Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the CheapAmerica has been at war for most of the 20th and 21st centuries and during that time has progressively moved towards a vicarious form of warfare, where key tasks are delegated to proxies, the military’s exposure to danger is limited, and special forces and covert instruments are on the increase. Important strategic decisions are taken with minimal scrutiny or public engagement. This compelling account charts the historical emergence of this distinctive tradition of war and explains the factors driving its contemporary prominence. It contrasts the tactical advantages of vicarious warfare with its hidden costs and potential to cause significant strategic harm. |
Other editions - View all
Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap Thomas Waldman Limited preview - 2023 |
Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap Waldman, Thomas Limited preview - 2021 |
Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap Thomas Waldman Limited preview - 2021 |
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achieve action activities Affairs Afghanistan American apparent approaches armed armies associated battle become bombing campaigns cause central century Chapter Clausewitz Cold Cold War commanders commitments concerns conduct consequences contemporary context continued costs covert decisions designed developments direct distance drone earlier early edited effects efforts emerged empire employed enemy engagement especially essentially expanding fact factors fighting foreign foreign policy further future given global groups History human ideas important increasingly influence instance interests International intervention involved Iraq largely lead leaders less limited major means methods military militias missions nature notes objectives officials operations peace policymakers political practice presented President problems proxy reflected relation respect response result risk secret seeking serious society Soviet special forces strategic strikes Studies success suggested threats tradition troops United University Press vicarious warfare victory Vietnam wars weapons Western World York