This study shows that thirteenth century Mongol warfare is an example of emerging operational art. There is significant debate on the origins of operational art. The School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) advances two arguments. Both arguments...
In 1274 and 1281, the Mongol Empire attempted overseas invasions of Japan, following diplomatic efforts to make Japan submit. On both occasions, the Mongols were unsuccessful. Although the Japanese offered stiff and well-coordinated resistance, the...
The majority of the literature on maneuver warfare begins with an examination of German "stormtrooper" tactics of World War One or the German blitzkrieg campaigns of World War Two. Soviet deep maneuver campaigns and Israeli campaigns of the last...
The introduction of attack helicopters to the battlefield opened a new dimension for ground combat forces. This monograph examines history to identify those characteristics that make an arm effective in the shock role and to assess the modern...
Gabel, Christopher R. (Christopher Richard), 1954-; Wilbanks, James H., 1947-
With the publication of Great Commanders, the Combat Studies Institute continues its mission of publishing CGSC Faculty scholarship and adding to the body of historical literature the thoughts and research of these distinguished Professors. These...
This monograph examines the theory of operational art in light of economic growth and societal development. The study uses W.W. Rostow's five stages of economic growth as a framework for analysis and examines how operational art is manifested as...
This study attempts to illuminate some prevailing myths about the Mongol warrior. The investigation is focused on a review of the Mongol steppe warrior himself, his leadership with emphasis on Genghis Khan, the Mongol army's organization and...
The Army is in the midst of formalizing its operating concept for the land component of AirLand Operations (ALO). This concept stresses the avoidance of attritional, mass on mass, linear warfare. ALO seeks quick and decisive victory with minimal...
This monograph investigates culture and society in Afghanistan and recommends an operational approach leveraging a blend of formal and traditional institutions, working with the propensity of the Afghan system, and building capacity and legitimacy...
Since 1925, Iranian governments purposefully shaped the Iranian national identity in an attempt to socially prioritize membership in nationalist and religious social groups, over others such as ethnicity or profession. Further, successive Iranian...
The present situation in Afghanistan is not being resolved by the current U.S. strategic approach. Given the recent uptick in insurgent violence, the shift in emphasis with regards to Afghanistan, and the change in presidential administrations, the...
Since 2001, the capabilities of the Afghan state have been a priority on the world stage. The reign of Amir Abdur Rahman, who established the current state of Afghanistan, is critical in understanding the development of the current state, and the...
This research study examines the 7/7 London bombings, the Murrah building attack by Timothy McVeigh, and the Japanese religious terrorist group Aum Shinrikyo. The three groups are analyzed against the recognized forms of human rights, as defined by...
The art and science of geopolitics was developed to explain history and international relations by identifying and incorporating the role of geography and climate in the complex adaptive organic system that is human civilization. The application of...
This monograph examines the role of policy in guidance of the British, the Soviet and the U.S.-NATO wars in Afghanistan. Set in the context of Afghanistan’s history and its socio-cultural environment, the study critically analyzes the negative...
Each time the United States was drawn into a major conflict, it was at the low point of our military band of excellence. This was evident when Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th 1941 and again during the attacks on the Pentagon and the World...
It is important for military professionals to study
military history in order to improve core skills in analysis,
problem-solving, and motivation. An understanding of military
history better prepares practitioners to comprehend the
strategic scope...
This volume presents the story of Afghanistan's fight against the Soviet Army beginning in 1979 and how the Mujahideen prevailed against a larger and decisively better equipped foe. It provides an understanding of guerrilla field craft and tactics,...