Description
Book SynopsisIn the last decades, the United States Army has often been involved in missions other than conventional warfare. These include low-intensity conflicts, counterinsurgency operations, and nation-building efforts. Although non-conventional warfare represents the majority of missions executed in the past sixty years, the Army still primarily plans, organizes, and trains to fight conventional ground wars. Consequently, in the last ten years, there has been considerable criticism regarding the military's inability to accomplish tasks other than conventional war. Failed states and the threat they represent cannot be ignored or solved with conventional military might. In order to adapt to this new reality, the U.S. Army must innovate. This text examines the conditions that have allowed or prevented the U.S. Army to innovate for nation-building effectively. By doing so, it shows how military leadership and civil-military relations have changed. Nation-building refers to a type of military occup
Trade ReviewThe author has produced a direct and candid historical evaluation, enumerating the conditions that have allowed the U.S. Army to effectively innovate nation building in some cases, and also those instances in which the Army's efforts have not been successful.... This is a highly compelling approach and provides structure to a complex subject... The strength of the book is the historical analysis of each case that is thoroughly researched and referenced.... [T]hought provoking and revolutionary... The book should be required reading for all military and civilian leaders before sending future war fighters to foreign lands. * Army History *
Based on her historical analysis, Rebecca Patterson makes a persuasive argument that an effective innovation – in nation building but also in other non-conventional areas – depends on insightful military leaders unafraid to challenge the status quo and trustful civil military relations. Only with a military education and promotions systems that rewards innovative thinking and a more cordial political atmosphere will the US military be poised to adapt to 21st century challenges. -- Deborah Avant, Director of the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver.
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Nation-Building and Its Cousins—Choosing Cases Chapter 3: Effective Innovations for the Nation-Building of Post-World War II Germany Chapter 4: Ineffective Innovations in Operation Iraqi Freedom Chapter 5: Explaining the Absence of Innovation in Korea and Vietnam Chapter 6: Conclusion and Policy Implications Bibliography
