Military administration Books

Book SynopsisSince 2001 and the beginning of the “War on Terror,” Canadian culture has undergone a profound militarization. Moving away from previous myths of national identity centred on notions of multiculturalism and peacekeeping, Canada is increasingly being defined through a new patriotism based on military and policing actions around the world. In this book, A.L. McCready explains how this cultural transformation took place by examining a range of Canadian cultural case studies, from the supposedly grassroots “Support Our Troops” campaigns to films and CBC programs. McCready shows how a combination of cultural shifts and explicit government actions have worked to silence internal debate and criticism and to transform Canadians’ understanding of their country and its role in the world. McCready also shows how today’s patriotic militarism is part of a much broader socio-economic transformation of Canadian society towards a more neo-conservative and free-market oriented paradigm and how Canada’s militarized nationalism emerges from and is continuous with the nation’s racial and colonial history.

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Book SynopsisCommand responsibility, or executive accountability, assumes that leaders are responsible for the actions of their subordinates. If subordinates misbehave, violate basic moral laws, transgress international law, or thwart international standards of behavior, their leader may be called before to justice. Standards that set the boundaries of human action have been evolving for many millennia, with some degree of precision arriving after the post-World War II international war crimes prosecutions. The United Nations and other organizations have helped codify the international law under which commanders may be held responsible. This book explores the factor that have moved civilization closer to a standard approach to rule of law and the accountability of leaders for the actions of those they command.

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Book SynopsisThis volume is designed to be an in-depth and nuanced philosophical treatment of the virtue of obedience in the context of the professional military and the broader civilian political community, including the general citizenry. The nature and components of obedience are critical factors leading to further discussions of the moral obligations related to obedience, as well as the related practical issues and implications. Pauline Shanks Kaurin seeks to address the following questions: What is obedience? Is it a virtue, and if it is, why? What are the moral grounds of obedience? Why ought military members and citizens be obedient? Are there times that one ought not be obedient? Why? How should we think about obedience in contemporary political communities? In answering these questions, the book draws on arguments and materials from a variety of disciplines including classical studies, philosophy, history, international relations, literature and military studies, with a particular focus on cases and examples to illustrate the conceptual points. While a major focus of the book is the question of obedience in the contemporary military context, many similar (although not exactly the same) issues and considerations apply to other political communities and in, particular, citizens in a nation-state. Trade ReviewIn an era where we again see a clash of ideologies between major powers, ethical and disciplined decision-making in military and civilian organizations is a strategic edge for Western nations. On Obedience provides an enlightened and highly readable examination of this through the lens of the benefits and limits of obedience. In doing so, it redefines our understanding of obedience, disobedience and the grey spaces between, and what it means for the challenges of leading in the 21st century." —Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, Commander Australian Defence College, Canberra"This book is an excellent philosophical exploration of the concepts of obedience and disobedience, aimed not just at the military but also at all of us in society who must obey the rules and laws of our communities. Dr. Kaurin encourages the reader to consider not just when to obey orders, but when we might be morally required to be disobedient." —CHAPLAIN (SQNLDR) Revd. Dr. Nikki Coleman, Senior Chaplain Ethicist, Royal Australian Air Force"This book is a liberal education: morally engaged, intellectually serious, wrestling with the difficult problems of our time, and guided by classical literature. Pauline Shanks Kaurin helps us think about the purposes of obedience, under what circumstances disobedience to the military's 'unconditional liability contract' is justified, and how 'critical obedience' better serves both the practical and ethical needs of our military." —Kori Schake, Deputy Director-General, International Institute for Strategic Studies, and editor with Jim Mattis of Warriors and Citizens"New work on ethics and obedience is needed now more than ever, and Dr. Kaurin's contribution is brilliant. Her analysis is spot-on, insightful, accessible, and grounded in the latest research. This book belongs on military and leadership required reading lists. Conversations are called for from wardroom to boardroom, and Kaurin shows the way." —Prof. Shannon E. French, Inamori Professor in Ethics, Case Western Reserve University"The status of the military profession is balanced on the relationship with its citizenry. In On Obedience, Dr. Shanks Kaurin addresses this critical, but poorly understood concept. It is truly a book for our time, readdressing the questions of honor and obedience situated in today's complex political environment." —Nathan K. Finney and Tyrell O. Mayfield, editors of Redefining the Modern Military: The Intersection of Profession and Ethics "Citing ambiguous and troubling cases and public controversies drawn judiciously from the recent experiences of irregular and hybrid warfare, the author demonstrates that the classical or conventional dichotomy of 'unquestioning (passive) obedience' to orders, versus 'willful disobedience' (as previous writers like Samuel Huntington characterized it for generations of military practitioners) will no longer suffice for understanding the nature of the complex choices and actions that now routinely confront the average soldier, sailor or Marine in the exercise of combat operations. These choices and actions will instead require the exercise by rank and file military personnel of mature judgment, political prudence, and moral discernment in the contemporary field of combat, whether land, sea, air…or even, now, in space (not to mention in the 'fifth domain' of cyber conflict). The careful analysis and scrutiny that Professor Kaurin brings to these complex issues will significantly aid and advance the training, education, and practical preparation of military personnel to exercise their new, heightened responsibilities for confronting armed conflict in the 'grey zone.' Her work constitutes a truly remarkable contribution to professional military education." —George Lucas, Distinguished Professor of Ethics emeritus, U.S. Naval Academy "No one can engage in warfare without confronting moral dilemmas. Military organizations try to instill obedience and discipline in their members for when that time comes, but most leave it to the individual to figure out what those words mean. Professor Kaurin has addressed these issues and offered a deep but accessible guide for the military profession." —B. A. Friedman, Military Analyst, author of On Tactics and 21st Century Ellis

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Book SynopsisThe NROTC Guide is the authoritative, first-to-market comprehensive guide to all aspects of the NROTC program. Written specifically for the audience most important to the health and vibrancy of the program-talented young people potentially interested in a career as an officer in the naval service. On an average year, the NROTC program commissions almost a quarter of the Navy's active-duty officer accessions, approximately equal to the number commissioned by the U.S. Naval Academy. While myriad works exist describing the Annapolis experience, there is currently no book-format guide to the NROTC program, the application process, college life as an NROTC midshipman, commissioning options, or other concerns. Thus, this guide fills an information gap in an increasingly competitive market for America's talented youth.

