When the war in Afghanistan ended in 2002, the country was largely governed by Afghans. This result came about because, rather than inserting thousands of troops into the country, the U.S. fought the war using a new type of military operation that relied on special forces, airpower, and Afghan allies. In the operation, around fifty U.S. special forces personnel accomplished what planners had believed would require 50,000 U.S. ground troops. In the wake of the war military planners largely dismissed the Afghan model as unworkable elsewhere. In this article, the authors examine how the new...

Special Bibliography Number 116, in support of the 56th Academy Assembly held at the United States Air Force Academy, 24 February 2015, will focus on America's relationship with Russia. The subject is of deep interest to both the United States military and policy makers. Relations between the United States and Russia have emerged as one of the most important global relationships in the 21st Century. This years Assembly will examine the implications of Russia's relationships with the United States in terms of global security, economics, politics, and social issues.

Iran's intransigence over its nuclear development program is only the latest episode in which Tehran has made international news headlines and is at least part of the reason 27 percent of Americans consider Iran as Washington's "greatest menace." Iran's February 2006 announcement it would resume enriching uranium underscored the tension that has existed between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Then, after insurrectionists working through proxies.

Today your Airmen serve in unprecedented times. After 25 years of constant combat operations they face a dynamic, unpredictable future that does and will increasingly rely on airpower. They serve in the smallest and oldest Air Force in our history; the size of our force is at an all-time low, and the average age of our aircraft and buildings are at an all-time high. Yet our Airmen continue to provide the preponderance of combat force against our adversaries around the globe. There is no doubt they are the most talented, educated and experienced force our country has ever assembled. They are...

The identity, mission, and requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), have been evolving since the end of the Cold War. The pace of this evolution in mission sets has been increasing, and on a vector towards a more global and rapid expeditionary force responding to both conflict and humanitarian need. Strategic airlift is a core capability required by NATO nations if they are to carry out these endeavors across the globe. While the United States (U.S.), possess a tremendous strategic airlift capability, all other NATO nations suffer a severe gap in strategic airlift...