Since the end of the Cold War the United States and other major powers have wielded their air forces against much weaker state and non-state actors. In this age of primacy, air wars have been contests between unequals and characterized by asymmetries of power, interest, and technology. This volume examines ten contemporary wars where air power played a major and at times decisive role. Its chapters explore the evolving use of unmanned aircraft against global terrorist organizations as well as more conventional air conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and against ISIS. Air superiority could be assumed in this unique and brief period where the international system was largely absent great power competition. However, the reliable and unchallenged employment of a spectrum of manned and unmanned technologies permitted in the age of primacy may not prove effective in future conflicts.

Since the end of the Cold War the United States and other major powers have wielded their air forces against much weaker state and non-state actors. In this age of primacy, air wars have been contests between unequals and characterized by asymmetries of power, interest, and technology. This volume examines ten contemporary wars where air power played a major and at times decisive role. Its chapters explore the evolving use of unmanned aircraft against global terrorist organizations as well as more conventional air conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and against ISIS. Air superiority could be assumed in this unique and brief period where the international system was largely absent great power competition. However, the reliable and unchallenged employment of a spectrum of manned and unmanned technologies permitted in the age of primacy may not prove effective in future conflicts.

The long history of warfare reveals man's ingenuity for developing methods to triumph over other men. Nature possesses a similar ability to challenge human interlopers, and infectious disease joins warfare as a primary determinant of human affairs. Enlisting pathogens as weapons of war serves the pragmatic interest of gaining advantage over the enemy, and the specter of biowarfare endures in the modern era. Fundamental breakthroughs such as genetic engineering and the decoding of the human genetic blueprint usher in new possibilities for offensive weapons and the means to defend against them. America must now devise a practical approach to ensure its security in a modern world plagued by common access to potent bioweapons. This thesis investigates how the genomics revolution, or the transformation of modern bioscience, affects America's national security. The proliferation of advanced biotechnology equips state and non-state actors with the asymmetric means to challenge American interests, and in a world governed only by the security dilemma America must adopt a sensible posture towards biowarfare. Borrowing from the pragmatic doctrine of realpolitik, this thesis creates the term biopolitik to describe a realist approach to the promise and peril of biotechnology. Biopolitik demands an aggressive, resourceful biodefense to thwart the intent of modern adversaries, and this defense leverages new technology to detect, mitigate, and attribute biological attacks. Biopolitik also addresses the shortcomings of nuclear or conventional reprisal, and it examines the efficacy of including advanced bioweapons in America's strategic arsenal. This thesis also draws from the airpower experience to examine the nature of v asymmetric weapons and assess how America exploits technology to serve strategic objectives. The evolution of precision airpower portends the development of sophisticated bioweapons, and airpower's integration of offensive and defensive capabilities to pragmatic

The femtosecond laser has emerged as a groundbreaking game-changer in ophthalmic surgery. It was first introduced for corneal refractive surgery in flap creation during LASIK, and subsequently for cataract surgery in 2008. The femtosecond laser cuts deeply on a single plane without collateral damage. Its high precision and safety result in excellent outcomes in the hands of experienced eye surgeons, benefiting virtually everyone. Femtosecond Laser Surgery in Ophthalmology fills an unmet need for a comprehensive, up-to-date resource on growing applications of this state-of-the-art technology. H Burkhard Dick is a world-renowned pioneer who has performed more than 6,000 laser cataract operations. Readers will benefit from his keen insights along with the collective expertise of co-authors Tim Schultz, Ronald D. Gerste, and a cadre of top-notch contributors. Twenty-nine chapters encompass basic physics, refractive and therapeutic cornea treatment, various aspects of laser cataract surgery, and patient selection. Key Features Clinical pearls, outcomes, and complications management in femtosecond laser-assisted in situkeratomileusis surgery Discussion of crucial steps including capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, and corneal incisions The use of the femtosecond laser for presbyopia, pediatric cataract surgery, and ocular comorbidities Extensive videos posted in the Thieme MediaCenter further elucidate techniques More than 300 high quality illustrations and photos add a rich visual dimension This practical book provides in-depth knowledge on the applications of femtosecond laser surgery, enabling cataract and refractive surgeons to incorporate these techniques into daily practice. Ophthalmologists and ophthalmology fellows and residents will discover an invaluable resource for specialized training.