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Book SynopsisThe Petty Officer's Guide is written and edited by petty officers for petty officers. It is designed to ensure Navy Petty Officers are ready to fight and win wars at sea, under the sea, in the air, on land, and in outer space and cyberspace by exposing junior Petty Officers to innovative and modern leadership methodologies. Serving as the premiere leadership guide to junior Navy Petty Officers, it enhances development processes and tools such as the Navy Leader Development Framework, Education for Sea Power, Sailor 360, and Enlisted Leader Development courses. Furthermore, it reinforces modern lines of effort identified in the Chief of Naval Operations' Design for Maritime Superiority and promotes the development of innovative leaders and strategic thinkers. This guide provides unique insights into the values, beliefs, attitudes, and skills that enable the success of naval leaders, how Petty Officers can use power bases, influence tactics, and managerial skills to achieve objectives, and how to influence their peers in support of organizational objectives to achieve the mission accomplishment.

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Book SynopsisAfter he was selected to be NATO's sixteenth Supreme Allied Commander, The New York Times described Jim Stavridis as a "Renaissance admiral." A U. S. Naval Academy graduate with a master's degree and doctorate from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, conversant in both French and Spanish, this author of numerous books and articles impressed the Navy's leaders and senior Pentagon civilians with his wide range of interests, educational background, keen understanding of strategic doctrine, mastery of long-range planning, and command of international affairs. Since NATO had previously been led by generals, Stavridis saw his assignment as the first admiral to take command as somewhat "accidental." As the American and NATO commander in Europe responsible for 120,000 coalition troops serving in fifty-one nations, on three continents and at sea he had come a long way since almost leaving the Navy for law school five years after receiving his commission.The Accidental Admiral offers an intimate look at the challenges of directing NATO operations in Afghanistan, military intervention in Libya, and preparation for possible war in Syria--as well as worrying about the Balkans, cyber threats, and piracy, all while cutting NATO by a third due to budget reductions by the twenty-eight nations of the alliance. More than just describing the history of the times, Stavridis also shares his insights into the personalities of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates, Leon Panetta, and Chuck Hagel, Afghan President Hamid Karzai; Generals David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal, John Allen, and many more. Known as an innovator and an early adopter of technology and social media, Stavridis' ability to think "outside the box" and sail in uncharted waters is unmatched. He shares his insights on leadership, strategic communications, planning, and the convergence of threats that will confront the United States and its allies in the near future. Stavridis is an advocate of the use of "Smart Power," which he defines as the balance of hard and soft power. He explains that in creating security in the twenty-first century it is critical to build bridges, not walls, and stresses the need to connect international, interagency, and public-private actors to achieve security.Trade Review"His chapters on leadership, strategic communications, and innovation are useful words for all military leaders." —Parameters "Coalition warfare, whether based on established alliances such as NATO, or so-called coalitions of the willing like that against the Islamic State (ISIS) group, continue to be the order of the day and appear to be Canada's preferred method for sending forces off to what we rightly or wrongly call 'war' these days. This highly engaging account of one man's approach to this type of generalship (or more accurately the art of the admiral) is both timely and a very worthwhile read." —Canadian Naval Review "Stavridis says he wants to show the reader not what happened during his four years, but rather why it happened. He proceeds to take the reader on a tour of challenges: from the toppling of Qadhafi to the civil war in Syria, Israeli security, a resurgent Russia, the Balkans, and finally, of course, Afghanistan. Thus the first few chapters are a whirlwind of individuals, meetings, and events. Among all this, he often pauses within chapters to highlight some of the more important senior military and political officials that make up the NATO alliance. His new memoir is a refreshing dose of honesty, intelligence, and reflection–much needed in today's Navy and tomorrow's leaders." —Naval War College Review "First, Stavridis provides valuable historical perspective of the major conflicts that occurred or were ongoing during his time at the helm of NATO/EUCOM. Second, he shares his views on strategic leadership to include the advantages and pitfalls that come with Twitter, Facebook, and the other tools of a more interconnected world. Fans of Admiral Stavridis's previous works are surely going to enjoy The Accidental Admiral. For new readers, it can serve as a valuable introduction that will then pull them toward his other works." —Naval Historical Foundation "Stavridis' perspective on how he arrived as the first admiral to ever hold the senior position at NATO proves interesting. After taking command in 2009, he recounts in six chapters his most pressing challenges. He does this primarily through a geographical lens with chapters focused on Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, Israel, and Russia. In each chapter he paints a candid picture from a strategic leader's viewpoint on how he approached the problems he encountered in each region. After the historical tour of challenges, he shifts to a discussion of leadership in a broader sense. There are five chapters on various aspects of leadership. Most of these leadership tents are valid, not just at the four-star military level, but to all leaders." —Military Review "Stavridis writes with a career's worth of confidence in never being too concerned with rocking the boat. He continues to consider himself a 'disruptive innovator,' based on a career advanced with 'house money' and never expecting advancement. In The Accidental Admiral, he appeals to modern militaries to consign their traditional introspective and repetitive practices and instead develop akin to the modern technological world, which embraces risk and innovates rapidly." —Australian Defence Force Journal "The Accidental Admiral is valuable, and perhaps even vital, for those seeking to understand the history and context of major foreign policy decisions during the Obama administration. On balance, Stavridis agreed with President Obama's decisions more often than he disagreed with them. But some of those disagreements were on hot-button issues. Most notably, the Admiral endorses a longer and firmer commitment to Afghanistan and associates himself with Senator McCain's interventionist position on Syria. Stavridis, however, does this without any of the buck-passing or back-biting that have featured prominently in many other recent foreign policy critiques. Accidental Admiral has many other strengths. The book offers rich lessons in the challenges of running too many headquarters, regularly interacting with dozens of foreign heads of state and senior defense officials, and overseeing major military operations in multiple hotspots. The book's 10th chapter on leadership should be mandatory reading for all military officers, and not just in the United States. 