Full Description
Many saw the United States' decisive victory in Desert Storm (1991) as not only vindication of American defense policy since Vietnam but also confirmation of a revolution in military affairs (RMA). Just as information-age technologies were revolutionizing civilian life, the Gulf War appeared to reflect similarly profound changes in warfare. A debate has raged ever since about a contemporary RMA and its implications for American defense policy. Addressing these issues, The Iraq Wars and America's Military Revolution is a comprehensive study of the Iraq Wars in the context of the RMA debate. Focusing on the creation of a reconnaissance-strike complex and conceptions of parallel or nonlinear warfare, Keith L. Shimko finds a persuasive case for a contemporary RMA while recognizing its limitations as well as promise.
Contents
1. Military revolutions and the Iraq wars; 2. From Vietnam to Iraq - the rebirth of American military power and the origins of an RMA; 3. The first Iraq War, 1991 - a revolution dawns?; 4. The Iraq interregnum, 1991-2000; 5. Afghanistan and the second Iraq War, 2001-3 - a revolution confirmed?; 6. The third Iraq War, 2003-? - a revolution denied?; Conclusion: the future of America's military revolution.
