The reality of the Arab-Israeli balance now consists of two subordinate balances: Israel versus Syria and Israel versus the Palestinians. The book analyzes these two balances in detail and their impact on defense planning in each country and on the overall strategic risk to the region as a whole. It covers military developments in each of six states-Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine-and provides an analytical view with charts and tables of how the changing natures of the military and political threats faced by each is impacting its military force readiness and development. The book has the most comprehensive data on past, current, and future military force structure currently available, drawn from the widest range of sources. Responding to the most recent of events in the region, this book is the first to deal with the effects on the Arab-Israeli military balance of the strategic uncertainty created by the Iraqi insurgency and the Iranian nuclear program. It also studies how the Gaza pullout, the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, the changing political landscape in Israel, and the threat of nuclear proliferation are having impacts on the Egyptian-Israeli and Jordanian-Israeli peace accords and the prospects for a settlement between the Palestinians and Israelis. The roles of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are analyzed in light of the changing political landscape in both Israel and Palestine. Given the role of Syria in the Palestinian-Israeli affairs, the book also explores the ways that internal instability in Lebanon could escalate into a regional conflict.

When Vickie Spring promised her dad who had served in both WWII and the Korean War, that she would one day write his story and the others with whom he served, she never imagined the challenges that lay ahead of her. After months of searching, thirteen men were found that had fought in Korea alongside her dad. Vickie has compiled these brave and noble men's personal accounts of their experiences during the Korean War. Their stories are heartfelt and compelling. Each story will be given to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. for generations to experience each man's laughter, pain, and suffering. Here are their stories...

John Medley s life took on new meaning on the day twenty-one trainee soldiers died. As a teenager, he embarked on the journey of his lifetime to become a fighting finance noncommissioned officer in the US Army. After infantry and paratrooper training, he showed early allegiance to the US Army Finance Corps. The loss of those twenty-one soldiers instilled in him a lifelong commitment to ensuring timely and accurate pay to soldiers and their dependents. Over his career, he learned to rely on his military training and education to help him face and resolve problematic conditions and situations. He also relied on the acquired, mission-related knowledge that he gleaned from one assignment to the next. His life and career were affected further by the urgency to respond to the families of 248 soldiers who had been killed in an air crash when returning from the Sinai. An encounter with a widow and her two toddlers would change his life again. After the death of her soldier husband, she came to John s office in search of condolence and relief from her unbearable strife. There, the two spoke of her emotional and financial concerns for her family s future without her husband. Fortunately, John and his team were prepared to help these families through their darkest days. Join Dr. Medley as he brings you inside the workings of military finance operations and life in the civilian worlds of business, civil service, and academia."

This fascinating book assesses Prussian military thinker Carl von Clausewitz's famous theory on warfare in relation to historical and modern-day conflict—and future trends. Carl von Clausewitz's On War is arguably the most important single work ever written on the theory of warfare and military strategy. In Clausewitz Reconsidered, two prominent military historians assess his theories, examining their viability at a time when asymmetric warfare and "war" conducted by and against nonstate actors is increasingly common and state control often ephemeral. The basis of the book's analysis is an examination of war over the last four centuries, since the Thirty Years' War, including the Cold War and subsequent conflicts. What is discovered is that war is far more endemic and brutal today than when Clausewitz tried to explain it. This volume explores that paradox and shows that if anything, we can anticipate further uncontrolled violence. The authors conclude that Clausewitz and On War have assumed a status akin to holy writ, but are obviously dated. The aim of Clausewitz Reconsidered is to bring the master's theories up to date, providing the current generation with a new basis for thought and analysis.

