America and the Future of War

the long version

Williamson Murray examines the past to shed light on the present and future challenges between war and peace. The author offers a historical perspective to show that armed conflict between organized political groups has been mankind's constant companion and that America must remain prepared to use its military power to deal with an unstable, uncertain, and fractious world. The character of war appears to be changing at an increasingly rapid pace with the scientific advances providing new and more complex weapons, means of production, communications, and sensors, all capable of altering the character of the battle space in an unexpected fashion. Murray warns that our responsibility as a great power demands that we recognize the nature of the world; where force. power, and war remain a driving factor of international relations, in which we live.