Stephen J. Cimbala Knihy

Published in 1991, Clausewitz and Escalation is a valuable contribution to the field of Military & Strategic Studies.

Focusing on the evolving nuclear arms control dynamics between the United States and Russia, this book delves into the challenges of the second nuclear age, marked by the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Asia and the Middle East. It examines the implications of emerging technologies, including cyberwarfare and missile defense systems, on nuclear deterrence and crisis management. Additionally, it addresses the geopolitical tensions involving NATO and China, while offering policy recommendations to prevent a renewed arms race. Ideal for those studying nuclear policy and international relations.

The book examines the evolving role of nuclear weapons and strategy in the 21st century, arguing that while nuclear deterrence will still matter, its significance will shift. With the decline of Cold War-era paradigms, advanced conventional weapons utilizing information and electronics are poised to take precedence over nuclear arsenals as the primary means of military dominance. Cimbala explores this transformation, highlighting the changing landscape of warfare and the implications for future military strategies.

The great Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, in his classic On War , introduced the idea of friction in war. Friction was one of the most important ideas that Clausewitz put forward. His application of the term is generally taken to be limited to events on the field of battle. But had Clausewitz lived to the end of the 20th century, he undoubtedly would have broadened his understanding of friction to include the nexus between war and policy making. He would have done so because his most fundamental insight, apart from the significance of friction in war, was his insistence upon the priority of policy over war.Cimbala applies the concept of friction to a number of 20th century cases of war and policy making. He also applies it to some plausible scenarios for the next century. Although many U.S. military planners and policy makers appear to place their faith in technology as the sine qua non of success in security and defense policy, technology can be self defeating and myopic if political and strategic vision are lacking. For example, the mindless pursuit of information warfare in all its varieties may convince potential U.S. opponents that infowar is a cost effective way of negating U.S. military power. A provocative analysis for scholars, students, military professionals and other policy makers involved with strategy and military policy issues.

The book explores the necessity for Russian military and political leaders to reevaluate their strategies and the interplay between military tactics and policy-making. Cimbala emphasizes the need for a shift in perspective to adapt to evolving geopolitical realities, suggesting that outdated approaches could hinder Russia's effectiveness in modern conflicts.

Focusing on the subjective elements of decision-making in military operations, the book analyzes past U.S. security policy cases while anticipating future challenges. It emphasizes the necessity of understanding both human factors and tactical hardware in preventing, managing, and concluding wars. Through this lens, it distills crucial lessons for navigating conflicts in the post-Cold War era, offering insights into effective strategies for contemporary security dilemmas.