'Spend at least one-fourth of your disposable time on personnel matters, and 'Make mentorship a priority,' Stavridis intones. The Admiral clearly understands the human factor in everything as well as anyone – not least in the context of leadership." —War on the Rocks "Adm. Stavridis, through his recollection of his friendship with Amb. Rogozin and others, demonstrates that he understands well the importance of partnerships and friendships in navigating global crises as part of the smart power agenda that he personally promotes. U.S. foreign policy–toward Russia and in general–would benefit if it remembered that isolating adversaries may feel moral, but resolving crises requires a foundation of personal engagement. The White House could learn a lot from Adm. Stavridis." —The Diplomatic Courier "The Accidental Admiral covers only a short period of time but it is packed full of absorbing and fascinating stuff. His book is one of the best autobiographies of a senior officer to appear for many a year. Stavridis, who is a prolific reader of everything from social media to newspaper editorials in three languages, also writes extremely well and without a plethora of acronyms. After so many dry and dull military stories, the Stavridis story is like a cleansing gale of salt air. His autobiography is breathtaking and unputdownable." —Warships International Fleet Review "Much of the strength of the book lies in its style and structure. The text is admirably succinct but retains warmth and candour throughout, which make for an engaging read. A good balance is struck between specific events during the author's command and general issues of concern to today's senior officer... In this concise and readable memoir, Admiral Stavridis has provided an insightful overview of NATO operations during his eventful command. More importantly, perhaps, he has made a well-informed contribution to the debate about the future of the Alliance."—The Naval Review "Admiral Jim Stavridis is one of the most forward-thinking military officers and enlightened leaders of his generation. Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, piracy and cyber threats were just a few of the enormous challenges he superbly handled as Supreme Allied Commander at NATO. The Accidental Admiral gives readers a window into what it is like to wrestle with the toughest 21st century problems of strategy and diplomacy."—Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense, 2008-11; author of Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War "Admiral James Stavridis may be an 'accidental admiral' but he is no ordinary commander. He is equal parts thinker and doer, asking hard questions and continually challenging himself and the men and women under his command. His tour of duty as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe encompassed some of the most trying and important issues of our time in Europe and the Middle East. A rollicking and fun read." —Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO of The New America Foundation; Director, Policy Planning Staff, U.S. Department of State, 2009-11 "Admiral James Stavridis is a military intellectual who has written an engaging, deeply thoughtful book about leadership in the crucible of great events. In particular, his arguments about the continued relevance of NATO are prescient given the crisis in Ukraine. His defense of Generals Stanley McChrystal, David Petraeus, and John Allen is both poignant and necessary. This book should be required reading for young officers." —Robert D. Kaplan, best-selling author of Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History and The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate "Jim Stavridis is a unique breed of leader–at once both a seasoned practitioner, and a thoughtful, charismatic intellectual. He embodies the very definition of a 'renaissance man.' A generation of our leaders benefited from working for and with Jim–myself included. Readers of The Accidental Admiral will benefit from the insights of a proven leader's reflections of a pivotal time in history." —Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, 2009-10; co-founder and partner of the McChrystal Group "There was nothing accidental about Jim Stavridis becoming an Admiral or Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He is one of the best of the new breed of military officers–equally proficient at waging war and waging peace, equally learned in military history and cultural history. Whether dealing with Afghanistan, Russia or the Middle East, Jim has always demonstrated an ability to find new ways to look at and try to resolve age-old problems. In The Accidental Admiral, he brilliantly shares hard won lessons learned on the application of 'smart power' in the modern world and also offers readers critical insights into leadership, innovation, planning and communication. After I got to know Jim and to appreciate the range of his intellect and interests, I regularly would ask, 'What are you reading Admiral?' The books he recommended were always great reads from which I learned a lot. The same will be true for anyone who reads The Accidental Admiral." —Joseph I. Lieberman, Senior Counsel, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman; United States Senator, Retired "Adm. Stavridis has been variously called a 'renaissance admiral,' 'a military intellectual,' 'the best of the new breed of military officers.' All appropriately laudatory, but I suspect he'd settle for something simpler–the son of a man who set a high standard by serving as a (naval) officer for more than 30 years, perhaps; a devoted husband and a proud father, who was chosen to speak to his daughter's NROTC graduating class; an accidental admiral, a sailor and a patriot, whose success and service to his country was no accident at all." —The Washington Times

