Army War College - Publications News

Parameters | Spring 2026

Pentagon News — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:11:00 GMT

Welcome to the Spring 2026 issue of Parameters, which consists of an In Focus special commentary, three forums (Clausewitz and Modern Warfare, Operational Considerations, and Historical Studies), and the Strategic Competition Corner.

A Human-Centric Framework: Employment Principles for Lethal Autonomous Weapons

Pentagon News — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:24:42 GMT

As lethal autonomous weapon systems become a battlefield reality, the Department of War must establish unambiguous employment criteria to allow war fighters to use these controversial systems ethically and responsibly. The updated policy should shift the conversation from the weapon system to humans by defining pre-deployment judgment and emphasizing accountability.

A Long, Hard Year: Russia-Ukraine War Lessons Learned 2023

Pentagon News — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:21:22 GMT

As the Russia-Ukraine War passed the two-year mark, the conflict ground to an entrenched, apparent stalemate. Nevertheless, the conflict, with a blend of conventional warfare and innovative technology, offers new lessons to the US Joint Force about the changing character of war. From fires to airpower to intelligence, this review of 17 different aspects of the conflict offers insights to prepare leaders for tomorrow’s war.

The 2024 Carlisle Conference on the PLA: Protracted War Against the PRC

Pentagon News — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:17:00 GMT

The US Army War College’s 2024 Carlisle Conference on the People’s Liberation Army was held on October 16 and 17 at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The conference brought together experts to discuss the People’s Republic of China’s understanding of and capability to carry out a protracted war in the Indo-Pacific, with this volume comprising papers authored by panelists.

Parameters | Winter 2025–26

Pentagon News — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:13:00 GMT

Welcome to the Winter 2025–26 issue of Parameters, which consists of an In Focus special commentary, two forums (Indo-Pacific Deterrence and Considerations for Modern Warfare), and the new Strategic Competition Corner.

For the Common Defense: 2025 Homeland Defense Symposium Compendium

Pentagon News — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:23:00 GMT

The United States Army War College’s 2025 Homeland Defense Symposium presented a unique opportunity for a whole-of-nation discussion and for information sharing on extant and emerging threats to the United States homeland. The research, presentations, key points, and discussions are consolidated in a compendium in this inaugural issue of For the Common Defense. Approximately 125 security professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds including the Joint Force, all levels of government, and civilian academia, attended in-person or virtually for three days. They participated in the symposium because they recognize that our homeland is once again in danger. Our potential adversaries are already making preparations to conduct operations in the continental U.S. in the event of a future large- scale combat operation. They will strive to disrupt infrastructure and supply chains, generate civil unrest, and create multiple dilemmas for elected leaders with the goal of keeping our military forces out of the warfight overseas.

Parameters | Autumn 2025

Pentagon News — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:10:00 GMT

Welcome to the Autumn 2025 issue of Parameters. We open with two In Focus commentaries. The first, “A Case for Military Proportionality: Disabling Nuclear Plants” by Henry Sokolski, offers practical ways in which military planners can disable civilian targets, such as nuclear infrastructure, without undermining operational goals, alliance cohesion, or long-term political objectives. Our second commentary, “The Consequences of Declining Patriotism in the United States” by Neil N. Snyder, presents findings from a national survey showing a decline in patriotism, especially among Generation Z nonveterans. His article highlights a growing civil-military values gap with implications for recruitment and national cohesion.

Understanding, Deterring, and Preparing for a Great-Power War in the Twenty-First Century

Pentagon News — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:34:00 GMT

This integrated research project highlights gaps in the US Army’s understanding of, and preparations for, a great-power war in the twenty-first century. The project employs historical analysis to enhance Army leaders’ understanding of great-power wars, provides novel ways to improve US strategies for deterring a great-power war, and explores ways the United States can better prepare for a great-power war.

More Than a Numbers Game: Comparing US and Chinese Landpower in the Pacific Requires Context

Pentagon News — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:00:14 GMT

As the US Army organizes, trains, and equips for an unforeseen future, service decisions should create or amplify relative operational advantages over the US military’s rising foe—the People’s Liberation Army. Discerning critical differences between American and Chinese land forces is a prerequisite for such efforts.

