Understanding Contemporary Strategy

Understanding Contemporary Strategy provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of modern strategy.

Covering all the main issues in the field, the book explores the major themes through a combination of classical and modern strategic theory, history and current practice. The book is split into three main sections:

• Definition and Context : including discussion of the human, technological, intelligence, ethical and grand-strategic dimensions
• Strategy in the Geographic Environments: land, sea, air and space
• Contemporary Strategic Challenges: terrorism, insurgency and nuclear strategy.

Each chapter presents the reader with a succinct summary of the topic, but also provides a challenging analysis of current issues, supporting students with pedagogical features such as suggested further reading, boxed case studies and study questions.

This book will be essential reading for upper-level students of strategic studies, war studies, military history and international security.

Thomas M. Kane is Lecturer in international politics at the University of Hull. He specialises in the art of strategy, with a particular interest in its application in China. Relevant publications include Ancient China on Postmodern War (2007), Chinese Grand Strategy and Maritime Power (2005) and Military Logistics and Strategic Performance (2002).

David J. Lonsdale is Lecturer in strategic studies at the University of Hull. He specialises in strategic theory and its application to historical and contemporary settings. His recent publications include Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy (2007) and The Nature of War in the Information Age (2004).