Regional Issues

The Costs of Conflict: The Impact on China of a Future War Dr Andrew Scobell Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "A widely held belief is that China will not use force against Taiwan. Frequently, one of two major assumptions is made to justify this assertion: first, Chinese leaders realize that the economic cost of such an operation would be unacceptable; second, China’s leaders recognize that, for at least the next decade or so, any attempt to seize Taiwan would be doomed to failure. Both these assumptions are questionable and indeed downright dangerous."

Funding Defense: Challenges of Buying Military Capability in Sub-Saharan Africa COL Daniel W Henk, Dr Martin Revayi Rupiya Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "In this monograph, Martin Rupiya, Director of the University of Zimbabwe’s Centre for Defence Studies, and Daniel Henk of the Air War College provide one of the first comprehensive studies of defense budgeting practices in Africa. They assess both the problems with these practices, and fruitful avenues of reform. By doing so, they provide a solid roadmap both for African leaders and for Americans concerned with the development of greater security in the region."

The Regional Security Crisis in the Andes: Patterns of State Response Dr Judith A Gentleman Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "For some time it has been apparent that the crisis of Colombia is no longer confined to that country. In fact, under no imaginable scenario can Colombia’s problems be contained within it. The activities of drug traffickers and guerrillas are on the rise in the entire region, coming from Colombia. Given such compelling evidence of spillover, why has a regional, cooperative response been so slow in taking shape? Dr. Gentleman goes right to the heart of the matter: a pattern of competing objectives and inherent tensions."

The Search for Accountability and Transparency in PLAN COLOMBIA: Reforming Judicial Institutions--Again Dr Luz E Nagle Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "This monograph, written by Professor Luz Estella Nagle, is another in the special series to emerge from the February 2001 conference on Plan Colombia that was cosponsored by the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College and The Dante B. Fascell North-South Center of the University of Miami. In it, she stresses what has been defined by President Andrés Pastrana as one of the five strategic issues included in Plan Colombia. Nevertheless, the author argues that the issue of judicial reform deserves long-term attention and a higher priority within the larger context."

European Perceptions of Plan Colombia: A Virtual Contribution to a Virtual War and Peace Plan? Dr Joaquin Roy Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "Professor Roy, a Spaniard with valuable sources throughout Europe, notes that Europeans apparently do not approve of the seeming U.S. emphasis on providing military equipment and training to Colombia for a counternarcotics effort in what they see as a larger strategic political conflict. At the same time, he reports that Europeans are not only concerned with the counternarcotics violence in Colombia, but also with the economic, security, and political spillover effects for neighboring countries."

U.S. Army and the Asia-Pacific Dr Andrew Scobell Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "This monograph highlights the significant and ongoing contribution of the U.S. Army in deterring war, executing smaller-scale contingencies, and shaping the security environment. The author advocates a robust, pro-active Army presence for the foreseeable future. Such a presence will ensure the promotion and protection of U.S. national interests in the region."

Fighting the Hobbesian Trinity in Colombia: A New Strategy for Peace COL Joseph R Nunez Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "In this monograph, one of a special series on Colombia, Colonel Joseph R. Nuñez first analyzes the intervention conundrum of Colombia. He then summarizes the reasons for the violent and anarchic situation that frustrates those wishing to make peace and expand democracy. After introducing what he calls the “Hobbesian trinity,” he then discusses alternatives to intervention and notes the complexity of the human rights challenge."

The Asia-Pacific in the U.S. National Security Calculus for a New Millennium Dr Andrew Scobell, Dr Larry M Wortzel Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "The Asia-Pacific region has become increasingly central to U.S. national security concerns. The drawdown of U.S. forces that began in the mid-1970s has not translated into a decline in U.S. interest or engagement in the Asia-Pacific. The United States continues to have a significant forward presence, steadfast allies, and thriving trade and investment in countries throughout the region."

People's Liberation Army After Next COL Susan M Puska Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "An analytical schism has developed over differing assessments of China’s military modernization. Underlying this debate are at least two key questions. First, will the ongoing China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) modernization provide China with significant offensive power projection and/or preemptive capability? If so, by when? Second, does the pace and success of China’s military modernization constitute a threat to the United States and/or its friends and allies in the Asia-Pacific region?"