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Book SynopsisCol. Wesley Fox is a Medal of Honor recipient who wrote two widely-admired accounts of his wartime experiences in the Marine Corps. His Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps and Courage and Fear: A Primer are considered classic war memoirs. Drawing on his long experience of being a leader, Fox presents the six essential elements of leadership that all good leaders employ to build successful organizations able to cope with any challenge because they are truly built on loyalty and trust. Impressed by the manner and methods of his most effective fellow Marines to guide and direct, Fox defines leadership is defined as having a strong focus on the strengths of comradeship and its core importance to all individuals and organizations. In his view, managers are concerned with the bottom line and making a profit, while leaders are concerned with their followers, their health, happiness, and daily lives. Recognition of the sources of leaders is addressed and followed with a discussion of the principles of leadership and the historical traits of a leader.The book covers the essential elements of leadership: care, personality, knowledge, motivation, commitment, and communication with a chapter on each element. Finally, Fox provides an account of his personal experience and how his views about leadership were forged by the Marine Corps and by the crucible of combat. He provides many examples of leadership displayed by those with whom he served in battle--his fellow Marine unit leaders. While draw from a military experience, Fox contends that his six elements apply to all who want to pursue leadership. Developed during forty-three years of leading Marines in two wars and in the peace time, his principles are designed to inspire and motivate others in all endeavors.Trade ReviewIn what could be considered a top-tier resource for any aspiring leader, retired colonel Wesley L. Fox turns his more than 40 years of military experience into a leadership primer consisting of the most critical attributes that leaders must have to ensure success for themselves and their organizations. A sound understanding of leadership at this level prepares such officers for success at the operational and strategic levels. Because Colonel Fox’s book offers that sound understanding, aspiring leaders should add it to their short list of must-read material."Air & Space Power Journal

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Book SynopsisNorthern 'Q': The History of Royal Air Force, Leuchars takes its title from the long standing primary role as one of the oldest airfields in the UK. Leuchars began its links with military aviation as far back as 1911 with the arrival of the Royal Engineers who established a balloon squadron for reconnaissance training. Following the outbreak of war in 1939, the station was identified as an ideal location to launch maritime operations under Coastal Command. By the end of the war, Leuchars, like so many other airfields, was under the threat of redundancy as many airfields were rendered surplus to requirements. The developing international situation placed a shift in defence with the Cold War and Leuchars was once more deemed to be in an ideal and vital position. From 1950, this corner of north-east Fife has been on permanent guard with every type of operational interceptor in RAF service. Now politics from austerity to Scottish independence, rather than sound judgement, is setting the agenda as the RAF leave for Lossiemouth in Moray.

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Book Synopsis Based on unprecedented access to the Ghanaian military barracks and inspired by the recent resurgence of coups in West Africa, Agyekum assesses why and how the Ghana Armed Forces were transformed from an organization that actively orchestrated coups into an institution that accepts the authority of the democratically elected civilian government. Focusing on the process of professionalization of the Ghanaian military, this ethnography based monograph examines both historical and contemporary themes, and assesses the shift in military personnel from ‘Buga Buga’ soldiers – uneducated, lower-class soldiers, human rights abusers – to a more ‘modern’ fighting force.Trade Review “It goes beyond the older studies of military regimes in the “Third World” and beyond more contemporary ethnographies of guerilla movements and violent gangs in Africa (and to an extent parts of Asia). The emphasis on the everydayness of military life and the chapters about the different generations and their expectations of themselves, their careers, globalization and the military are excellent.” • Eyal Ben-Ari, Kinneret Academic College “This project is based on an unparalleled access to a notoriously difficult institution… [It] is a solid work that… brings an unusual perspective to studies of the military.” • Daniel Hoffman, University of WashingtonTable of Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1. The Breakdown of Everydayness Chapter 2. On Hierarchy and Trust: ‘Monkeys Play by Sizes’ Chapter 3. On discipline: Disciplining the Body and the Mind Chapter 4. New Soldiers on the Block: From Buga-Buga Soldier to Disciplined Soldier Subjects Chapter 5. Factors of Continual Subjection Chapter 6. Transformation in Broad Perspective: Professionalism, Civility and Civil-Military Relations Conclusion References Index

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Book Synopsis Bringing together new research by leading scholars, this volume rethinks the role played by militaries in politics. It introduces new theories of military politics, arguing against the inherited theories and practices of civil-military relations, and presents rich new data on senior officership and on the intersection of military politics and military operations. As the first volume in Berghahn Books’ Military Politics series, it provides a blueprint for a new research paradigm dedicated to tracing how militaries shape their political environments, focusing particularly on the core democratic questions raised by politically-effective (and ineffective) militaries.Trade Review “This volume provides an extremely valuable contribution to the academic and military professional literatures … This volume will quickly become one that individuals turn to in order to inform their thinking and their collegial arguments.” • Alan Okros, Canadian Forces CollegeTable of Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Breach, Neglect, Guidance Thomas Crosbie Part I: New Theoretical Perspectives Chapter 1. What is Military Politics? Thomas Crosbie Chapter 2. Rethinking Clausewitz’s Chameleon: Is It Time for Western Militaries to Abandon the Idea of War’s Immutable Nature? Anders Theis Bollmann and Søren Sjøgren Part II: New Perspectives on Senior Officership Chapter 3. Military Contrarianism: The Case of Israel Yagil Levy Chapter 4. Embedded in Politics: The Joint Chiefs of Staff, its Chairman, and the Structure of U.S. Civil-Military Relations Sharon K. Weiner Chapter 5. Civil-Military Challenges and the Militia James Campbell Chapter 6. Strategic Civil-Military Relations: Tomorrow’s Generals’ Views on Dissent, Disobedience and Principled Resignation Steven Lee Katz Part III: Military Politics and Military Operations Chapter 7. Military Politics on the Battlefield: Strategy and Effectiveness in War Carrie A. Lee Chapter 8. Begging Permission, Asking Forgiveness: Explaining How Officers Handle Wearing Two Hats in Multilateral Military Operations Stephen M. Saideman Chapter 9. Judges on the Battlefield? Judicial Observer Effects in US and UK National Security Policies Lena Trabucco Chapter 10. Small Powers’ Civil-Military Relations: Two Smoking Guns Carsten Roennfeldt Conclusion: Military Politics as Research Program Thomas Crosbie References Index

