This new Reader brings together key essays on strategic theory by some of the leading contributors in the field. Filling a large gap in the market, it will guide students through both the theoretical and practical aspects of Strategic Studies. Including classic essays and works of contemporary scholarship, the volume provides a wide-ranging survey of the key ideas and themes in the field of Strategic Studies. It comprises six thematic sections, each of which has an Editors' Introduction and suggestions for further reading: uses of strategic theory interpretation of the classics instruments of war: land, sea, and air power nuclear strategy irregular warfare and small wars future warfare, future strategy Striking a balance between theoretical essays and case studies, the Strategic Studies Reader will be essential reading for all students of strategic studies, international security and modern warfare, as well as for professional military students.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Uses of Strategic Theory Introduction. Strategy as a Science Bernard Brodie. Strategic Studies and the Problem of Power Lawrence Freedman. What is a Military Lesson? William C. Fuller Part 2: Interpretation of the Classics Introduction. The Art of War Sun Tzu. Strategy: The Indirect Approach Basil Liddell Hart. Arms and Influence Thomas C. Schelling Part 3: Instruments of War: Land, Sea, and Air Power Introduction. J.F.C. Fuller's Theory of Mechanized Warfare Brian Holden Reid. Some Principles of Maritime Strategy Julian Corbett. Air Power and the Origins of Deterrence Theory Before 1939 Richard J. Overy. Kosovo and the Great Air Power Debate Daniel L. Byman and Matthew C. Waxman Part 4: Nuclear Strategy Introduction. The Absolute Weapon Bernard Brodie. The Delicate Balance of Terror Albert Wohlstetter Part 5: Irregular Warfare and Small Wars Introduction. Science of Guerrilla Warfare T.E. Lawrence. Problems of Strategy in China's Civil War Mao Tse Tung. Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice David Galula. Why Big Nations Lose Small Wars: The Politics of Asymmetric Conflict Andrew Mack. Countering Global Insurgency David J. Kilcullen. Strategic Terrorism: The Framework and its Fallacies Michael Smith and Peter Neumann Part 6: Future Warfare, Future Strategy Introduction. Cavalry to Computer: The Patterns of Military Revolutions Andrew F. Krepinevich. From Kadesh to Kandahar: Military Theory and the Future of War Michael Evans. Why Strategy is Difficult Colin S. Gray. The War on Terror in Historical Perspective Adam Roberts. The Lost Meaning of Strategy Hew Strachan

Author Biography

Thomas G. Mahnken currently serves as the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Planning. He previously served as a Professor of Strategy at the US Naval War College and a Visiting Fellow at the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at the Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is author of Uncovering Ways of War: U.S. Intelligence and Foreign Military Innovation, 1918-1941 (2002). He is co-editor of The Journal of Strategic Studies. Joseph A. Maiolo is Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Department of War Studies, Kings College London. In 2005-06 he was Visiting Research Fellow at the Norwegian Institute of Defence Studies. He is author of The Royal Navy and Nazi Germany, 1933-39 (1998) and co-editor (with Robert Boyce) of The Origins of World War Two: The Debate Continues (2005). He is co-editor of The Journal of Strategic Studies.