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Contemporary Military Theory: The dynamics of war
by Jan Angstrom J.J. WidenThe book aims to provide the reader with a state-of-the-art introduction to classic and modern military theory. The text accounts for the most important theories within the field by developing and analyzing these theories, as well as problematizing both their normative and explanatory aims. While focusing on military theory, the book does not only reflect a single way of relating to knowledge of war and warfare, but furthers learning by introducing contrasting perspectives as well as constantly criticizing the theories. There is a clear need for an introductory text for the entire field of military theory that focuses whole-heartedly on the theories – not on their context or how they are expressed in practice during war. This book covers such questions as how we should understand the changing character of war, the utility of force and how the pursuit of political ends is achieved through military means. It draws upon and illustrates military thought through a wide-ranging number of examples from the Napoleonic Wars to the current war in Afghanistan. This book will be of great interest for students of military theory, strategic studies, security studies and defence studies.
Contemporary Piracy and Maritime Terrorism: The Threat to International Security (Adelphi series)
by Martin N. MurphyDo piracy and maritime terrorism, individually or together, present a threat to international security, and what relationship if any exists between them? Piracy may be a marginal problem in itself, but the connections between organised piracy and wider criminal networks and corruption on land make it an element of a phenomenon that can have a weakening effect on states and a destabilising one on the regions in which it is found. Furthermore, it is also an aspect of a broader problem of disorder at sea that, exacerbated by the increasing pressure on littoral waters from growing numbers of people and organisations seeking to exploit maritime resources, encourages maritime criminality and gives insurgents and terrorists the freedom to operate. In this context, maritime terrorism, though currently only a low-level threat, has the potential to spread and become more effective in the event of political change on land. It is only by addressing the issue of generalised maritime disorder that the problems of piracy and maritime terrorism may be controlled in the long term.
Contemporary Soviet Military Affairs: The Legacy of World War II (Routledge Library Editions: Cold War Security Studies #15)
by Jonathan R. Adelman; Cristann Lea GibsonThis book, first published in 1989, is a comprehensive examination of the profound impact of World War II on Soviet military affairs. It systematically assesses the costs and lessons of the war and their substantial impact on Soviet military and Party leaders in the Cold War era and particularly in the 1980s. Starting with the experiences of the war and its influence on the development of Soviet military thinking, the book addresses the relationship between the military and the Soviet political system, threat perception, decision making, and crisis and risk assessment. Also discussed are the war’s influence on the structure and operations of the military in the 1980s, focusing on doctrine, conventional forces, the defence industry and historiography.
Contemporary State Terrorism: Theory and Practice (Routledge Critical Terrorism Studies)
by Richard Murphy Jackson Scott Poynting EamonThis volume aims to ‘bring the state back into terrorism studies’ and fill the notable gap that currently exists in our understanding of the ways in which states employ terrorism as a political strategy of internal governance or foreign policy. Within this broader context, the volume has a number of specific aims. First, it aims to make the argument that state terrorism is a valid and analytically useful concept which can do much to illuminate our understanding of state repression and governance, and illustrate the varieties of actors, modalities, aims, forms, and outcomes of this form of contemporary political violence. Secondly, by discussing a rich and diverse set of empirical case studies of contemporary state terrorism this volume explores and tests theoretical notions, generates new questions and provides a resource for further research. Thirdly, it contributes to a critical-normative approach to the study of terrorism more broadly and challenges dominant approaches and perspectives which assume that states, particularly Western states, are primarily victims and not perpetrators of terrorism. Given the scarceness of current and past research on state terrorism, this volume will make a genuine contribution to the wider field, particularly in terms of ongoing efforts to generate more critical approaches to the study of political terrorism. This book will be of much interest to students of critical terrorism studies, critical security studies, terrorism and political violence and political theory in general. Richard Jackson is Reader in International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He is the founding editor of the Routledge journal, Critical Studies on Terrorism and the convenor of the BISA Critical Studies on Terrorism Working Group (CSTWG). Eamon Murphy is Professor of History and International Relations at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia. Scott Poynting is Professor in Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Contemporary Strategy: Theories and Policies (Routledge Library Editions: Cold War Security Studies #16)
by Phil Williams Ken Booth John Baylis John GarnettThis book, first published in 1975, is a comprehensive examination of specialised strategic studies, and deals with the theoretical and policy aspects of the topic. It argues that military power is an intrinsic part of the international system, with strategy being the means by which military power may be used to achieve political objectives. Hence, given the destructiveness of modern weapons it is the prime aim of the strategic doctrines of the major powers not to wage war, but to use their military potential to further their interests by less catastrophic means. However, outside the Cold War superpower confrontation, strategy exhibits many of its traditional aspects. This book analyses both types of strategy variations.
