National Security Dilemmas

This contemporary guide examines key challenges in U.S. national security, offering insights on deterrence, military transformation, and irregular warfare, while advocating for a strategic approach to policy and military alignment.

National Security Dilemmas is a contemporary examination of the critical issues surrounding U.S. national security, authored by Colin S. Gray. The book delves into the significant challenges and opportunities that American policymakers and strategists face today. Gray provides a thorough analysis of deterrence strategies, the ongoing transformation of U.S. military capabilities, and the complexities of responding to strategic surprises amid numerous uncertainties. He also explores the difficulties in adapting to revolutionary changes in warfare and the unique challenges posed by adversaries employing irregular tactics.

Gray draws on his four decades of experience as a strategist, both within the government and in private sectors, to offer a problem-solving perspective throughout the text. He emphasizes the necessity for the United States to adopt a more thoughtful strategic approach to its security dilemmas. Often, leaders rush to implement policies without adequately connecting their political objectives to military strategies. Gray critiques this tendency, advocating for a more integrated and deliberate planning process that aligns military actions with broader political goals.

The book serves as an expert guide to contemporary national security challenges, providing both a framework for understanding these issues and practical solutions. With a foreword by Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper, USMC (Ret.), the text highlights the importance of bridging theory and practice in strategy formulation. Ultimately, National Security Dilemmas is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the complexities of U.S. national security and the strategic decisions that shape its future.