U S Army War College Guide To National Security Policy And Strategy

Volume II continues the analyses and discussion of national security policy and strategy.

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 5th 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. The book is not a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of either strategic theory or the policymaking process. 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 4th Edition to include several short case studies to illustrate the primary material in the volume.

This edition of the U. S. Army War College Guide to National Security Policy and Strategy differs from its predecessor published in 2001, The U. S. Army War College Guide to Strategy, in several respects. First, as the altered title suggests, the focus of the volume has expanded to include examination of the national security policymaking environment and process in addition to the earlier emphasis on strategy. Broadening the focus forced a necessary divergence from the tight alignment with the U.S. Army War College's (USAWC) strategy formulation guidelines that characterized the earlier volume. The guidelines are still fundamental to our approach to studying strategy and are included as Appendix I to this work --- we have simply allowed ourselves to delve more deeply into the strategic policy environment, reflected in the chart showing the Army War College Strategy Formulation Model found as a figure in the appendix. Second, the authors, with the exception of Martin Cook, are all current or recently departed members of the Department of National Security and Strategy in the War College. (Martin recently left the War College's Department of Command, Management, and Leadership.) This allows a more coordinated examination of issues in a manner consistent with our current approach to thinking about and teaching national security and strategy. Finally, we have avoided where possible reprinting articles. Some are so basic to the Army War College's approach to thinking about and teaching strategy that they reappear; most are written for this book.

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.