Contemporary Studies on Modern Chinese History II (China Perspectives)
by Zeng YeyingThe study of modern Chinese history has developed rapidly in recent decades and has seen increased exploration of new topics and innovative approaches. Resulting from a special issue of Modern Chinese History Studies, this volume is devoted to showcasing the healthy development of Chinese modern history studies, and has already been revised twice in the original language. This volume exhibits major achievements on the study of modern Chinese history and shows how the role of history was in debate, transformation and re-evaluation throughout this tortuous yet prosperous period. Articles on seven different topics are collected from over ten prominent historians in order to represent their insights on the developmental paths of Chinese historical studies. Drawing on a large number of case studies of critical historical events, such as imperial China and the Chinese Workers’ Movement, this volume sets out to explore topics such as the history of Sino-foreign relations as well as the history of workers’ movements and youth movements. This book will be a valuable reference for scholars and students of Chinese history.
Contemptible [Illustrated Edition]
by Anon “casualty”Includes the First World War Illustrations Pack - 73 battle plans and diagrams and 198 photos"An 'Old Contemptible' recounts the campaign of 1914.At the outbreak of the First World War, units of the British regular army-the B. E. F-were despatched to the continent to assist the French in an attempt to stem the tide of the advancing Imperial German Army as it marched inexorably towards Paris. The enemy viewed the 'Tommies' as 'that contemptible little army.' In that way peculiar to the British the insult became a byword for courage and honour as the highly trained and motivated soldiers in khaki demonstrated just what a contemptible little army could do. However, this was a war of attrition and despite the 'contemptibles' magnificent performance the 'grey horde' could not initially be halted. What followed was the memorable retreat from Mons. The author of this book was a subaltern officer serving in one of the county regiments of the B. E. F and chose as his title for this book the proudly worn designation 'Contemptible.' Although the book was written under a pseudonym it is widely believed that the writer was Arnold Gyde who served with the South Staffordshire Regiment and was one of the first British soldiers to set foot on the continent. Although the account of this vital aspect of the opening months of the conflict is presented in a 'factional' style it is clearly based on the author's first hand experiences." -Print Ed.
Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia
by Brian D. McKnightA “compelling” study of impact of the Civil War in Appalachia that “adeptly juggles the military, social, and political complexities of this border war” (American Historical Review).During the four years of the Civil War, the border between eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia was highly contested territory, alternately occupied by both the Confederacy and the Union. Though sparsely populated, the geography of the region made it a desirable stronghold for future tactical maneuvers. In Contested Borderland , Brian D. McKnight’s unprecedented geographical analysis of military tactics and civilian involvement provides a new and valuable dimension to the story of a region facing the turmoil of war.Winner of the James I. Robertson Literary Prize“A very valuable study.” —Appalachian Journal“Engaging and eminently readable. . . . A compelling account of an isolated world turned upside down by a war fought over issues few of its residents understood or cared much about.” —Civil War Times“A revealing and richly diverse account of the war in this too-neglected pocket of the South.” —Daniel E. Sutherland, editor of Guerrillas, Unionists, and Violence on the Confederate Home Front“Recommend[ed] for all serious Civil War scholars and enthusiasts.” —Journal of American History“McKnight’s work has much to offer in covering the war in the Central Appalachian Divide.” —Journal of East Tennessee History“An enjoyable and informational read.” —Journal of Military History“Essential for all Appalachian regional and Civil War collections.” —Journal of Southern History“The author’s analysis of military tactics, political realities, and genuine hardship, is first rate.” —West Virginia History
Contested Commemorations
by Benjamin ZiemannThis innovative study of remembrance in Weimar Germany analyses how experiences and memories of the Great War were transformed along political lines after 1918. Examining the symbolism, language and performative power of public commemoration, Benjamin Ziemann reveals how individual recollections fed into the public narrative of the experience of war. Challenging conventional wisdom that nationalist narratives dominated commemoration, this book demonstrates that Social Democrat war veterans participated in the commemoration of the war at all levels: supporting the 'no more war' movement, mourning the fallen at war memorials and demanding a politics of international solidarity. It describes how the moderate Socialist Left related the legitimacy of the Republic to their experiences in the Imperial army and acknowledged the military defeat of 1918 as a moment of liberation. This is the first comprehensive analysis of war remembrances in post-war Germany and a radical reassessment of the democratic potential of the Weimar Republic.