Samuel Pepys began his celebrated diary in 1660, at the age of 26, as a young and ambitious secretary. Due to his support of the king's restoration, he soon found himself in an influential position in the Royal Navy's administration. He was to keep the diary for nearly ten years, until his eye sight failed, and in it he would record many of the great events of the age, such as the outbreak of plague and the Great Fire of London, as well as many smaller, domestic and personal happenings. Although written in shorthand and principally for his own personal remembrance and pleasure, it is clear at times that Pepys had one eye on posterity. It is a large work, conveniently divided into one volume per year; here is the first, based on the first complete edition, that of Henry B. Wheatley, originally published in 1893.

Since its birth, America has been involved in more than a dozen military conflicts. From the battle of King's Mountain in the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War, this resource provides a wealth of primary documents and commentary on pivotal events of war and peace. Expert commentary and the text of 70 primary documents expressing a variety of positions on these issues bring to light the complexities of American military conflicts. Documents include excerpts from speeches, diaries, pamphlets, broadsides, songs, newspaper articles, congressional debates, and government reports.

Among the issues covered are the arguments between Federalists and anti-Federalists over the War of 1812, the debate over westward expansion during the Mexican War, the New York City draft riot in the Civil War, the debate over the Indian Question, the annexation of the Philippines, the Espionage and Sedition Acts of World War I, the decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima, the recall of General Douglas MacArthur, the My Lai massacre, and the bombing of Iraq. Each entry contains a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the event, followed by the text of 3-8 primary documents presenting a variety of viewpoints by participants in the event. A narrative introduction to the topic, a helpful annotated bibliographic research guide for each event, including recommended web sites and videos, and a timeline of key events will aid the student researcher. This is an ideal resource for student research and class debate.

The anecdotes in this book represent events that occurred during a Naval career that spanned twenty-five years and five nuclear submarines. Tales of Admiral Rickover and King Hussein (of Jordan) are included. Some stories are hilarious; some are poignant. Some are technical; most are not. All are true. Many will be familiar to mariners anywhere; others are unique to the author. All are enjoyable.

Is NATO still in the best interest of the United States? This provocative work argues that the focus on NATO distracts the U.S. from the vital foreign policy challenges of the 21st century, most notably China's rise in power. Since its beginning in 1949, NATO-the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-has been at the center of U.S. foreign policy. The alliance was crucial during the decades of the Cold War, and the United States collaborated closely with NATO during crises in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. But does the NATO alliance still serve the best interests of the U.S.? The NATO of today-one that has expanded to 30 member countries-risks involving the U.S. in unwanted military activities of the future, actions that were not intended in the original Atlantic alliance. In addition, the real challenges for foreign policy of 21st century are not in Europe, but in the expanding economic powerhouses in Asia, especially China. NATO Reconsidered argues that the changes in world politics in recent decades requires that the more than 70-year-old alliance should no longer be the principal focus of U.S. foreign policy. Makes an original and contrarian argument openly questioning U.S. participation in NATO in the 21st century Takes account of NATO's full history, putting today's international reality into context Analyzes surprising data on Germany's growing economic and political ties to Russia, questioning Germany's reliability as a NATO ally Reflects the author's unique perspective on NATO stemming from experience in the State Department, in international business, and as a professor teaching world politics with a focus on Europe Openly eschews the globalists' "party line" and offers solid analysis and conclusions needed to ensure the U.S.' future security

Two of Wellington's officers tell their stories of war
This book contains personal accounts giving the perspectives of two young British officers of infantry during the Peninsular War in Spain against Napoleon's French forces. Each account is comparatively short and they have been published in a single volume by Leonaur not only because they represent aspects of common experience, but also to provide readers with essential texts of the Napoleonic Wars in a cost effective way. John Dobbs was an officer in the 51st Foot and shared the experience of campaigning with the famous Light Division. Here is the storming of Badajoz in all its appalling detail as well as fascinating details of the campaign that led to the fall of San Sebastian and the invasion of France. Young Robert Knowles was an officer in the 7th-the Royal Fusiliers. He was clearly a particularly bold and courageous soldier and through his letters we share his personal view of the conflict. These are vital additions to every library of the Peninsular War and will be appreciated by students and casual readers alike.