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Book SynopsisIn 1776 the American rebel colonists were desperately in need of arms and financial backing, and the Frenchman Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais came rapidly to their aid. Radical dramatist, business tycoon and former spy, he was the ideal man to encourage a revolution in the making, and he promptly set up a fictitious shipping firm to supply and transport munitions to the Americans; by September 1777 he had sent five million livres’ worth of supplies. American victories in three revolutionary battles owed much to this one remarkable man’s efforts. With its thriller-like episodes, moments of intense drama, and equally high comedy, Figaro’s Fleet provides an entertaining insight into the ‘cloak and dagger’ financing of the first revolution of the modern world.

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Book SynopsisIn almost every military intervention in its history, the US has made cultural mistakes that hindered attainment of its policy goals. From the counterproductive strategic bombing of Vietnam to the misguided accidental burning of the Koran in Afghanistan, the US has blundered around with little consideration of local cultural beliefs and almost no concern for the long-term effects on the host nation's society. Cultural anthropology--the so-called 'handmaiden of colonialism'--has historically served as an intellectual bridge between sovereign Western powers and local nationals. What light can it shed on the difficult intersection of the US military and foreign societies today? Each chapter in this book tells the story of an anthropologist who worked directly for the military, such as Ursula Graham Bower, the only woman to hold a British combat command during WWII. Each faced challenges including the negative outcomes of exporting Western political models to societies where they don't fit, and errors of perception that prevent understanding of indigenous societies. Ranging from the British colonial era in Africa to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Military Anthropology illustrates the conceptual, cultural and practical barriers encountered by military organisations.Trade Review‘A fascinating and pioneering study.' -- Asian Affairs‘Never before has cultural awareness mattered so much to military operations. By exploring the extraordinary lives and experiences of a remarkable bunch of characters, Montgomery McFate demonstrates the importance of military anthropology to the study and conduct of war. This is a most enlightening volume.’ -- Theo Farrell, Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, City, University of London, author of 'Unwinnable: Britain’s War in Afghanistan'‘Montgomery McFate has written a dense but fascinating book that examines the role of anthropologists in warfare, focusing on the importance of understanding culture to achieve success in counterinsurgency, unconventional warfare, and information operations. Invaluable to strategic practitioners in a world that promises continuing American engagement in small wars.’ -- John Nagl, US Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), Headmaster of The Haverford School, and author of 'Knife Fights: A Memoir of Modern War''A long overdue study of a critical yet often overlooked dimension of strategy and war. McFate puts her finger on why the military and academia find it so difficult to trust each other, and why both must find a way to do so.' -- Antulio J. Echevarria II, Editor, Parameters, US Army War College

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Book SynopsisFor more than a decade, the Balkans have been a centre of crisis – armed conflicts have brought death, expulsion, destruction and untold suffering to the people. The postwar efforts of the West have failed to bring lasting stability and real progress so far. The Symposium at Basel University was an interdisciplinary event where complex issues were elucidated by historians, geographers, sociologists and political scientists. The event enabled East and West European scholars and their American counterparts to exchange their somewhat divergent views. The speakers covered a broad range of subjects: historical causes, aspects of postwar economic and social development as well as sociocultural consequences of the democratization process. Special attention was devoted to the situation of minorities, the refugee problem and the security situation in the fragile states of the West Balkans and also to the responsibility of the EU and USA for the general stagnation in the area. The Symposium was intended to illustrate differing interpretations of the events of the past ten years and to encourage discussion between speakers and participants at the event.Trade Review«Der Band schliesst eine Lücke in der international verfügbaren Literatur. Er ist nicht nur eine Informationsquelle für jene, die sich mit der Region akademisch beschäftigen, die Beiträge eignen sich auch für Lehrzwecke und zur Vorbereitung auf Exkursionen oder Studienreisen in die Region.» (Martin Geiger, Geographica Helvetica)Table of ContentsContents: Dušan Šimko/Ueli Mäder: Introduction – Jason Dittmer/David A. Parr: Mediating Sovereignty: A Comparative Latent Semantic Analysis of US Newspapers and Conflicts in Kosovo and South Ossetia – Jan Rychlík: The Breakup of Yugoslavia - The Reasons and Consequences – Rozita Dimova: ‘Duldung’ Trauma: Displacement, Protection and ‘Tolerance’ of the Srebrenica Survivors in Berlin – Marie-Janine Calic: International Peace Building in Semi-Independent Kosovo: Lessons Not Learned – Miroslav Svirčević: History of Civil War in Bosnia-Herzegovina 1992-5: The Carrington-Cutileiro Peace Plan – Ivo Samson: International Law and Conflicts – Dušan T. Bataković: The Kosovo Aftermath: Challenges and Perspectives – Charles Ingrao: Confronting the Yugoslav Controversies: The Scholars’ Initiative – Alex Jeffrey: Civil Society and Transitional Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Aleksa Djilas: De Gaulle’s Vision of Europe and the Problems of the Contemporary Balkans.

