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The cover of The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World

The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World

Rupert Smith

If war between national armies has ended, what is force good for in the confrontations that remain, and how should it be used?

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At a glance

Author
Rupert Smith

Why read it

  • You will see why the old picture of war as battles between states no longer fits today's conflicts
  • You will learn to ask what purpose force is meant to serve before you commit to using it
  • You will learn to treat change as an ongoing condition, not a single reform to be completed

Who it is for

  • A leader facing a long, unclear struggle with no clean win
  • A news reader puzzled why modern wars drag on
  • A student of strategy or the military

Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Introduction: Understanding Force
  3. PART ONE
  4. Interstate Industrial War
  5. 1 Foundation: From Napoleon to Clausewitz
  6. 2 Development: Iron, Steam and Mass
  7. 3 Culmination: The World Wars
  8. PART TWO
  9. The Cold War Confrontation
  10. 4 Antithesis: From Guerrillas to Anarchists to Mao
  11. 5 Confrontation and Conflict: A New Purpose for the Use of Force
  12. 6 Capabilities: The Search for a New Way
  13. PART THREE
  14. War Amongst the People
  15. 7 Trends: Our Modern Operations
  16. 8 Direction: Setting the Purpose for the Use of Force
  17. 9 Bosnia: Using Force Amongst the People
  18. Conclusion: What Is to Be Done?

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