1st Edition
US Defence Strategy from Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom Military Innovation and the New American War of War, 1973-2003
Acknowledgments i
Chapter 1. Military Innovation and Defense Transformation 1
Study Overview
Chapter 2. On Military Innovation 17
Introducing Military Innovation Studies
Coming to Terms with Military Innovation
Contextualizing Innovation
Military Innovation Studies: A Sketch of Resources
On Innovation for Profit
Learning From the Military Revolution in Early Modern Europe
Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 3. American Military Strategy from World War II to Vietnam 60
On ‘Carrying a Twig’: Postwar Defense Planning
Changes in the International Security Environment
The Truman Doctrine and Shifts in Strategic Planning
The New Look
Further Evolution of Deterrence Strategy
Flexible Response and the Emerging Framework for Innovation
The Soviet Nuclear RMA: On the Strategic and Operational Threat
American Military Strategy and the Legacy of Vietnam
Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 4. Military Innovation in the Shadow of Vietnam: The Offset Strategy 110
The Post-Vietnam Security Environment
Framing the Post-Vietnam Strategic Context
Toward Technological Innovation: DARPA and the Offset Strategy
An Emerging Revolution in Army Doctrine, Training, and Operational Art
Air Power Developments: Precision Warfare, Tactical Aviation, and Space Power
Leveraging the Information Revolution
Shifts in National Security Planning
Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 5. Expanding Missions, New Operational Capabilities 186
Chapter Overview
The Reagan Buildup and Shifts in National Security Planning
Time-Dominance, Interdiction, and Battlefield Integration
Military Thought and Doctrine: AirLand Battle and Follow On Forces Attack
New Security Challenges and Military Missions at the End of the Cold War
Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 6. From RMAs to Transformation:
Rediscovering the Innovation Imperative 247
Revisiting the American RMA
From RMA Thesis to Transformation Policy
Revisiting Information Superiority
The Bush Doctrine and Preemption
Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusion: Revisiting the Military Innovation Framework 303
Revisiting Necessity, Context, and the Security Environment
Perceptions of Innovation Attributes
Enablers
Organizational Factors
Revisiting the Innovation Milieu
A Final Theme From the Thirty-Year Transformation
Notes 350
Biography
Robert R. Tomes
‘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
