Recent Articles

In Support of the Common Defense Journal, Volume 2 Professor Bert B. Tussing, Dr. Brian Nussbaum, Colonel Thomas Keegan, Colonel Karl Bopp, Ritchie Dion Study by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "One of the enduring missions of the Department of Defense, and the United States Army, has been to defend the United States homeland from foreign aggression and those threats that might endanger its sovereignty, its infrastructure, or its citizens. From the American Revolution to “Superstorm Sandy,” the United States Army has played a key role is safeguarding not just American interests around the world, but the American people at home..."

Fostering a Police Reform Paradigm Doctor Karen J. Finkenbinder, Colonel Robert E Lowe, Doctor Raymond A Millen PKSOI Paper by the US Army War College, Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute "Of all the myriad of lessons learned in recent conflicts, the importance of police forces, to counter insurgencies and maintain security, is well-recognized. The police may be civilian, military or combination of types of police. Numerous articles, studies, and books have been published about all aspects of police reform but this monograph takes a different approach. It combines the theoretical with the applied and provides practical and historical applications of police reform."

Avoiding the Slippery Slope: Conducting Effective Interventions Dr Thomas R Mockaitis Letort Paper by US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has intervened in the affairs of sovereign states on several occasions by using military force. A combination of humanitarian sentiments and practical policy considerations motivated both Democratic and Republican presidents to become involved in civil wars and humanitarian crises. These interventions met with mixed results, and even the most successful missions encountered serious problems. Improving the conduct of such interventions requires understanding these past operations as well as considering conflicts in which the United States chose not to intervene."

Joint Strategic Planning System Insights: Chairmen Joint Chiefs of Staff 1990 to 2012 Dr Richard M Meinhart Letort Paper by US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "Military leaders at many levels have used strategic planning in various ways to position their organizations to respond to the demands of the current situation, while simultaneously preparing to meet future challenges. This Letort Paper examines how the different Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1990 to 2012 used a strategic planning system to enable them to meet their formal leadership responsibilities as outlined in Title 10 U.S. Code. As such, it provides an historic perspective in assessing the different Chairmen’s leadership legacies in using and modifying their strategic planning system. It also has a contemporary focus as it describes the planning system’s current processes and products."

The Struggle for Yemen and the Challenge of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Dr W Andrew Terrill Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "Dr. Terrill uses this monograph to explore how Yemen’s “Arab Spring” uprising paralyzed that country’s government and shattered its military into hostile factions for over a year beginning in early 2011. This prolonged crisis prevented Yemen’s government, under President Ali Abdullah Saleh, from doing much more than attempting to survive. Saleh used those military units that remained loyal to him for regime protection against anti-government demonstrators and troops who defected to those demonstrators. The uprising subsequently led to a security vacuum that helped allow AQAP and its insurgent force, Ansar al-Shariah, to expand their activities beyond terrorism due to the government’s preoccupation with the Arab Spring. Although AQAP and the Arab Spring demonstrators felt no kinship towards each other, AQAP was more than willing to take advantage of the disorder produced by the uprising. In this new security environment, the militants were able to seize and hold significant amounts of territory in southern Yemen. Despite this focus on capturing territory, Dr. Terrill also notes that AQAP has remained interested in striking at U.S. interests in Yemen and especially in implementing spectacular acts of terrorism against the U.S. homeland. "

The Future of the Arab Gulf Monarchies in the Age of Uncertainties Dr Mohammed El-Katiri Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "Seismic cultural and political shifts are under way in the Arab Gulf monarchies. The political upheavals and transitions that have swept through the Arab world over the last 2 years have not toppled the Arab Gulf rulers, but did not leave them untouched either. Rulers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states face heightened internal and external challenges and uncertainties. Pro-democracy protests and calls are extending from Bahrain to other oil-rich countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The expectations of GCC citizens, particularly the educated youth, are increasingly moving from socio-economic demands to political ones. They are now not only asking for jobs or wage increases, but also for more political participation and accountability."

Nigerian Unity: In the Balance LTC Clarence J Bouchat (USAF, Ret), Mr Gerald McLoughlin Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "This monograph examines why Nigeria is important to the United States, and the historic, religious, cultural, political, physical, demographic, and economic factors that will determine if Nigeria remains whole. It identifies Nigeria’s major fault lines and makes policy recommendations for the United States to support Nigerians in their efforts to maintain a functioning and integrated state and, by so doing, advance U.S. interests."

Collins Center Update Volume 15, Issues 1 & 2 COL (Ret.) Al Borque, LTC Mike Shekleton, Dr. Mike Matheny, and Prof. Steve Kidder, COL John Mauk, Dr. Richard L. Winslow, Colonel Scott A. Forsythe, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Purvis, Professors Bernard F. Griffard, Bert B. Tussing, Professor Jim Kievit, Ritchie L. Dion Collins Center Update by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership

Downsizing the Army Profession Leonard Wong Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "John Carpenter, film director of horror movies such as Halloween, was once asked what he thought it was that scared theater audiences the most. His answer was simple: “Uncertainty.” Carpenter understood that not knowing what will happen next often produces more anxiety and angst than actual traumatic events. As anyone who has sat on the edge of their chair during thrillers such as Psycho or Jaws understands, it’s the apprehension and dread resulting from uncertainty that exacts the most psychological toll from viewers."