Weaponizing Risk: Recalibrating Western Deterrence

Pentagon News — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:51:18 GMT

Can NATO increase the risks and costs of war for an adversary without unduly raising the alliance’s own? Can the alliance strengthen the credibility of NATO’s extended deterrence through a proxy strategy of “waging war without going to war”?

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies into Common Operating Picture and Course of Action Development

Pentagon News — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:42:00 GMT

Explore artificial intelligence’s potential for military planning! This study examines how artificial intelligence and machine learning can enhance the US Army’s common operational picture and course of action development. Learn how advanced technologies streamline decision making, improve situational awareness, and tackle resource challenges for the modern battlefield.

Academic Year 2025–26 Annual Estimate of the Strategic Security Environment

Pentagon News — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:00:00 GMT

The United States faces a complex and ever-changing global environment. The Annual Estimate of the Strategic Security Environment is designed to guide the collective defense community to research and write about critical national security challenges to help the Army prepare for a wide range of potential conflicts and threats.

Cognitive Defense: 2024 Homeland Defense Symposium

Pentagon News — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:39:00 GMT

Using disinformation and social media means, cognitive warfare seeks to shape the attitudes and behaviors of a civilian populace by negatively influencing and disrupting their cognitive processes, thus weakening a society’s political will and degrading national resilience. The authors of these papers provide insights and offer solutions for cognitive defense.

Parameters | Summer 2025

Pentagon News — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:10:00 GMT

Welcome to the Summer 2025 issue of Parameters. This issue consists of an In Focus special commentary, three forums (Indo-Pacific Challenges, Russia-Ukraine Issues, and Historical Studies).

Thompson’s Rifle Battalion: The Original Unit of the Army of the United Colonies (Now the United States Regular Army)

John A. Bonin — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:13:00 GMT

Why is 1775 depicted on the official flag of the US Army? Why did Congress form the Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion as the first non-militia unit in the army of the United Colonies? Who was the battalion’s commander, William Thompson? What happened to Thompson and his rifle battalion during the rest of the American Revolution?

Parameters | Spring 2025

Pentagon News — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:14:00 GMT

Welcome to the Spring 2025 issue of Parameters. This issue consists of two In Focus special commentaries, three forums (Russian War-fighting Capabilities and NATO Interoperability, Strategic Competition and Managing National Security, and Joint Sustainment Strategies), the regular Civil-Military Relations Corner installment, and a review essay.

Assessing the Zeitenwende: Implications for Germany, the United States, and Transatlantic Security

John R. Deni and Jeffrey D. Rathke, Editors — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:26:01 GMT

This volume examines Germany’s Zeitenwende, a policy shift sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Key themes include national security, defense spending, energy diversification, and evolving ties with Russia, China, NATO, and the EU. Despite progress, challenges in strategy, defense, and sustainability raise concerns for Washington and transatlantic cooperation.

Toward a More Effective DoD Contribution to Strategic Competition in the Western Hemisphere

R. Evan Ellis — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:17:00 GMT

Innovative new thinking is needed on the security challenges the People’s Republic of China poses in Latin America and the Department of Defense’s role in the US response, including (1) enhanced security cooperation that helps key democratic partners succeed and provides the United States leverage and situational awareness, and (2) anticipating how the People’s Republic of China may exploit its commercial and other activities in the region in times of war.

Pretexts for War and the Preinvasion Crisis in Ukraine

the US Army War College Press — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:23:08 GMT

The US strategy in the lead-up to the invasion of Ukraine undermined Russian efforts to justify the war. This monograph derives lessons about counterjustification strategy through an exhaustive study of US military, diplomatic, and informational activities during the crisis.

Parameters | Winter 2024–25

Pentagon News — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:13:00 GMT

Welcome to the Winter 2024–25 issue of Parameters. This issue consists of an In Focus special commentary, three forums (Indo-Pacific, Security Cooperation, and Historical Studies), and the regular Civil-Military Relations Corner installment.