Research Catalog

Title

Stretching and exploiting thresholds for high-order war : how Russia, China, and Iran are eroding American influence using time-tested measures short of war / Ben Connable, Jason H. Campbell, Dan Madden.

Author

Connable, Ben

Publication

• Santa Monica, Calif. : RAND Corporation, [2016]
• ©2016

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

• Campbell, Jason H.
• Madden, Dan
• Arroyo Center issuing body.

Description

xv, 40 pages : illustration; 28 cm

Summary

"U.S. thresholds for high-order conventional and nuclear war are diffuse and dynamic, differ across regions, and are hard to enforce. Since 9/11, three of the primary nation-state competitors to the United States--Russia, China, and Iran--have successfully exploited or stretched U.S. thresholds for high-order war in order to further their strategic ends and, in the process, undermine U.S. interests. Each of these countries has made expert use of some combination of measures short of war, including economic leverage, terrorism, limited military incursions, aggressive diplomacy, and covert action, to enact its strategies. Some argue that these actions constitute a new international order, or perhaps a new way of war. They do not: Use of measures short of war is time-tested nation-state behavior. U.S. policymakers and military service leaders would benefit from additional consideration of these measures, how they are used against the United States, and how they might be defended against and exploited to further U.S. strategic interests"--Publisher's description.

Alternative Title

How Russia, China, and Iran are eroding American influence using time-tested measures short of war

Subject

• Low-intensity conflicts (Military science)
• Security, International > 21st century
• United States > Military policy > 21st century
• United States > Foreign relations > 21st century

Note

• "RR-1003-A"--Cover page 4.
• "RAND Arroyo Center."
• "Prepared for the United States Army."

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 31-40).

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Preface -- Figure -- Summary -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- 1. Time-Tested Measures Short of War: Myths of the New Paradigms -- 2. American Understanding of Thresholds Is Impractical -- 3. Russia, China, and Iran Apply Measures Short of War: Example 1: Russia Exploits and Stretches Thresholds in Eastern Europe -- Example 2: China Expands Its Boundaries in East Asia -- Example 3: Iran in Iraq -- 4. Conclusion, Considerations, and Cautions: Considerations -- The Risks of Improving and Increasing the Use of Measures Short of War -- Bibliography.

ISBN

• 9780833090447
• 0833090445

OCLC

951065670

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library