US Defence Strategy from Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom

‘This book offers a very thoughtful and sophisticated analysis of the processes and prospects of defense transformation. Drawing on the experience of the Cold War and the aftermath of the Vietnam war, it brings the reader right up to the current debates about "revolutions in military affairs" and the Bush Doctrine on preemption.’ Professor George Quester, University of Maryland‘Essential reading in order to understand, from a military, technological and geopolitical perspective, the dramatic transformation on US defense posture from the end of World War II to the present "war on terrorism".’ Jacques S. Gansler, Vice President Research, University of Maryland, former Under Secretary of Defense (1997-2001)‘If you really want to understand what has happened to the U.S armed forces since Vietnam, read this book.’ Professor Martin Van Creveld'Combining a scholarly background with real world experience, Robert Tomes is one of the bright young national security analysts who will shape the foreign and security policies of the Unites States in the coming decades. US Defence Strategy from Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom will establish him as a leading expert on military transformation. This conceptually grounded book provides historical account of the thirty year journey toward the modern U.S. military that is fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and hotspots around the globe.' Dr Peter Dombrowski, Chair, Strategic Research Department, US Naval War College

• 1. Military Innovation and Defense Transformation 2. On Military Innovation 3. Toward the Narrative of U.S. Nuclear Strategy 4. The Formative Period: Evolving Strategic Realities 5. The Maturation Period: New Measures of Strategic Effectiveness 6. Back to the Future? From RMA Thesis to Transformation Planning 7. Conclusion