From Reviews:
"The work . . . is devoted to regional conflicts, inter alia
because of the (quite sensible) assumption that in the
foreseeable future, 'the United States will probably encounter
challengers who have some peer capabilities . . . and
supraregional appetites,' but that it is 'unlikely that any
power has, or will in the near term have, both the ambitions and
the resources necessary to mount a global challenge to the
United States.'" (NOD and Conversion)
"In Sources of Conflict in the 21st Century, Khalilzad and
Lesser examine current political trends and potential sources of
conflict in three regions (Asia, the Greater Middle East, and
Europe and the former Soviet Union) through the year 2025.
Individual chapters provide detailed discussion of regional
trends and their implications for strategy and planning. In
addition, the authors describe three possible alternative future
"worlds", each with their own meanings for strategic planning.
These possible futures include a projection of today's mixed
political climate, a more benign world in which the great powers
are at peace and are actively cooperative, and a world beset
with economic, demographic, and political turmoil. Sources of
Conflict in the 21st Century provides a thorough analysis and a
careful future forecasting of the world political climate that
defense planners will need to prepare accordingly for the
challenges of the 21st century. Sources of Conflict in the 21st
Century is recommended reading for students of political
science, international studies, and military science." (The
Midwest Book Review)
"Covers nearly everything: nine tenets about global trends in
the next 25 years, three alternative future worlds, wild cards,
regional analyses, and specific scenarios of functional
challenges. . . . This excellent study touches nearly all the
bases--except information warfare..." (Future Survey)
"Anyone who . . . was . . . preparing to lie back and
enjoy a world where history has almost ended should study
the list of 'wild cards' drawn up by the RAND Corporation,
the Pentagon's favourite think-tank, in a study for the
United States Air Force on possible future sources of
conflict." (The Economist)
"The Air Force report is sure to show up in future thrillers.
. . . Occasionally an academic study prepared for a professional
audience transcends its original purpose and appeals to a much
broader readership. Sources of Conflict in the 21st Century is
such a study. . . . These . . . suggested . . . crisis
scenarios--such as a conflict between Taiwan and China or a war
between Russia and Ukraine--are likely to show up in future
works by the likes of Tom Clancy or Ken Follett. Sources of
Conflict offers a highly readable, well-informed resource for
readers with an interest in world affairs and America's future."
(Grand Rapids Press)
"The analysis is well-structured, sharp, and professional . .
. The brief presentation of nine conflict scenarios in the
appendix . . . gives a reader some food for thought about risk
assessment as practised by the USA." (Journal of Peace
Research)
"This useful book is aimed primarily at defense planners,
whose task, it is argued, has become more difficult since the
Cold War's end. The editors and other contributors attempt to
ease the plight of their intended audience by, essentially,
bounding the range of strategic uncertainty with which it is
confronted. . . . For faculty, advanced undergraduates and
graduate students, and researchers and practitioners."
(CHOICE)
