Strategy in the Contemporary World

The complete introduction to strategy in the contemporary world, which critically explores the enduring, present and emerging issues dominating the field of strategy. This exploration of strategic studies gives students a complete introduction to strategic thinking, from historical and theoretical approaches to the contemporary issues and challenges facing strategists, and the world, today. A team of expert authors present readers with key debates and a range of perspectives, encouraging critical thinking. Key Features · Leading international scholars provide complete coverage of key enduring, contemporary and emerging issues in strategic studies · Tailored learning features encourage students to develop critical thinking skills and encourage readers to reflect upon and evaluate a wide range of perspectives · Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support New to this edition points · Danielle F. S. Cohen, Director of the Public Policy Program at Lake Forest College, US, joins the editor team to bring new expertise and insight to the eighth edition. · New chapter 4 on the evolution of warfare from 1990 to today by David Kilcullen explores how long- and medium-term trends in the environment, emerging and disruptive technologies, and the return of industrialized warfare have given rise to new domains, means, and methods of warfare. · New chapter 12 on cyber security, espionage, and warfare by Kristan Stoddart explores the growing cybersecurity risks that accompany society's increasing dependence on information communications technologies. · New chapter 13 on strategy and outer space by Peter Hays explores intelligence, civil, commercial, and defence space activity, and opportunities and challenges for space strategy · Fully rewritten chapter on nuclear weapons, now authored by Jeffrey Michaels, explores the role of nuclear weapons in the first, second, and third nuclear ages. The 8th edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats: the e-book and Politics Trove offer a mobile experience and convenient access along with customisable PowerPoints, test bank and question banks for lecturers, and Multiple-choice questions for students. For more information about e-books, please visit www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

John Baylis is Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations and a former Pro-Vice Chancellor at Swansea University. Prior to that he was Professor of International Politics and Dean of Social Sciences at Aberystwyth University. He has published more than 20 books and over a hundred chapters and articles. His books include Sharing Nuclear Secrets: Trust, Mistrust and Ambiguity in Anglo-American Nuclear Relations since 1939, with Anthony Eames (Oxford University Press, 2023); The British Nuclear Experience: The Role of Beliefs, Culture and Identity, with Kristan Stoddart (Oxford University Press, 2015); The Makers of Nuclear Strategy, with John Garnett (Pinter, 1991); and The Globalization of World Politics, edited with Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (10th edn, Oxford University Press, 2026). He has a BA, MSc (Econ), PhD, and DLitt from Swansea and Aberystwyth Universities. James J. Wirtz is a Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. He is the author of Understanding Intelligence Failure (Routledge, 2017). Along with Loch Johnson, he is the editor of Intelligence: The Secret World of Spies (6th edn, Oxford University Press, 2022). He received his PhD from Columbia University. Jeannie L. Johnson is the Founding Director of the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence at Utah State University and a Professor in the Political Science department. She is the author of The Marines, Counterinsurgency, and Strategic Culture: Lessons Learned and Lost in America's Wars (Georgetown University Press, 2018), and the co-editor of Routledge Handbook of Strategic Culture (Routledge, 2024) and Crossing Nuclear Thresholds: Leveraging Socio-Cultural Insights into Nuclear Decisionmaking (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). Dr Johnson previously worked for the CIA's Directorate of Intelligence and the US State Department. She received her doctorate from the University of Reading in 2013. Danielle F. S. Cohen is the Director of the Public Policy Program at Lake Forest College, where she teaches courses in public policy, international relations, and modern East Asian history. She is the co-author, with Gilbert Rozman and Yun Sun, of Xi Jinping's Quest for a Sinocentric Asia, 2013-2024: Deciphering Chinese Strategic Thinking in a Pivotal Period (Routledge, 2025) and has been a frequent contributor to The Asan Forum. She received her PhD in Government from Cornell University in 2016.