Contemporary Challenges in War and Strategy

Catalog description

Surveys the Cold War, postcolonial conflicts and the post-9/11 era, culminating in debates about U.S. strategy in competition with China and Russia. Case studies include the French wars of decolonization, Vietnam, the Gulf War and contemporary campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Evaluates how political objectives, coalition dynamics and strategic culture shape war outcomes under conditions of limited war and nuclear deterrence. Integrates themes of adaptation, leadership and strategic innovation, challenging students to synthesize lessons from past conflicts to address contemporary strategic and policy dilemmas.