Strategy Manuals: Ending Disputes
In a recent search, it was discovered that the search results do not provide a direct list of five books recommended by the New Lines Institute specifically for understanding conflict termination. However, the New Lines Institute is a think tank that focuses on foreign policy and national security, and its experts have contributed to a series called the War Books series.
The War Books series features experts recommending books on a specific topic and explaining what sets each book apart. Three experts from the New Lines Institute, Caroline Rose, Tammy Palacios, and Calvin Wilder, have contributed to this series on the topic of conflict termination.
One book that is recommended in the series is "The Battle for Syria" by Christopher Phillips. This book provides a useful overview of how the Syrian conflict has compounded over time, exacerbated by states' lack of long-term strategies for successful conflict termination. Phillips assesses the extended civil war in Syria as an intractable geopolitical tug-of-war and showcases the difficult political and security circumstances if forces opt to withdraw partially or fully.
Another book recommended in the series is "The War in Ukraine's Donbas: Origins, Contexts, and the Future," by David R. Marples. This book explores historical, political, and geopolitical imperatives for extended Russian territorial contestation in Ukraine's Donbas region from 2016 to 2020. The book identifies Russian long-term interests to extend influence in the Donbas and the necessary steps for de-escalation and eventual conflict termination.
Emma Sky's book, "The Unraveling: High Hopes and Missed Opportunities in Iraq," is also recommended for its account of the Coalition Provisional Authority's efforts to establish a new government in Iraq following the 2003 invasion, and its lessons about the pitfalls of conflict termination.
The book "Conflict Termination and Military Strategy: Coercion, Persuasion, and War" assesses the challenging environment in which political and military leadership strategize to terminate conflict, particularly when there is no end in sight, and the gaps that exist between the strategic, operational, and tactical aspects of partial and full military withdrawal. Stephen J. Cimbala and Keith A. Dunn's book, "Conflict Termination and Military Strategy: Coercion, Persuasion, and War," explores the favorable and unfavorable conditions for conflict termination, assessing different great-power perspectives and impetuses for withdrawal.
Wangari Maathai's book, "The Challenge for Africa," does not directly address the topic of preventing terrorism or post-conflict scenarios. However, the book speaks to African accountability from an African development practitioner's perspective and outlines successful approaches in conceptualizing issue sets. Maathai's perspective and approach are valuable for affecting change in areas outside your purview, representing lessons learned from past military hearts-and-minds-style engagements.
It is important to note that the views expressed in the War Books series do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
If you are interested in finding a verified list of five books recommended by the New Lines Institute for conflict termination, it is recommended that you check the New Lines Institute's official publications or website directly for their recommended reading list. Alternatively, a general list of influential books on conflict termination and resolution based on wider expertise can also be provided upon request.
- The New Lines Institute's War Books series, focusing on conflict termination, includes books recommended by experts like Caroline Rose, Tammy Palacios, and Calvin Wilder.
- One book in this series, "The Battle for Syria" by Christopher Phillips, offers insights into the complexities of Syria's conflict and the importance of long-term strategies for successful conflict termination.
- In the War Books series, David R. Marples' book, "The War in Ukraine's Donbas: Origins, Contexts, and the Future," delves into the historical, political, and geopolitical factors influencing extended Russian territorial contestation in Ukraine's Donbas region.
- Emma Sky's book, "The Unraveling: High Hopes and Missed Opportunities in Iraq," is a valuable addition to the War Books series, as it provides lessons about the challenges of conflict termination based on the Coalition Provisional Authority's experiences in Iraq.
