Strategic Studies Institute

Military Strategy and Policy Studies

Added November 01, 2006

Type: Letort Papers

Alliances and American National Security. Authored by Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

In this era of American predominance, alliances are more compelling than ever. The United States needs allies to generate capabilities that amplify its power, create a basis of legitimacy for the exercise of its power, avert impulses to counterbalance its power, and steer partners away from strategic apathy or excessive self-reliance.

Added September 06, 2006

Type: Op-Ed

"What If?" -- A Most Impertinent Question Indeed. Authored by Mr. Nathan P. Freier.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the September 2006 newsletter.

Added July 17, 2006

Type: Monograph

2006 Key Strategic Issues List (KSIL). Edited by Dr. Antulio J. Echevarria, II.

In today’s dynamic strategic environment, political changes can become challenges very quickly. Any list of key strategic issues must, therefore, include the broadest array of regional and functional concerns. This is a catalogue of significant issues, arranged as potential research topics, of concern to U.S. policymakers. As such, the KSIL is a ready source of topics that members of the defense community and academia can use to focus their research efforts.

Added July 07, 2006

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Friction in U.S. Foreign Policy: Cultural Difficulties with the World. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew W. Stewart.

The United States is so culturally blind by virtue of its successful “New World” experience of assimilating foreign cultures that it is unable to recognize the possibility that there are viable competing ideologies to American ideals for the world, including the Islamic world, China, and Latin America. If the United States were more “street smart” on the world scene, it could better identify nuanced subtleties and better leverage allies, who, in turn, are better positioned to further American ideals abroad.

Added June 16, 2006

Type: Book

U.S. Army War College Guide to National Security Policy and Strategy, 2nd Edition. Edited by Dr. J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr.

This edition of the U. S. Army War College Guide to National Security Policy and Strategy reflects both the method and manner the college uses to teach strategy formulation to America’s future senior leaders. It contains essays on the general security environment, strategic thought and formulation, the elements of national power, the national security policymaking process in the United States, and selected strategic issues.

Added May 31, 2006

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Addicted to Oil: Strategic Implications of American Oil Policy. Authored by Commander Thomas D. Kraemer.

In his 2006 State of the Union address, President Bush proclaimed that "America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world." The plan he then proposed is step one in weaning America from its addiction, and is a necessary but not fully sufficient step to ensuring our future national security through Middle East Oil independence.

Added May 23, 2006

Type: Letort Papers

Strategic Planning by the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1990 TO 2005. Authored by Dr. Richard M. Meinhart.

This Letort Paper addresses how the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1990 to 2005 used a strategic planning system to respond to their global challenges.

Added April 21, 2006

Type: Monograph

Preventive War and Its Alternatives: The Lessons of History. Authored by Dr. Dan Reiter.

The author explores the effectiveness and risks of preventive attacks intended to combat the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, as compared to other nonproliferation policy options. He concludes that preventive attacks are generally less effective, more dangerous, and more costly than other nonproliferation policy options.

Added February 01, 2006

Type: Monograph

Strategic Theory for the 21st Century: The Little Book on Big Strategy. Authored by Dr. Harry R Yarger.

Strategy is often used as a general term for a plan, a concept, a course of action, or a "vision" of the direction in which to proceed at the personal, organizational, and governmental—local, state, or federal—levels. Such casual use of the term reduces strategy to just a good idea without the necessary underlying thought or development. What is the true meaning of strategy?