Contested Territories and International Law: A Comparative Study of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Aland Islands Precedent
by Kamal Makili-AliyevThis book considers the possibilities for resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in the context of comparative international law. The armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh has been on the peace and security agenda since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This volume draws parallels with a similar situation between Sweden and Finland over sovereignty of the Aland Islands in the early 20th century. Resolved in 1921, it is argued that this represents a model autonomy solution for territorial conflicts that include questions of territorial integrity, self-determination and minority rights. The book compares both conflict situations from the international law perspective, finding both commonalities and dissimilarities. It advances the application of the solution found in the Aland Islands precedent as a model for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, and provides appropriate recommendations for its implementation. The book will be of interest to academics, researchers and policymakers in the areas of international law and security, conflict resolution and international relations.
Contesting the Origins of the First World War: An Historiographical Argument (Routledge Studies in Modern History)
by Troy R PaddockContesting the Origins of the First World War challenges the Anglophone emphasis on Germany as bearing the primary responsibility in causing the conflict and instead builds upon new perspectives to reconsider the roles of the other Great Powers. Using the work of Terrance Zuber, Sean McMeekin, and Stefan Schmidt as building blocks, this book reassesses the origins of the First World War and offers an explanation as to why this reassessment did not come about earlier. Troy R.E. Paddock argues that historians need to redraw the historiographical map that has charted the origins of the war. His analysis creates a more balanced view of German actions by also noting the actions and inaction of other nations. Recent works about the roles of the five Great Powers involved in the events leading up to the war are considered, and Paddock concludes that Germany does not bear the primary responsibility. This book provides a unique historiographical analysis of key texts published on the origins of the First World War, and its narrative encourages students to engage with and challenge historical perspectives.
Context and Circumstance: The Turkish Military and Politics (Adelphi series #337)
by Gareth JenkinsDebates about military influence on civilian government tend to be partisan and rarely pay sufficient attention to specific contexts. This paper analyses, without condemnation or justification, why and how the military exercises such influence in Turkey and whether it is likely to continue to do so. It argues that the role of the military in Turkey grows out of a specific Turkish context and is more a symptom than a cause of the country's flawed democracy. It examines the Turkish officer ethos, particularly the role of the indigenous ideology of Kemalism, and the broad, though not universal, public mandate for an interventionist role in politics. It contends that the military's influence is neither uniform nor total and that it is more effective at blocking than initiating policy; thus creating a system in which civilian authority is primary rather than supreme. It analyses the mechanisms through which the military attempts to shape policy, and demonstrates how its influence depends more on its informal authority than legislated rights or responsibilities. The paper suggests that fears of threats to national security resulting from the reforms required for EU accession have made the military more, not less, reluctant to withdraw from the political arena. It concludes that, regardless of the future of Turkey's candidacy, such a withdrawal will be a slow and gradual process, dependent more on changes in Turkish social and political culture and the perceived security environment than in the military itself.
Contiguity, Connectivity and Access: The Importance of the Bay of Bengal Region in Indian Foreign Policy
by Anita Sengupta Suranjan DasThis volume examines themes like contemporary factors shaping the emergence of the Bay of Bengal region as a critical strategic theatre in Indian foreign policy; the inter-connectedness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans; the importance of oceans to security and commerce and India’s role within the broader region; the twenty-first century maritime Silk Road and Indian alternatives and the possibilities of reconnecting disconnected spaces through re-imagining a Bay of Bengal Community. In this connection the volume takes particular note of the emerging regional cooperative order for the promotion of peace and development in the Bay of Bengal region (BIMSTEC). The volume brings together historians, political analysts and political economists to emphasize the interconnectedness of the oceanic space through a detailed analysis of the Bay of Bengal as a space of strategic and economic significance, particularly for India, but also as a space for re-imagining a new regional community. Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan).
Continental Defense in the Eisenhower Era: Nuclear Antiaircraft Arms and the Cold War (Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology)
by Christopher J. BrightThis book traces the Eisenhower administration's enthusiastic pursuit of the profoundly destabilizing technology of nuclear weapons, and its significance for the course of the Cold War.
