Strategy in War and Peace

'"Strategy", a much used, yet misunderstood, and frequently misapplied term in international politics is a theme well worth unpacking and exploring. Strategy in War and Peace offers a clear, accessible and incisive road map through this often foggy terrain.' M. L. R. Smith, Professor of Strategic Theory, Department of War Studies, King's College London A lively introduction to the practical application of strategy in war and peace Have you ever wondered why strategy remains a central concept in international security? Or why the term travels so well across the academic disciplines of history, politics and international relations? This thought-provoking introduction provides the answers to these and other key questions about strategy in times of war and peace, and assesses strategic theory as a practical intellectual approach to navigating the complex and uncertain international security environment that we live in today. The chapters in this book explore strategic episodes from world history and politics and they deal with a range of themes to help readers unpack the key scholarly and policy debates. These themes include international relations; technology; ethics; irregular war, including counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and hybrid warfare; the resurgence of great power rivalries in the early twenty-first century; and the rise of non-state actors. Key Features - Assesses the practical utility of strategy in the modern world and emphasises its analytical value in the practical business of national and international security - Presents case studies from a variety of historical and geographical contexts, including: guerrilla warfare and strategy in diverse geographical regions such as South East Asia and the Middle East; US nuclear strategy in the Cold War; Russian intervention in Ukraine; British strategy at the end of the empire; the UN's role in resolving conflict after the Cold War; the US-led coalition strategy in Afghanistan; and the challenge posed by Al Qaeda and Islamic State/Daesh, that help students to understand modern strategy - Examines the political trappings of strategy in the realms of both war and peace Aaron Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in Defence and International Affairs at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Cover image: Barack Obama tours Iraq (c) U.S. Army/Handout/Getty Images Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN (cover): 978-0-7486-8398-7 ISBN (PPC): 978-0-7486-8397-0 Barcode

Aaron Edwards is Senior Lecturer in Defence and International Affairs at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He is author of Mad Mitch's Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Mainstream Publishing, 2014), Defending the Realm? The Politics of Britain's Small Wars since 1945 (Manchester University Press, 2012), A History of the Northern Ireland Labour Party (Manchester University Press, 2009), co-author (with C. McGrattan) of The Northern Ireland Conflict: A Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications, 2010) and co-editor (with S. Bloomer) of Transforming the Peace Process in Northern Ireland (Irish Academic Press, 2008).

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction
What is Strategy? Ends and Means in Strategy The Practical Application of Strategy Strategy, Ethics and Restraint in War Strategy and the Utility of Force The Role of Strategy in Ending Wars and Building Peace Strategy Redux? Conclusion Notes Glossary Bibliography