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Book SynopsisThis book critically examines the content of British policy towards Sierra Leone from the outbreak of conflict there in 1991 to its official conclusion in 2001. It attempts to find answers to why Britain's New Labour government pursued a more proactive policy in Sierra Leone than its Conservative predecessors. This is done by means of traditionalist but especially transformationalist theoretical approaches. Analysis is made of the influence of major international organisations on British policy towards the Sierra Leone conflict as well as the impact of other important states. As foreign policy is not created in a vacuum, analysis is also made of the impact of the domestic setting, especially bureaucratic institutions.

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Book SynopsisBuilding on constructivist approaches to international relations this book develops a narrative theory of identity, action and foreign policy, which is then applied to account for the evolution of Finnish foreign policy. The book adopts an innovative approach by showing how foreign policy orientations need to be seen as grounded in overlapping and competing sets of identity narratives that reappear in different forms through history. By emphasising the dynamism implicit within identity narratives the book not only challenges traditional rationalist materialist approaches to foreign policy analysis, but also the current tendency to depict the story of Finnish foreign policy, identity and history as one of a gradual move towards a Western location. Rather the book emphasises elements of multiplicity and contingency, whilst re-establishing foreign policy as a highly political process concerned with power and the right to define reality and national subjectivity.Trade Review«Browning’s book is a long awaited contribution to the literature on small states and foreign policy analysis. The Finnish case offers an interesting perspective that should not remain just the property of Finnish, Nordic and Baltic experts but should be read by all interested in small states, foreign policy analysis and European affairs in general. Browning skilfully develops a theory on the relationship between national identity and foreign policy that is adaptable to other cases. Small states can also be smart and this book can certainly be described as a smart contribution to international relations.» (Marko Lehti, Tampere Peace Research Institute) «The book offers more than just a sophisticated, well-researched and country-specific application of a narrative approach to foreign policy. In fact, it offers a model applicable also to a host of other countries and works, more generally, as a critical inroad into foreign policy analysis.» (Pertti Joenniemi, Danish Institute for International Studies)Table of ContentsContents: Making Space for Subjectivity: The Inadequate Treatment of Identity in Traditional Foreign Policy Analysis – Towards a Narrative Theory of Identity, Action and Foreign Policy – From Nation to State: The Construction of Finnish Subjectivity, 1809-1917 – Radicalisation: Competition and Conflict in the Inter-War Period – From Emotionalism to Rationalism: Finland in the Cold War – Inventing New Traditions: Westernisation, Europeanisation and Beyond.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the changing nature and location of NATO’s operations, concentrating on the development of its extra-European interventions. The objectives of the book are twofold. The first is to provide a historical overview of the importance of the out-of-area issue to NATO. The book takes a chronological approach to this and maps the evolution of the debates that took place about NATO’s appropriate response to threats beyond the North Atlantic area from NATO’s founding in 1949 until the present day. The second objective is to assess how successfully NATO has made the transition from being a security actor with regional responsibilities to one that responds to global security threats. The author considers the argument that emerged post-9/11 that the key to ensuring NATO’s future vitality was to expand its geographic area of responsibility to encompass threats occurring both within and beyond the Euro-Atlantic area. This book therefore provides the first detailed examination of the evolution of NATO’s global role and the success with which NATO has adapted to its new responsibilities.Table of ContentsContents: NATO in a Cold War Context – Global NATO: The American Debate – Global NATO: The Allies’ Response – 9/11 – NATO ‘Goes Global’ – Operations in Afghanistan – Future Prospects for ‘Global NATO’.

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Book SynopsisThe decades of the 1980s and 1990s represented the golden era of alternative security' reflected politically in the idea of co-operative security' and militarily in proposals concerning the adoption by states of non-offensive defence' strategies. Alternative security aimed at addressing the political and military problems in Europe created by the East-West confrontation. When the Cold War ended, efforts were undertaken to apply the principles of co-operative security and non-offensive defence in world regions other than Europe. However, political realities have prevented many states from adopting such policies and strategies. This volume seeks to provide an empirical contribution to the existing literature on co-operative security and non-offensive defence by focusing on the Greek-Turkish and the Arab-Israeli conflicts. It argues that for states living in what has been called the zone of war', the adoption of policies of co-operative security and non-offensive defence is highly unlikely and to a considerable degree dangerous. A set of conditions is put forward as a prerequisite for the acceptance and implementation of the above-mentioned policies by the states concerned. It has been written in such a way that it can be used as a textbook by students or anyone else interested in security analysis, strategic studies and international relations. It has been based on the idea that the three fields are so interconnected that any effort to examine an issue in the light of only one of these fields may seriously distort reality. The book can also be useful to those interested in the Greek-Turkish and the Arab-Israeli conflicts. It examines not only the issues in dispute but, most importantly, it points to the strategic' logic which underlines the policies and attitudes of the actors involved in these conflicts.

