Understanding Contemporary Strategy

by Kane; Thomas M.

• ISBN13: 9780415461672
• ISBN10: 0415461677
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2011-12-06
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Understanding Modern Strategyprovides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of modern strategy. Covering all the main issues in the field, the book explores the major themes through a combination of classical and modern strategic theory, history and current practice. The book is split into three main sections: Definition and context: including discussion of the human, technological, intelligence, ethical and grand-strategic dimensions; Strategy in the geographic environments: land, sea, air and space; Contemporary strategic challenges: terrorism, insurgency and nuclear strategy. Each chapter presents the reader with a succinct summary of the topic, but also provides a challenging analysis of current issues, supporting students with pedagogical features such as suggested further reading, boxed case studies and study questions. This book will be essential reading for upper-level students of strategic studies, war studies, military history and international security.

Author Biography

Thomas M Kane is Lecturer in international politics at the University of Hull. He specializes in the art of strategy, with a particular interest in its application in China. Relevant publications include Ancient China on Postmodern War (2007), Chinese Grand Strategy and Maritime Power (2005) and Military Logistics and Strategic Performance (2002). David J. Lonsdale is Lecturer in strategic studies at the University of Hull. He specializes in strategic theory and its application to historical and contemporary settings. His recent publications include Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy (2007) and The Nature of War in the Information Age (2004).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. viii
Introduction	p. 1
Context	p. 9
Defining strategy	p. 10
The human dimension of strategy	p. 28
The ethics of war	p. 44
Technology and revolutions in military affairs	p. 67
Intelligence	p. 88
Grand strategy	p. 102
The geographic dimensions	p. 113
Land power	p. 114
Sea power	p. 137
Air power	p. 158
Space power	p. 180
Contemporary strategic challenges	p. 199
Nuclear strategy	p. 200
Terrorism	p. 224
Insurgency and counterinsurgency	p. 239
Conclusion: patterns in grand strategy today	p. 258
Notes	p. 262
Select bibliography	p. 282
Index	p. 288
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