Sources of Conflict in the 21st Century: Strategic Flashpoints and U.S. Strategy - Softcover

Khalilzad, Zalmay

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0833025295 ISBN 13: 9780833025296

Publisher: RAND Corporation, 1998

Synopsis

How will the world change in the next century?

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The problem of global, long-range defense planning has changed enormously since the end of the Cold War. The sources and types of conflict for which the military must plan have become more varied and less predictable, the range of potential adversaries is larger, the range of military missions is more diverse, and the nature of security itself is changing on a global basis.

As the millenium approaches, defense analysts begin to wonder how many of todays leading adversaries will remain adversaries. Will longstanding allies change their orientation? Who will be called on to intervene, and where? Can we expect stability, or chaos?

This book examines current political trends and potential sources of conflict in three critical regionsAsia, the Greater Middle East, and Europe and the former Soviet Unionthrough the year 2025. The authors describe possible alternative strategic worlds, including a projection of todays mixed political climate, a more benign world in which the great powers are at peace and are actively cooperative, and a world beset with economic, demographic, and political turmoil. Additional chapters provide a detailed discussion of regional trends and their meaning for strategy and planning. Through thoughtful analysis of current trends and the careful projection of the political-military climate of the future, defense planners will be better equipped to take on the challenges of the 21st century.

About the Author:

Zalmay Khalilzad (Ph.D., Political Science, University of Chicago) was formerly the leader of Project Air Force's Strategy and Doctrine Program at RAND. He was assistant undersecretary of defense for policy planning during the Bush administration. Khalilzad joined the White House staff on Monday, May 14, 2001, as special assistant to the president and senior director at the National Security Council.

IAN O. LESSER (D. Phil., International Politics, St. Antony's College, OxfordUniversity) is a Senior International Policy Analyst at RAND whose areas of expertise include U.S. foreign policy and strategic planning, NATO and Mediterranean affairs, grand strategy and economic security, and international terrorism.

About this edition

• Publisher: RAND Corporation
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0833025295
• ISBN 13: 9780833025296
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 349