

The profession of arms in the 21st century is at significant risk of losing its status as a profession due to several salient factors. Because of the rapid development of technology in relation to warfare, for instance, there are growing questions as to how much control human beings will retain of future combat, particularly given the speed of decisionmaking required for victory on the modern battlefield. As well, with the rise of new geopolitical and military coalitions, many are concerned as to how much war will remain an act of and in accordance with the political interests, values, and histories of individual nation-states, especially considering the thornier problem of developing the same for coalitions or allied forces. Furthermore, amid an increase in value-neutral societies (and the concomitant lack of personal moral formation of individual citizens), it may rightly be asked whether values-based institutions such as professional militaries can be adequately shaped to reflect any coherent national ethical consensus.
Chairman Xi Remakes the PLA: Assessing Chinese Military Reforms

Phillip C. Saunders, Arthur S. Ding, Andrew Scobell, Andrew N.D. Yang, Joel Wuthnow, Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga, Dennis J. Blasko, Edmund J. Burke, Arthur Chan, John Chen, Tai Ming Cheung, John Costello, Mark R. Cozad, Andrew S. Erickson, Kim Fassler, David M. Finkelstein, Daniel Gearin, Justin Godby, Brian Lafferty, David C. Logan, LeighAnn Luce, Ma Chengkun, Joel McFadden, Joe McReynolds, Ian Burns McCaslin, and Erin Richter

China’s current military reforms are unprecedented in their ambition and in the scale and scope of the organizational changes. Virtually every part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) now reports to different leaders, has had its mission and responsibilities changed, has lost or gained subordinate units, or has undergone a major internal reorganization.
The Armed Forces Officer

Richard M. Swain and Albert C. Pierce

In 1950 when he commissioned the first edition of The Armed Forces Officer, Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall told its author, S.L.A. Marshall, “that American military officers, of whatever service, should share common ground ethically and morally.”
Charting a Course: Strategic Choices for a New Administration

R.D. Hooker , Jr.; David Auerswald; Charles L. Barry; John P. Caves , Jr.; R. Kim Cragin; Craig A. Deare; Janice M. Hamby; T.X. Hammes; F.G. Hoffman; Christpher J. Lamb; Julian Lindley-French; Thomas F. Lynch III; Hilary Matfess; Michael J. Meese; Denise Natali; James J. Przystup; Theresa Sabonis-Helf; Phillip C. Saunders; Thomas C. Wingfield; and Peter B. Zwack

The new administration takes office in a time of great complexity. Our new President faces a national security environment shaped by strong currents: globalization; the proliferation of new, poor, and weak states, as well as nonstate actors; an enduring landscape of violent extremist organizations; slow economic growth; the rise of China and a revanchist Russia; a collapsing Middle East; and a domestic politics wracked by division and mistrust. While in absolute terms the Nation and the world are safer than in the last century, today the United States finds itself almost on a permanent war footing, engaged in military operations around the world.
Lessons Encountered: Learning from the Long War

Richard D. Hooker , Jr.; Joseph J. Collins; Alexander Crowther; T.X. Hammes; Frank G. Hoffman; Christopher J. Lamb; Christoff Luehrs; Nicholas Rostow; and Sara Thannhauser

Lessons Encountered: Learning from the Long War began as two questions from General Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: What were the costs and benefits of the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and what were the strategic lessons of these campaigns? The Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University was tasked to answer these questions. The editors composed a volume that assesses the war and analyzes the costs, using the Institute’s considerable in-house talent and the dedication of the NDU Press team. The audience for this volume is senior officers, their staffs, and the students in joint professional military education courses—the future leaders of the Armed Forces. Other national security professionals should find it of great value as well.
The People’s Liberation Army and Contingency Planning in China

Andrew Scobell, Arthur S. Ding, Phillip C. Saunders, Scott W. Harold, Michael S. Chase, Dean Cheng, Mark Cozad, Jeffrey Engstrom, Kristen Gunness, Alexander Chieh-cheng Huang, Ben Lowsen, Ma Chengkun, Lyle Morris, Mark A. Stokes, Marcelyn L. Thompson, Jonathan Walton, Catherine Welch, Thomas Woodrow, and Larry M. Wortzel

How will China use its increasing military capabilities in the future? China faces a complicated security environment with a wide range of internal and external threats. Rapidly expanding international interests are creating demands for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to conduct new missions ranging from protecting Chinese shipping from Somali pirates to evacuating citizens from Libya. The most recent Chinese defense white paper states that the armed forces must “make serious preparations to cope with the most complex and difficult scenarios . . . so as to ensure proper responses . . . at any time and under any circumstances.”
Women on the Frontlines of Peace and Security

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Leon Panetta, Valerie Amos, Michelle Bachelet, Rick Barton, Miemie Winn Byrd, Patrick Cammaert, Luis CdeBaca, Carter F. Ham, Cindy Y. Huang, Princeton N. Lyman, William H. McRaven, Jane Mosbacher Morris, Michael Mullen, Scott T. Mulvehill, Navanethem Pillay, Mari Skåre, James G. Stavridis, Donald Steinberg, and Melanne Verveer

There is a growing body of evidence that shows how outcomes are better for whole societies when women participate in peace talks, security-sector planning, and reconstruction efforts. For example, women often raise day-to-day issues such as human rights, citizen security, employment, and health care, which make peace and security plans more relevant and more durable. They speak on behalf of marginalized groups, often crossing cultural and sectarian divides, which helps give voice to everyone seeking a peaceful future. And once consensus is reached, women can help translate peace from an agreement on paper into changes that make a real difference in people’s lives.
A Low-Visibility Force Multiplier: Assessing China’s Cruise Missile Ambitions