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Book SynopsisThe study of asymmetrical warfare extends from the earliest known writings of man to the present day. While the term «asymmetrical warfare» may be unfamiliar to the lay person, the concept is by no means strange to any who have even minimal exposure to historical events. From the biblical story of David and Goliath to Herodotus’ account of the Battle of Thermopylae to the American Revolution asymmetrical warfare has been recounted or documented throughout human history. Latest since 9/11 the phenomenon of asymmetric warfare has become a subject within the international relations. The essays in the book offer a detailed look at various aspects of asymmetrical warfare from the theoretical to the practical to manifestations of asymmetry in recent history. While not a comprehensive list of all the contemporary avenues of research on the subject, the authors provide a sample of the broad range of approaches to the study of asymmetrical warfare.Table of ContentsContents: Edwin R. Micewski: Asymmetry and Western Society/Culture-Critical Reflections – Josef Schröfl: Worldwide Asymmetries – Heinz Gärtner: International Institutions, Multilateralism and Powerful States: Asymmetries in International Relations Theories – Werner Freistetter: Asymmetric Wars in the Bible? Theological-ethical Considerations on Violence and War in the Old Testament – Edwin R. Micewski: On the Moral-Philosophical Legitimacy of Asymmetric Warfare – Murad L. Wisniewski: Ecological Threats to National Security: Should the Security Policy Agenda be Expanded to Incorporate Environmental Security? – Walter E. Feichtinger: Asymmetry in International Politics – Herfried Münkler: Asymmetry and the Process of Asymmetrization – Thomas Pankratz/Tibor Benczur-Juris: Necessity, Opportunities and Limits on the Cooperation of Intelligence Agencies in the Fight against International Terrorism in the Framework of the European Union – Wolfgang Schober: Conflict Communication in Times of Asymmetric Warfare – Samuel R. Schubert: The Asymmetric Power of Terrorism – Martin Malek: Asymmetric Warfare in Chechnya – David Francis: Asymmetrical Warfare and the Regionalisation of Domestic Civil Wars in Africa: Implications for EU Interventions – Stefan M. Aubrey: Combating Al-Qaeda and the Jihadist Ideology: An In-Progress Review of the US National Counter-Terrorism Strategy – Joey S.R. Long: Managing Security and Addressing Asymmetric Threats through Multilateral Means in East Asia – Klaus Peter Lohmann: On Development of Modern Warfare. Basic Asymmetries and a Possible Strategy.

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Book SynopsisChina is the rising power of the early 21st century. In recent years, its economy has turned into a driving locomotive for the entire Asian continent. Undoubtedly, the country has become an important factor in global politics and economics with a tremendous impact on the political, social and economic development of all other states on our planet. Today’s emerging new world order is unimaginable without China playing a crucial role in it. The general aim of this book is to study in detail this transformation process and the respective changes in China’s relationship with other major political and economic powers. The articles compiled in the book were written by researchers from think-tanks, diplomatic institutions and academia. This publication easily guides interested readers through the general landscape of Chinese external relations.Table of ContentsContents: Gunther Hauser/Franz Kernic: Forword – Gunther Hauser: China - A Hyper-state on the Rise – Jianwei Wang: From «Strategic Competitors» to «Stakeholders»: U.S.-China Relations during the Bush Administration – Xiudian Dai: Understanding EU-China Relations: An Uncertain Partnership in the Making – Shogo Suzuki: China-Japan – Heinrich Kreft: China and India - Two Rising Rivals? – Martin Malek: Current Russian Geopolitical Concepts in Asia: A Special Focus on Uzbekistan and Iran – Gerald Hainzl: African Countries and China: A One-Way Relationship? – Klaus Fischer: World Energy Security Policy - Asia on the Move – Thomas Bauer: The EU Arms Embargo against China: Debating the Future of a Blunt Sword – Martin Kleiber: The Chinese Military on a Long March into the 21st Century.

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Book SynopsisMore than 50 years after Canada played an instrumental role in its inception, peacekeeping has once again returned to the center of the national foreign policy debate. Having participated in every peacekeeping operation set up during the Cold War and lived through the fundamental changes the activity has undergone in the 1990s, Ottawa is currently struggling to define a viable approach to peacekeeping for the 21st century. As a timely contribution to this effort, the study reveals the overt and subtle ways in which Canada’s commitment to peacekeeping has contributed to the promotion of vital national interests in the past and might continue to do so in the future.Table of ContentsContents: Where peacekeeping fits into Canada’s middle power foreign policy – How peacekeeping helped Canada to successfully fight the Cold War – Why expanded peacekeeping failed to serve Canadian interests in the 1990s – What a viable contemporary approach to peacekeeping could look like.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a case study in foreign policy change: It examines why the Bush administration suddenly redirected its nuclear nonproliferation policy toward North Korea in the aftermath of North Korea’s first nuclear test in October 2006, abandoning its former confrontational approach in favor of a more accommodating line. Existing explanations of this course reversal draw on the security implications of a growing crisis on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. domestic politics, and changing decision-making dynamics within the Bush administration. Employing before-after comparison, the study refutes these accounts – and it offers an alternative explanation: The Bush administration altered its nonproliferation policy toward North Korea toward a cooperative course because after the nuclear test, it perceived fundamentally improved prospects for fruitful cooperation on North Korea’s denuclearization.Table of ContentsContents: The Change in the Bush Administration’s Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy toward North Korea – The Implications of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Program for the Security of the United States – The Prospects for Six-Party Cooperation – The Domestic Politics of U.S. Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy toward North Korea – The Decision-Making Process within the Bush Administration.

