Books

Does Russian Democracy Have a Future? Dr Stephen J Blank, Dr Earl H Tilford Jr Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "Russia's December 1993 elections produced shock, consternation, and surprise at home and abroad. The results highlight reformers' failure to create coherent or stable governmental institutions as specified by Madison, a failure having profound consequences. This analysis of the election's impact upon democratization focuses on his criteria: control of the government, control of the society. To grasp that impact we must also dispel myths that impair our understanding of Russian realities, address ourselves to those realities, and place them in the context of Russia's ongoing political and institutional history."

Whither the RMA: Two Perspectives on Tomorrow's Army COL Raoul Henri Alcala, Dr Paul Bracken Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "In April 1994, the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute hosted its Fifth Annual Strategy Conference. The theme was 'The Revolution in Military Affairs: Defining an Army for the 21st Century.' After fourteen of the nation's leading defense scholars presented papers on the role of technology in warfare, Dr. Paul Bracken and Colonel Raoul Alcala concluded the conference by offering their views of the Army's future. Professor Bracken contends that the Army of the 21st century will be shaped by domestic concerns as much as by external threats to American security. While economic power has increased in importance in international relations, military power as traditionally conceived remains a dominant factor in determining the status of nations. Colonel Alcala holds that there is a connection between ideas and principles. He argues that doctrines will provide the basis for force structure, training, and weapons acquisition. Colonel Alcala maintains that the Army's ability to stay intellectually ahead of the technology will be, perhaps, its greatest challenge in the next century. To contribute to an informed debate about the 21st century Army, the Strategic Studies Institute presents the views of these respected defense intellectuals for your consideration."

Trends in German Defense Policy: The Defense Policy Guidelines and the Centralization of Operational Control Dr Thomas-Durell Young Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, in association with The Royal Institute of International Affairs

America in the Third World: Strategic Alternatives and Military Implications Dr Steven Metz Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "The U.S. Government is very much aware of the current crises afflicting the Third World. All of these severe problems need to be effectively addressed through informed policy decisions. Because of this mandate, policymakers, defense professionals, and strategic thinkers are debating questions about the Third World as they strive to develop appropriate American strategies for the future."

World View: The 1994 Strategic Assessment from the Strategic Studies Institute Dr Steven Metz, Dr Earl H Tilford Jr Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "Each January the regional analysts at the U.S. Army Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) assess global trends that are most likely to determine the state of the world through the next decade. From these assessments study proposals are devised which focus on those issues and trends impacting on the requirements for maintaining America's Army as a strategic force during the coming years. In 1994, the analysts at SSI believe eight major determinants will dominantly influence U.S. interests, national military strategy, and the Army's posture."

Ethnic Conflict: Implications for the Army of the Future Dr Gary L Guertner, Maj Gen William A Stofft Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "Ethnic conflict is an ascendant phenomenon replacing ideology as a social force most likely to promote violence and regional instability. The ferocity of ethnic violence and its potential for escalation increase the political pressures for U.S. leadership and collective engagement. The U.S. Army has a direct interest in ethnic-based conflicts because land power is the dominant means for intervention through coalition peacekeeping and peace-enforcement operations."

Reconciling the irreconcilable: The Troubled Outlook for U.S. Policy toward Haiti Dr Gabriel Marcella, Dr Donald E Schulz Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "This study examines the socioeconomic and political dimensions of the Haitian crisis and the attempts by the United States and the international community to resolve that crisis. The authors assess the prospects for restoring the deposed Haitian president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and the difficulties that will attend any effort to promote sustained political and economic development. Specific criticisms are made of U.S./international community policy, options are evaluated, and recommendations are set forth. Among the major conclusions and recommendations are the following..."

The Mexican Military Approaches the 21st Century: Coping with a New World Order LTC Stephen J Wager Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "In speculating about the future of the Mexican military, a clear understanding of that institution's past can prove invaluable. As is the case with most institutions, the role of the military will evolve in some form from the missions it has performed in the past. The history of the army in the 20th century, like that of the nation in general, has centered first and foremost on the Mexican Revolution, which ravaged the country for 10 years (1910-20) and cost the lives of close to two million people. The army played a critical role in both the revolution and its outcome. It forged most of the political institutions that subsequently emerged and that provided Mexico with the relative economic and political stability that the nation has enjoyed since the 1920s."

Where Does Cuba Stand? Prof Enrique A Baloyra Book by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "The crisis of the Cuban revolution has once again raised a number of security issues for the United States, along with important questions about the effectiveness and wisdom of the three- decade-old U.S. policy of containment and punishment. Many observers believe that the Castro regime is in its final hour, and that its passing may be accompanied by massive bloodshed and a new wave of refugees to southern Florida."