Jennifer Kavanagh

Sean M. Zeigler

Stephen Watts

Astrid Stuth Cevallos

Bryan Frederick

Nathan Chandler

Karl P. Mueller

Patrick B. Johnston

Trevor Johnston

Julia A. Thompson

Meagan L. Smith

Alexander Stephenson

The report analyzes the strategic effects of low-cost and small-footprint military options across a range of irregular warfare operations and in a range of operational environments.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Limited Stabilization, Limited Strike, and Containment Operations

Limited Intervention

Seth G. Jones

Andrew M. Liepman

This study examines the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaign against al Shabaab in Somalia. It concludes that, while al Shabaab was weakened between 2011 and 2016, it could resurge if urgent steps are not taken to address key challenges.

Assessing the Campaign Against Al Shabaab

Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency in Somalia

This report analyzes the U.S. and allied campaign against the al Qa’ida–linked terrorist group al Shabaab in Somalia, examines what steps have been most successful against the group, and identifies potential recommendations. It concludes that, while al Shaba'ab was weakened between 2011 and 2016, the group could resurge if urgent steps are not taken to address the political, economic, and governance challenges at the heart of the conflict.

Stephanie Pezard

Alexandra Stark

James Hoobler

Jooeun Kim

In this report, the authors create a framework that can be used to rigorously consider the trade-offs involved in U.S. military intervention decisions following the outbreak of a war or crisis. This framework can provide a better understanding of the relationships between intervention timing, intervention size, and intervention outcomes to inform future debates about whether, when, and with what size force to undertake a military intervention.

Whether, When, and with What Size Force to Intervene

Assessing Trade-Offs in U.S. Military Intervention Decisions

Civil war is a curse that touches everyone, including King Tashdar of the Mulamar. When he is ordered by a powerful and mysterious stranger to send warriors toward Kanai and Kadisha to slaughter everyone, Tashdar has no choice but to obey. As the Hebari emperor’s palace is invaded, only one man escapes—a captain of the guard to whom the emperor has entrusted the safety of his remaining two children. Moments later, the emperor’s legacy is erased from the face of the earth. More than forty years later, Pasha Nuvahli of the Sashramans tribe, greatest of the king’s warriors, is devastated when his wife is murdered and his son is kidnapped. Overcome with despair as war and a dangerous sorcerer threaten the southern tribes, Pasha soon finds himself in a crisis of faith as he ponders why Daiyu has allowed such sorrow to befall him. But after he learns of an ancient prophecy and his hidden connection to the last emperor of the south, Pasha is sent by King Juktan to seek an alliance with the five other Hebari tribes and lead them against an ancient enemy from the north. Suddenly, his life takes on a new meaning. In this compelling story, a worried king looks to his greatest warrior to unify the south with the hope the young soldier can save his people before all is lost forever.

Warrior of the Way

Andrew Radin

Keith Crane

Thomas S. Szayna

F. Stephen Larrabee

Given Russia’s annexation of Crimea and continued aggression in eastern Ukraine, Europe must reassess its approach to a regional security environment previously thought to be stable and relatively benign. This report analyzes the vulnerability of European states to possible forms of Russian influence, pressure, and intimidation and examines four areas of potential European vulnerability: military, trade and investment, energy, and politics.

European Vulnerabilities to Russian Pressures

Russia and the West After the Ukrainian Crisis

Howard J. Shatz

Forrest E. Morgan

Paul DeLuca

Brent Williams

James Dobbins

Raphael S. Cohen

Edward Geist

As the U.S. National Defense Strategy recognizes, the United States is currently locked in a great-power competition with Russia. This report seeks to define areas where the United States can compete to its own advantage. It examines Russian vulnerabilities and anxieties; analyzes potential policy options to exploit them; and assesses the associated benefits, costs, and risks, as well as the likelihood of successful implementation.

Competing from Advantageous Ground

Extending Russia

Nathan Chandler

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