Continental Films: French Cinema under German Control (Wisconsin Film Studies)
by Christine LeteuxFrom 1940 to 1944, the German-owned Continental Films dominated the French film landscape, producing thirty features throughout the Nazi occupation. Charged with producing entertaining and profitable films rather than propaganda, producer Alfred Greven employed some of the greatest French actors and most prestigious directors of the time, including Maurice Tourneur, Henri Decoin, Henri-Georges Clouzot, and Marcel Carné. Using recently opened archival documents, including reams of testimony from the épuration (purification) hearings conducted shortly after the war, Christine Leteux has produced the most authoritative and complete history of the company and its impact on the French film industry—both during the war and after. She captures the wide range of responses to the firm from those who were eager to work for a company whose ideology matched their own, to others who reluctantly accepted contracts out of necessity, to those who abhorred the company but felt compelled to participate in order to protect family members from Nazi reprisals. She examines not only the formation and management of Continental Films but also the personalities involved, the fraught and often deadly political circumstances of the period, the critical reception of the films, and many of the more notorious and controversial events. As Bertrand Tavernier explains in his foreword, Leteux overturns many of the preconceptions and clichés that have come to be associated with Continental Films. Published to rave reviews in French and translated by the author into English, this work shatters expectations and will reinvigorate study of a lesser-known but significant period of French film history.
Continental vs Redcoat: American Revolutionary War
by Johnny Shumate David BonkIn June 1775 the Continental Congress, leading the American rebellion against the British Crown, created the Continental Army to serve in the line of battle alongside militia and "Provincial" units. Although supply problems, issues with discipline, and poor training hampered the Continentals' effectiveness in combat, they were able to inflict a decisive defeat on the British at Yorktown. In contrast, the backbone of the British forces in North America were long-service regular infantrymen, serving for the most part in single-battalion regiments. They had earned a formidable reputation on Europe's battlefields during the Seven Years' War, but in fighting the French in North America during that conflict had already learned a great deal about the very different fighting conditions prevalent in the New World.In a host of encounters ranging from skirmishes to decisive pitched battles, the infantrymen of both sides would be tested to the limit, with supply problems, hostile terrain, and poor weather all adding to the horrors of close-quarter combat. Featuring full-color artwork, specially drawn maps, and archive illustrations, this engaging study offers key insights into the tactics, leadership, combat performance, and subsequent reputations of six representative Continental and Redcoat infantry regiments pitched into three pivotal actions that shaped the outcome of the American Revolutionary War.
Continuity and Change in Israeli Security Policy (Adelphi series #No.335)
by Mark A. HellerHow should Israel respond to the changing external threats that confront it? This paper argues that the country's traditional security concept is obsolete and must be reformulated. How this is achieved depends on developments within the Middle East and on the outcome of current shifts in Israel's politics and society.
Continuity and Change in Medieval East Central Europe: Social, Ruling and Religious Transformations (Studies in Medieval History and Culture)
by Dušan ZupkaContinuity and Change in Medieval East Central Europe explores the crucial societal, political, and cultural dynamics that defined medieval East Central Europe during the early and high Middle Ages. Focusing on the historical regions of Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania, the book provides a comprehensive and comparative analysis of this transformative historical period. It gathers the latest perspectives from leading experts, offering nuanced insights into the interactions between power, religion, and social structures.Featuring original chapters from an interdisciplinary team of contributors, this volume delves into specific aspects of medieval East Central Europe. It examines the "dark ages" around 900 AD, the territorial organization of the Piast monarchies, and the evolution of rulership in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Other topics include the changing social status of royal servants in Hungary, the role of church and state in societal changes, and the unique concept of twin cathedrals in ecclesiastical architecture. By providing comparative assessments, the book highlights the complex relationship between continuity and change, offering fresh perspectives on the political and cultural transformations that influenced the region's development.Intended for historians and archaeologists interested in medieval societal changes, this volume is also essential for students in history, archaeology, and art history. By presenting cutting-edge research from various language areas and historical schools, the book makes advanced scholarship accessible to English-speaking readers. It serves the Anglophone academic market and engages experts and students within East Central Europe, offering a critical resource for understanding the medieval period's enduring impact on contemporary societies.
