Learning the Lessons of Modern War

Description

Learning the Lessons of Modern War uses the study of the recent past to illuminate the future. More specifically, it examines the lessons of recent wars as a way of understanding continuity and change in the character and conduct of war. The volume brings together contributions from a group of well-known scholars and practitioners from across the world to examine the conduct of recent wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. The book's first section consists of chapters that explore the value of a contemporary approach to history and reflect on the value of learning lessons from the past. Its second section focuses on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chapters on Iraq discuss the lessons of the Iraq War, the British perspective on the conflict, and the war as seen through the lens of Saddam Hussein's military. Chapters on Afghanistan discuss counterinsurgency operations during the war, Britain's experience in Afghanistan, raising and training Afghan forces, and U.S. interagency performance. The book's third section examines the lessons of wars involving Russia, Israel, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Georgia, and Colombia. It concludes by exploring overarching themes associated with the conduct of recent wars. Containing a foreword by former National Security Advisor Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, Learning the Lessons of Modern War is an indispensable resource for international relations and security studies scholars, policymakers, and military professionals. Cover Contents Acknowledgments Contributors Foreword Introduction PART I: Learning Lessons from History 1 Learning Lessons: The Value of a Contemporary Approach to History 2 Thoughts on Lessons Learned in the Past PART II: Iraq and Afghanistan 3 Lessons of the Iraq War 4 Operation Iraqi Freedom: Key Lessons from the British Experience 5 An Iraqi Military Perspective on the Invasion of 2003 6 Afghanistan and the Crisis of Counterinsurgency, 2001–2014 7 Britain’s War in Afghanistan, 2001–2014 8 Raising and Mentoring Security Forces in Afghanistan 9 The Accidental Counterinsurgents: U.S. Performance in Afghanistan PART III: Lessons of Other Wars 10 Lessons of Modern War: A Case Study of the Sri Lankan War 11 Operation Enduring Freedom—Philippines: Lessons Learned from a Special Warfare Approach to Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency 12 Lessons from the War in Georgia 13 Russian Military Doctrine and Exercises 14 Operation Cast Lead: “From Light Duty to Heavy Duty” 15 An Incomplete Success: Security Assistance in Colombia Conclusion Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z