Essays on Strategy: The German Invasion of Russia, 1941; Attempts to Ban Chemical Weapons; 'Deep Attack' in Defense of Central Europe; NATO and Persian Gulf Security; US, Australia, and Indian Ocean Security

摘要

The five selected essays address issues and choices confronting Western strategists. 'Operation Barbarossa' examines basic military strategy and delineates certain characteristics of the Soviet soldier by reviewing Germany's 1941 invasion of Russia. 'Tantalus Revisited' traces efforts to ban the use of chemical weapons and analyzes current US and Soviet proposals for an international convention, paying particular attention to verification and compliance. The three remaining essays examine more specific strategic issues: how, or indeed whether, to implement 'Deep Attack' concepts for defense of Central Europe; how the United States and its NATO Allies can develop a workable joint strategy for the Persian Gulf region; and how to improve the already good Australian-American relationship to increase security in the Indian Ocean region and Southwest Asia. These essays emphasize the value of intelligent and open debate on national security issues.