America and the Future of War : The Past As Prologue

Throughout the world today there are obvious trouble spots that have the potential to explode into serious conflicts at any time in the immediate or distant future. This study examines what history suggests about the future possibilities and characteristics of war and the place that thinking about conflict deserves in the formation of American strategy in coming decades. The author offers a historical perspective to show that armed conflict between organized political groups has been mankind's constant companion and that America must remain prepared to use its military power to deal with an unstable, uncertain, and fractious world.Williamson Murray shows that while there are aspects of human conflict that will not change no matter what advances in technology or computing power may occur, the character of war appears to be changing at an increasingly rapid pace with scientific advances providing new and more complex weapons, means of production, communications, and sensors, and myriad other inventions, all capable of altering the character of the battle space in unexpected fashions. He explains why the past is crucial to understanding many of the possibilities that lie in wait, as well as for any examination of the course of American strategy and military performance in the future-and warns that the moral and human results of the failure of American politicians and military leaders to recognize the implications of the past are already apparent. --Provided by publisher Throughout the world today there are obvious trouble spots that have the potential to explode into serious conflicts at any time in the immediate or distant future. This study examines what history suggests about the future possibilities and characteristics of war and the place that thinking about conflict deserves in the formation of American strategy in coming decades. The author offers a historical perspective to show that armed conflict between organized political groups has been mankinds constant companion and that America must remain prepared to use its military power to deal with an unstable, uncertain, and fractious world. Williamson Murray shows that while there are aspects of human conflict that will not change no matter what advances in technology or computing power may occur, the character of war appears to be changing at an increasingly rapid pace with scientific advances providing new and more complex weapons, means of production, communications, and sensors, and myriad other inventions, all capable of altering the character of the battle space in unexpected fashions. He explains why the past is crucial to understanding many of the possibilities that lie in wait, as well as for any examination of the course of American strategy and military performance in the futureand warns that the moral and human results of the failure of American politicians and military leaders to recognize the implications of the past are already apparent. Williamson Murray Examines The Past To Shed Light On The Present And Future Challenges Between War And Peace. The Author Offers A Historical Perspective To Show That Armed Conflict Between Organized Political Groups Has Been Mankind's Constant Companion And That America Must Remain Prepared To Use Its Military Power To Deal With An Unstable, Uncertain, And Fractious World. The Character Of War Appears To Be Changing At An Increasingly Rapid Pace With The Scientific Advances Providing New And More Complex Weapons, Means Of Production, Communications, And Sensors, All Capable Of Altering The Character Of The Battle Space In An Unexpected Fashion. Murray Warns That Our Responsibility As A Great Power Demands That We Recognize The Nature Of The World; Where Force. Power, And War Remain A Driving Factor Of International Relations, In Which We Live. An End To War? -- The Nature And Character Of War -- The Nemesis Of Human Affairs : The Ever-changing Landscape -- Deja Vu All Over Again -- The American Problem -- When The Lights Go Off : The United States And War In The Twenty-first Century. Williamson Murray. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.