This Week at ISN

03 - 07 Dec 2012 As the "Napoleonic-industrial" model of war, with its traditional emphasis on large-scale force-on-force violence, may be in the process of being supplanted by something much sloppier, this week we look at the present status and new identity of hard power in modern war.

Hard Power Today: Beyond The Napoleonic-Industrial Paradigm

Modern War Its Present Status and New Identity
03 Dec 2012

Two things are certain about modern warfare, argues Peter Faber. Its utility is waning, although in statistically uncertain ways, and the Napoleonic-industrial model of war, with its narrow emphasis on large-scale force-onforce violence, is no longer sacrosanct. More The Present and Future Role of Land Power
04 Dec 2012

As far as Douglas Macgregor is concerned, land power remains at the center of formal military might. However, if it is to remain effective in an era of intrastate conflict it will need to operate in mobile, dispersed and joint ways. More Air Power 101
05 Dec 2012

When I ask security analysts about air power theory and strategy, observes Peter Faber, some of them just cite Giulio Douhet. Thats seriously troubling. In an attempt to counteract this lack of familiarity with this subject, Faber reviews 13 visions of air power in this podcast. More The Past, Present and Future of Sea Power
06 Dec 2012

According to Seth Cropsey and Arthur Milikh, dominance of the high seas and possessing a blue-water navy are as important to global power and influence today as in Alfred Thayer Mahan's time. This, in turn, makes the recent launch of China's first aircraft carrier an important geopolitical event. More Security and Space Power
07 Dec 2012

Space power will play an increasingly important role in statecraft and conflict prevention. MV Smith looks at one of these roles deterring others without necessarily using or threatening to use force. More

Security Watch
Pakistan's Balochistan Problem: An Insurgency's Rebirth
03 Dec 2012

Nationalists from Pakistans largest province, Balochistan, have been fighting for a separate state for the past 60 years. According to Aurangzaib Alamgir, their cause recently gained an unexpected boost from an unexpected quarter the United States. More Croatian Joy, Serbian Anger at Gotovina Acquittal
04 Dec 2012

The ICCs decision to acquit two Croatian generals charged with war crimes was met with mixed emotions across the former Yugoslav republics. Our partners at the IWPR warn that the decision, and the lingering issues of responsibility it exposes, may further destabilize relations between Croatia and Serbia. More

Are Private Military Companies (PMCs) Exempted from Geneva Conventions?

05 Dec 2012

Many Western states are increasingly depending on private contractors to perform tasks once done by regular armed forces. Does this trend then exempt contractors from the international laws that regulate armed conflict and protect civilians, asks Richard Rousseau? More International Peacekeeping in Africa Expert Voices Part 1
06 Dec 2012

Peacekeeping in Africa remains complex, controversial and, quite often, subject to external geopolitical calculations. Here we present the first in a series of videos from a recent ISN-CSS Panel Discussion on the relative health of peace operations in Africa. More International Peacekeeping in Africa Expert Voices Part 2
07 Dec 2012

In the second of our series of videos from the ISN-CSS Panel Discussion on international peacekeeping in Africa, our guest speakers consider possible next steps that may need to be taken to ensure the success of peace support operations in war-torn African societies. More

ISN Blog
Japan's Nationalist Turn
03 Dec 2012

Japans territorial dispute with China has prompted an upsurge in nationalist sentiment throughout the country. This may, in turn, lead to populist policies that will not only antagonize Japans neighbors, but also complicate regional and global security dynamics, or so argues Joseph Nye. More America's Unhinged "Pivot"
04 Dec 2012

According to Brahma Chellany, the Obama administration has begun to downplay the military dimensions of its pivot towards Asia. Thats mixed news, depending on whether you want to avoid having to choose between two strategic partners or having the US safeguard you against Chinas territorial ambitions. More Leaders for a Leaderless World
05 Dec 2012

Prospects for international cooperation remain weak on a host of issues. However, the recent re-election of Barack Obama and attempts to rejuvenate the ailing French economy suggest that improved international cooperation may be on the horizon, or so argues Michel Rocard. More America's Trouble with China
06 Dec 2012

The United States will remain stronger and more influential than China up to 2030, writes Harold Brown. However, the US ongoing economic problems, not to mention Chinas growing military might and territorial aspirations, could well aggravate tensions between the two powers sooner than later. More Russia's European Prospects
07 Dec 2012

Too many Russians and Europeans resist the idea that they are natural political or economic partners. Thats bad, says Igor Ivanov. They need to identify where their interests converge and form a mutually beneficial working partnership. If they dont, they will not solve their common problems. More

Video
Increasing European Fragmentation Stratfor Europe analyst Adriano Bosoni discusses the growing geographic, political and economic divisions within Europe. More "Switzerland and NATO: Partners in Security" In this speech at the Churchill Symposium in Zurich, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discusses the alliance's partnership with Switzerland. More

What is The Role of Human Networks in Warfare? TX Hammes, a senior research fellow at the US National Defense University, shares his thoughts on the role of human networks in warfare. More

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