Contra File
by Dale A. DyeMarine Gunner Shake Davis, his best buddy Mike, and their families are in a semi-tropical paradise fishing and soaking up the sun. The vacation in Belize is apparently a freebie, a relaxing interlude funded by persons unknown. And it provides a chance to reunite with some friends from the Middle East who have been reassigned to Central American missions. Of course, nothing in Shake's life is ever as simple as it seems--and before long they are shanghai'ed into another high-stakes intrigue. This time it involves gang-bangers running drugs by land and sea through covert pipelines into Mexico and eventually into the U.S. As they investigate, operating under cover for the mysterious man who calls himself Bayer, they slog through the jungle with Gurkha troops, operate at sea against dopers using submersibles, and discover the tragedy of human-trafficking that runs rampant in parts of Central America.
Contra todo enemigo
by Tom Clancy Peter TelepEl autor de best sellers #1 del New York Times y de la exitosa novela Vivo o muerto “es el rey supremo del popular género de suspenso”.* Ahora, en una historia que va desde los remotos paisajes del Medio Oriente marcados por la guerra hasta el caos sangriento en la frontera de los Estado Unidos con México, Tom Clancy ofrece una novela alucinante que es alarmantemente parecida a la realidad. El ex-SEAL de la Armada Maxwell Moore—quien trabaja encubierto para la División de Actividades Especiales de la CIA—llega a una cita para hacerse cargo de un prisionero talibán de alto rango. Pero la reunión de un giro terrible que ni Moore ni ninguno de sus jefes veía venir. Sin dejarse intimidar, no teniendo el fracaso como opción, Moore continúa su búsqueda de la verdad, dejando muchos muertos a su paso…asesinados por aquellos para quienes el secreto es la mayor de las armas.Luego llega una revelación impactante: Dos de las mayores amenazas para la seguridad de los Estados Unidos han foriado una alianza nefasta. Después de años de planificación, los talibanes han llegado a un acuerdo con un despiadado cartel de drogas mexicano par el que suministrarán opio. Para el cartel, es una cuestión de dinero, poder y control absoluto del tráfico de drogas. Pero para los talibanes es una oportunidad largamente esperada: explotar los carteles a llevar el fuego de la yihad al corazón de los infieles.*Publishers Weekly
Contraataque
by Carolina Estrada Castillo Paul AndrulisLa batalla ha durado años, con cada bando ganando tanto fuerza como potencia. Bill debe pelear contra los humanos alienígenas en el campo de batatalla y ganar, o morir en el intento. Antiguos aliados se han convertido en enemigos y la confianza se ha perdido. Justo cuando amenazas más letales que nunca surgen. ¿Puede Bill tener la esperanza de sobrevivir o la humanidad perderá la guerra?
Contraband from Otherspace
by A. Bertram ChandlerA deadly cargo that threatens to sheer through the fabric of reality, like a knife through soft butter.
Contraband from Otherspace (John Grimes)
by A. Bertram ChandlerA deadly cargo that threatens to sheer through the fabric of reality, like a knife through soft butter.
Contract Warriors
by Fred Rosen Bob BurtonFrom Biblical times and the Crusades through the American Revolution up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, mercenaries—professional soldiers who contract themselves out to the highest bidder—have played a vital role in most, if not all, military and paramilitary campaigns, helping to determine the victors and the vanquished. Contract Warriors reveals their compelling story for the first time.
Contract Workers, Risk, and the War in Iraq: Sierra Leonean Labor Migrants at US Military Bases (Human Dimensions in Foreign Policy, Military Studies, and Security Studies)
by Kevin J.A. ThomasIn 2003, just before the start of the US invasion of Iraq, military planners predicted that the mission’s success would depend on using diverse sources for their workforce. While thousands of US troops were needed to secure victory in the field, large numbers of civilian contractors – many from poor countries in Africa and Asia – were recruited to provide a range of services for the occupying forces. In Contract Workers, Risk, and the War in Iraq Kevin Thomas provides a compelling account of the recruitment of Sierra Leonean workers and their reasons for embracing the risks of migration. In recent years US military bases have outsourced contracts for services to private military corporations who recruit and capitalize on cheaper low-skilled workers. Thomas argues that for people from post-conflict countries such as Sierra Leone, where there are high levels of poverty and acute unemployment, the opportunity to improve their situation outweighs the risk of migration to war-torn Iraq. Examining migrants’ experiences in their native country, at US bases, and after their return to Sierra Leone, Thomas deftly explores the intricate dynamics of risk, sets up a theoretical framework for future researchers, and offers policy recommendations for decision-makers and practitioners in the field. Incorporating the voices of Sierra Leonean contractors who were manipulated and exploited, Contract Workers, Risk, and the War in Iraq turns the spotlight on a subject that has remained on the periphery of history and reveals an unexpected consequence of the War on Terror.