This edition of the U. S. Army War College Guide to National Security Policy and Strategy continues to reflect the structure and approach of the core national security strategy and policy curriculum at the War College. The fifth edition is published in two volumes that correspond roughly to the Department of National Security and Strategy's core courses: "Theory of War and Strategy" and "National Security Policy and Strategy." Like previous editions, this one is based on its predecessor but contains both updates and new scholarship. Over a third of the chapters are new or have undergone significant rewrites. Many chapters, some of which appeared for years in this work, have been removed. Nevertheless, the book remains unchanged in intent and purpose. Although this is not primarily a textbook, it does reflect both the method and manner we use to teach strategy formulation to America's future senior leaders.
Both volumes are organized to proceed from the general to the specific. Thus, the first volume opens with general thoughts on the nature and theory of war and strategy, proceeds to look at the complex aspect of power, and concludes with specific theoretical issues. Similarly, the second volume begins by examining the policy/strategy process, moves to a look at the strategic environment, and concludes with some specific issues. This edition continues the effort begun in the fourth edition to include several short case studies to illustrate the primary material in the volume.
Some of the leading thinkers and personalities cited include: Carl von Clausewitz, Mao, Sun Tzu, Che Guevara, Niccolo Machiavelli, Edward Luttwak, Basil H. Liddell Hart, Antoine Henri Jomini, Andre Beaufre, Martin van Creveld, Archer Jones, Quintus Fabius, T.E. Lawrence, Roger Trinquier, Guilio Douhet, Thucy Dides, Alfred Thayer Mahan.
Volume One contents: Introduction * Part I: Strategic Theory * 1. Why is Strategy Difficult? * 2. A Survey of the Theory of Strategy * 3. Toward a Theory of Strategy: Art Lykke and the U.S. Army War College Strategy Model * 4. The Strategic Appraisal: The Key to Effective Strategy * 5. Managing Strategic Risk * 6. Continuity and Change in War * 7. A Theory of Victory * 8. Toward a Strategic Theory of Terrorism: Defining Boundaries in the Ongoing Search for Security * 9. Thucydides and Contemporary Strategy * 10. Eastern Strategic Traditions: Un-American Ways of War * Part II: Instruments and Elements of Power * 11. National Power * 12. Strategic Communications: Wielding the Information Element of Power * 13. Diplomacy as an Instrument of National Power * 14. Theory and Practice of Modern Diplomacy: Origins and Development to 1914 * 15. Economic Diplomacy: Views of a Practitioner * 16. Economics: A Key Element of National Power * 17. Military Power and the Use of Force * Part III: Strategic Interests and Considerations * 18. Applying Clausewitz and Systems Thinking to Design * 19. Intelligence as a Tool of Strategy * 20. The Airplane and Warfare: Theory and History * 21. John Warden's Five Ring Model and the Indirect Approach to War * 22. Naval Theory for Soldiers * 23. On the Theory of Cyberspace