Dennis M. Gormley, Andrew S. Erickson, and Jingdong Yuan

China’s military modernization is focused on building modern ground, naval, air, and missile forces capable of fighting and winning local wars under informationized conditions. The principal planning scenario has been a military campaign against Taiwan, which would require the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to deter or defeat U.S. intervention. The PLA has sought to acquire asymmetric “assassin’s mace” technologies and systems to overcome a superior adversary and couple them to the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems necessary for swift and precise execution of short-duration, high-intensity wars.
The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces

Martin E. Dempsey, Bryan B. Battaglia, Curtis L. Brownhill, Albert C. Pierce, Donald B. Abele, Reginald Edwards, Richard Espinoza, Andrew Hampton, James P. Horvath, Douglas J. Schmidt, Joel C. Zecca, and C.C. Clayton

A first of its kind, this book—of, by, and for the noncommissioned officer and petty officer—is a comprehensive explanation of the enlisted leader across the U.S. Armed Services. It complements The Armed Forces Officer, the latest edition of which was published by NDU Press in 2007, as well as the Services’ NCO/PO manuals and handbooks. Written by a team of Active, Reserve, and retired senior enlisted leaders from all Service branches, this book defines and describes how NCOs/POs fit into an organization, centers them in the Profession of Arms, explains their dual roles of complementing the officer and enabling the force, and exposes their international engagement. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey writes in his foreword to the book, “We know noncommissioned officers and petty officers to have exceptional competence, professional character, and soldierly grit—they are exemplars of our Profession of Arms.”
Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization

Michael Miklaucic, Jacqueline Brewer, James G. Stavridis, Gary Barnabo, Duncan Deville, Douglas Farah, Nils Gilman, Jesse Goldhammer, Patrick Radden Keefe, David M. Luna, Moisés Naím, Justin Picard, Celina B. Realuyo, Louise Shelley, John P. Sullivan, Steven Weber, William F. Wechsler, and Phil Williams

Acceleration. Magnification. Diffusion. Entropy. Empowerment. The global environment and the international system are evolving at hypervelocity. A consensus is emerging among policymakers, scholars, and practitioners that recent sweeping developments in information technology, communication, transportation, demographics, and conflict are making global governance more challenging. Some argue these developments have transformed our international system, making it more vulnerable than ever to the predations of terrorists and criminals. Others argue that despite this significant evolution, organized crime, transnational terrorism, and nonstate networks have been endemic if unpleasant features of human society throughout history, that they represent nothing new, and that our traditional means of countering them—primarily conventional law enforcement—are adequate. Even among those who perceive substantial differences in the contemporary manifestations of these persistent maladies, they are viewed as major nuisances not adding up to a significant national or international security threat, much less an existential threat.
Strategic Shift: Appraising Recent Changes in U.S. Defense Plans and Priorities

Richard L. Kugler and Linton Wells II

This paper examines major changes in U.S. defense plans and priorities that the Department of Defense (DOD) has issued through high level strategy and other guidance documents during 2012 and the beginning of 2013. It recommends that DOD “double down” in its pursuit of globally integrated operations through joint force integration in the context of the Capstone Concept for Joint Operations and the cross-domain synergy needed to operate effectively in the face of sophisticated adversaries.
The Future Can’t Wait: Over-the-Horizon Views on Development

Steven Gale, Sarah Irene Jackson, Richard Cincotta, Geoff Dabelko, Leon Fuerth, Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, Steven Radelet, Andrew W. Reynolds, Daniel Runde, Donald Steinberg, and Linton Wells II

In Spring of 2011 USAID’s Science and Technology Office and NDU agreed to co-host a symposium on future development challenges. USAID and NDU agreed to collaborate on a follow-up publication to the symposium.
Anticipatory Governance Practical Upgrades: Equipping the Executive Branch to Cope with Increasing Speed and Complexity of Major Challenges

Leon S. Fuerth and Evan M.H. Faber

The report suggests: (a) four concrete initiatives and eighteen specific proposals for organizing foresight as an input into the policy process; (b) eight initiatives and thirty-eight specific proposals for improving the capacity of existing systems to mesh their activities for coherent effect (i.e., networked governance); and (c)five specific, sequential initiatives to detect and respond to error and unintended consequences in mid-stream, before calamities occur (i.e., feedback).
Strategic Reflections: Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 2014 - February 2007

George W. Casey , Jr.

Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were the first major wars of the 21st century. They will not be the last. They have significantly impacted how the U.S. Government and military think about prosecuting wars. They will have a generational impact on the U.S. military, as its future leaders, particularly those in the ground forces, will for decades be men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is imperative that leaders at all levels, both military and civilian, share their experiences to ensure that we, as a military and as a country, gain appropriate insights for the future.
Capability Development in Support of Comprehensive Approaches: Transforming International Civil-Military Interactions

Derrick J. Neal, Linton Wells II, Rosa Akbari, Torsten Björkman, Ralph Doughty, Henrik Friman, John P. Geis II, Neville R. Gregory, Ted Hailes, Grant Hammond, John E. Herbst, Richard L. Hughes, Hans-Jürgen Kasselmann, Elizabeth Lape, Richard T. Menhinick, Derrick J. Neal, Terry J. Pudas, Ted Rybeck, Velizar Shalamanov, and Jon Stull

This book is the product of the Second International Transformation (ITX2) Conference, held in Rome, Italy, at the NATO Defense College (NDC) in June 2011.
Policing and COIN Operations: Lessons Learned, Strategies and Future Directions

Samuel Musa, John Morgan, Matt Keegan, Arif Alikhan, Brian Berrey, James Keagle, Drew Lomax, Robert Perito, and James Schear

A monograph that grasped the need to expand the focus of the role of policing in counterinsurgency, and considering the framework for the desired outcome to influence policymakers on the future directions of the role of policing.