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Book SynopsisCurrent and future adversaries will likely simultaneously employ a combination of different types of warfare. Non-state actors may mostly employ irregular forms of warfare, but will also clearly support, encourage, and participate in conventional conflicts if it serves their ends to do so. Similarly, nation-states may well engage in irregular conflicts in addition to conventional types of warfare to achieve their goals. The emerging theaters of hybrid and cyber-warfare reflect this changing nature of contemporary warfare. They transcend national boundaries, social and economic classes, and political ideologies. In these types of warfare there are no longer any clearly defined enemies, just as there are no longer any clearly defined allies. As a conceptual response to this kind of warfare, the «comprehensive approach» offers the best path forward, but must still be fully refined and analyzed before being applied effectively. This can only be accomplished through a coordinated and coherent strategy, along with regular consultations and interaction among all the actors involved. These factors will not only have enduring consequences for the future structure and training of most armed forces in the world, but they will also affect the politics of international security and defense policy while posing a challenge for theories of politics and international relations. This volume brings together leading international experts from different schools of thought to provide an overview of this topic.Table of ContentsContents: David Leakey: Foreword – Alexander Siedschlag: Security Policy as an Analytical Approach – Harald Poecher: New types of war - challenges and implication for the global Armament Industry – Erik Bjurstroem: Hybridization as a Key Challenge to Established Categories, Perceptions and Rules of Engagement in Modern Warfare – Dieter Muhr/Andrea Riemer: Take off your Sunglasses: Hybridity and Cyber Warfare - Driving moments for Asymmetric Warfare – Fred Korkisch: Arioser an Hybrid War - Airpower’s Role in Hybrid War needs Clarification: The U.S. View – Kenneth Geers: Demystifying Cyber Warfare – Kurt Einzinger: Cyber Warfare 2.0 - The Undertow of the Internet – Walter Unger: Cyber War and the Protection of Strategic Infrastructure – Heiko Borchert/Felix Juhl: Securing Cyberspace: Building Blocks for a Public- Private Cooperation Agenda – Edwin Micewski: Cyber Warfare and Strategic Cultures - Information Technology and the Human Factor – Neno Malisevic: Options for Tackling Current and Future Cyber Threats – Guenther Barnet: Searching for a Comprehensive Approach - Responses to the Complex Security Challenges of the 21st Century – Adam D. Svendsen: Intelligence Liaison: An essential navigation tool – Thomas Pankratz/Hanns Matiasek: Developing a comprehensive understanding of Transnational Organized Crime by applying a constructivist approach – Helmut Habermayer: Hybrid Threats and a Possible Counter-Strategy – Sammi Sandawi: Back into the Fog: Hybrid Threats and the Future of Conflict – Josef Schroefl/Bahram Rajaeed/Dieter Muhr: Summary and Outlook.

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Book SynopsisThis publication contains case studies on human and minority rights in the South Asian countries, including a special focus on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and articles on different forms of National Human Rights Commission and Immigration to the UK and «new minorities». It is further complemented by an in-depth study on Autonomy, Kashmir and International Law. Assembling articles authored by leading scholars from both South Asia and Europe, the book will contribute to a mutual exchange of views on human and minority rights issues in South Asia. In particular, the book is aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of current developments in South Asia and, on this basis, at enhancing a constructive dialogue between representatives of the scientific community, policy-makers and civil society in Europe and their counterparts in South Asia.Table of ContentsContents: Günther Rautz: Foreword – Rainer Hofmann/Ugo Caruso: Introduction – Gulshan Sachdeva: Human and Minority Rights in Afghanistan – Jagatmani Acharya: Bhutanese Refugees: The struggle in Exile – Anton Piyarathane: Human and minority rights in Sri Lanka – Som Prasad Niroula: Human and Minority Rights in Nepal – Borhan Uddin Khan/Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman: Human and Minority Rights in Bangladesh – Thomas Benedikter: Territorial Autonomy in India – Kaiyan Homi Kaikobad: Autonomy, Kashmir and International Law – Emma Lantschner: Set-Up and Challenges of National Human Rights Commissions in India and Nepal – Ugo Caruso: Comprehensive Security in South Asia: SAARC and the Applicability of OSCE Standards – Murtaza Hassan Shaikh: Immigration to the UK from Commonwealth Countries and The Issue of «New Minorities» Defined by Religion: Between their Group Rights and Integration.

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Book SynopsisThe Kingdom of Bahrain’s perseverance as an independent state in one of the world’s most dangerous regions presents an enigma in the metanarrative of three centuries of near perpetual strife along the Arabian littoral. This mystery is due to Bahrain’s size when compared to the very ambitious regional and international actors which have been eyeing Bahrain as a prize, a strategic stepping-stone to extending a form of hegemony over the region. Yet Bahrain is more than a pawn in the geopolitical games of larger states; it has its own set of skills and capabilities. It may be a small state in a dangerous region, but it is not weak. This work traces the long history of Bahrain and reveals how it has survived, especially since Revolutionary Iran has emerged as its main source of threat.Table of ContentsContents: History of Bahrain – Iranian Revolution Exportation – Regional and National Sectarianism – A Theory of Small States in Dangerous Regions – Bahrain’s Main Challenges – Bahrain’s Alliances – The Gulf Cooperation Council – From Revolution to Reinvention.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe Pursuit of Justice is the first book to examine three separate instances of soldiers risking their lives during wartime to protest injustices being perpetrated by military authorities: within the United States Army during the American Civil War, the Australian Imperial Force during World War I, and the British Army during World War II. Nathan Wise explores the three events in detail and reveals how-despite the vast differences in military forces, wars, regions of the world, and eras-the soldiers involved all shared a common sense of justice and responded in remarkably similar ways.Table of ContentsChapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: The 2nd Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment Chapter Three: The Australian Imperial Force Chapter Four: The 50th and 51st Divisions of the British Army Chapter Five: Conclusion

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Book SynopsisOpinion polls in Indonesia have repeatedly shown that the Indonesian National Army (TNI) is the state institution that enjoys the highest level of public trust. This is not something that is exclusive to Indonesia, however; according to several studies, people around the world place a higher level of trust in their military than they do in other institutions.

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Book SynopsisUneasy Warriors presents a rare and intimate view into the psychological and social workings of the Self-Defense Forces. As the first scholar permitted to participate in basic Self-Defense Forces training, Frühstück offers a firsthand look at an army trained for combat that nevertheless serves nontraditional military needs. She expertly describes their ambiguous status, revealing insights gained from several years of sustained research, including a stint "in uniform" at an army base near Mt. Fuji.

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