“William Martel has provided a very useful summary of the thinking about and meaning of victory throughout history, which will enrich our discussions about the wars with which we are presently involved.” – Robert D. Kaplan, Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security
1. Introduction; 2. Foundations of a general theory of victory; 3. Historical origins of victory; 4. Modern origins of victory; 5. American experience with victory; 6. American logic of victory; 7. 1986 raid on Libya; 8. 1989 invasion of Panama; 9. 1991 Persian Gulf War; 10. Intervention in Bosnia, Kosovo, 1992–1999; 11. Intervention in Afghanistan, 2001–2010; 12. 2003 invasion of Iraq; 13. Influence of military power on victory; 14. Conclusion.