[.ca] Armed Conflict: The Lessons of Modern Warfare (ISBN 0891418032)

Vital for all Americans who live in the post 9/11 world:
This book should be required reading for every person who is involved with US foreign policy, US military planning, US politics and who has any interest in being an informed citizen. With laser guided prose focussing on five pivotal battles of the modern era, Steed crafts a directed argument for future policy and preparedness. Contrasting the various types of armed foes with which our forces and country have and will yet contend, Armed Conflict makes a case for clear thinking at the highest level of government with the best training at the ground level of conflict. While America's might has been based in its technology, it is the ability of the front line comander and soldier to execute and conquer that determines the success or failure of any US military mission. The narrative portions are clinically accurate with detailed accounts of the various struggles from the global theater view to the most basic front line battle field views of each conflict. And while careful to state facts and not feeling, it is impossible to come away from this work without feeling sadness at the loss of those who died to protect our freedoms. It is equally impossible to come away without a greater appreciation for the front line soldier and gratitude for the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. Armed Conflict demonstrates the success of our military when properly supported and trained and the devastating results when through arrogance, apathy, or lack of commitment we fail to support our troops to the accomplishment of their mission. Its conclusions are so clearly delineated that this country's future course of action should be crystal clear.

Important to all. A must read for military professionals.:
Post Gulf War military theorists, politicians, and the professional military struggle to define the character of warfare in the 21st Century. As a nation, we attempt to understand lessons learned and the implications of military operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan; this extends to the current potential of conflict in Southwest and Southeast Asia. In his book, Armed Conflict: The Lessons of Modern War, Brian Steed seeks to define the challenges that America will face in future armed conflicts and how the United States armed forces might prepare for them. The public and defense industry remain enamored with and focused on the technological advantage that the United States holds over those countries, rogue states and organizations that might threaten our national security and interests in the future. Recent books and articles on this subject do little to analyze other variables that influence the success and failures of recent military operations. Steed posits that technology alone is not and should not be the centerpiece of our militaries' transformation. In fact, Steed sees what may be an over reliance on technology in preparing for future conflicts as our nations Achilles Heel. With great clarity, Steed lays the foundation for his thesis in introductory chapters by identifying the global variables that have and will continue to influence future conflicts. In following chapters, he conducts five battle analyses spanning almost fifty years of military conflict to highlight what he sees as the more important characteristics that facilitate success in military operations - against a variety of enemies, with varying technological complexions. Steed concludes with a lucid recommendation for a path forward in adapting and transforming our nation's military within the 21st Century landscape. Brian Steed's book provides a fresh look at this multifaceted question. In choosing the correct path, it will undoubtedly require the comment of politicians, the professional military and the citizenry of the United States. Soldier, Citizen, or military theorist, one cannot effectively engage in this conversation without seeking to understand the opinions of this author.