This book uses several fantasy movies or movie series and television series to explain political and international relations (IR) concepts and theories. It begins with an overview of the importance of fantasy in literature, film and television, and its increasing impact on the field of International Relations. It then presents the political, IR, and social issues in each franchise, and in five chapters uses these tales' key story arcs or plot points to illustrate major political and IR themes. The volume pays particular attention to such fantasy franchises as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the Harry Potter films, recent fairytale and children's stories, and female-led fantasy projects.

One aspect of war is often overlooked: how much do they cost and how are they funded. Funding Extended Conflicts develops a baseline on Federal spending for the two extended conflicts of the Cold War era, Korea and Vietnam, and compares them with the global war on terror, including current outlays for Iraq and Afghanistan. It also provides wartime cases that offer recommendations on how to pay for future wars and focuses on the length of the tails of such spending, which are often omitted in the final analyses and distort funding estimates. Background chapters examine financing and budget issues as well as problems associated with defining the real cost of Korea, Vietnam, and the so-called long war against terrorism and are complemented by an assessment of the open-ended commitment to support homeland defense and conduct ongoing military operations in Southwest Asia. One aspect of war is often overlooked: how much do they cost and how are they funded. Funding Extended Conflicts develops a baseline on Federal spending for the two extended conflicts of the Cold War era, Korea and Vietnam, and compares them with the global war on terror, including current outlays for Iraq and Afghanistan. It also provides wartime cases that offer recommendations on how to pay for future wars and focuses on the length of the tails of such spending, which are often omitted in the final analyses and distort funding estimates. Background chapters examine financing and budget issues as well as problems associated with defining the real cost of Korea, Vietnam, and the so-called long war against terrorism and are complemented by an assessment of the open-ended commitment to support homeland defense and conduct ongoing military operations in Southwest Asia.

From the preface: "This text is designed to explain and synthesize the functioning and relationships of numerous Defense, Joint, and Army organizations, systems, and processes involved in the development and sustainment of trained and ready forces for the Combatant Commanders. It is designed to be used by the faculty and students at the U.S. Army War College (as well as other training and educational institutions) as they improve their knowledge and understanding of "How the Army Runs." We are proud of the value that senior commanders and staffs have placed in this text over the years and are pleased to continue to provide this reference. The text is revised every two years as we strive to capture the most up-to-date information available. This involves the synthesis of a wide array of published and unpublished references from a variety of sources. Necessarily, there is a point in time at which updates must stop. This volume contains our best description of the systems, processes, and organizations as of March 2013. From the foreword: "You need this handbook. If there was ever a time when leaders and staffs - military and civilian - needed a guide to understand our systems and process it is right now. Having been in a continuous state of conflict for the past 12 years and entering a history-impacting era of scarcity, you must use this reference to be an effective steward of our profession. This updated volume, the 29th Edition of How the Army Runs; A Senior Leader Reference Handbook, 2013.2014, is exceptionally relevant. Leaders who understand and can use the systems and processes documented and explained in this work will be able to keep the United States Army the best fighting force in the world, even in the face of uncertainty and declining resources. Most of us were raised in this profession to find the best terrain - the key terrain - and then seize it or control it. Teammates and fellow leaders, this document, the intellectual understanding of how the Army runs, is key terrain for service at the senior leadership level."

Powell B. Brown enlisted in the Marine Corps as a young man and went on to serve in combat units during World War II, the Korean War, and in Vietnam. In these memoirs, Brown recalls his burning desire to serve his country and the adventures he has along the way. He tells the story of his life as a new recruit, in the mess hall, and then being sent out to sea. Not everything is as he expects, but he learns quickly. Though he participates in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II and later joins in the fight against communism, Brown survives and thrives as a Marine-earning numerous medals for his bravery in combat. Join Brown as he remembers a wide variety of escapades and duty assignments, including his time spent as a drill instructor, a recruiter, and even as a teacher at a Marine Corps school. This was all in addition to his regular duty in the Amphibious Tractor Battalion. The story told in Memories of a United States Marine reveals important historical information as well as what it truly means to serve with honor.