Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

Book Review: The Airborne Mafia: The Paratroopers Who Shaped America’S Cold War Army, Jason A. Yanda

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Author: Robert F. Williams

Reviewed by: Jason A. Yanda, assistant professor, US Army Heritage and Education Center, US Army War College

In this gripping organizational history, Robert F. Williams reveals how a tight-knit group of World War II paratroopers rose to dominate the US Army’s leadership and reshape its doctrine during the Cold War. Through bold innovation and a fiercely held airborne culture, figures like Ridgway, Taylor, and Gavin transformed civil-military relations, atomic warfare planning, and airmobile strategy. The Airborne Mafia uncovers how subcultures can wield extraordinary influence, leaving a legacy that still echoes through today’s military institutions.

©2026 Jason …

Book Review: Cornerstone Of The Nation: The Defense Industry And The Building Of Modern Korea Under Park Chung Hee, Kevin Davidson

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Author: Peter Banseok Kwon

Reviewed by: Colonel Kevin Davidson, US Air Force, Northeast Asia foreign affairs officer, United States Africa Command Liaison Office

In this groundbreaking study, Peter Banseok Kwon uncovers how South Korea’s defense industry became the engine of its rapid modernization under President Park Chung Hee. Drawing on declassified archives and firsthand interviews, Kwon reveals a hidden alliance of military, scientific, and industrial forces that transformed Korea into a global economic power. Cornerstone of the Nation reframes the “Miracle on the Han River” as a story of militarized industrialization, offering fresh insights into authoritarian development and Cold War …

Simulating Cyber-Resilience: The Strategic Role Of The Locked Shields Exercise In Enhancing International Cyber Preparedness, Christopher A. Ramezan, Ludwig Christian Schaupp, Elizabeth A. Vitullo, William J. Walker

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

As cyberthreats to critical infrastructure remain prevalent, national response mechanisms must evolve beyond the technical domain to incorporate legal, communicative, strategic, and cross-sector coordination. This work explores Locked Shields, an annual exercise conducted by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, as a pedagogical and conceptual framework for simulating whole-of-government responses to cyber incidents. Unlike traditional cyber exercises, Locked Shields engages legal advisors, media strategists, and civil-military roles in realistic, scenario-driven simulations that portray the political and operational conditions of a real international-scale cyber crisis. We detail the exercise architecture, contrast with other cyber exercises, and assess its pedagogical and …

Underground Space Economy: Industrial Foundation And Strategic Path Under Connotative Development Background, Rong Yi, Lina Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the new stage of China’s urban development from large-scale incremental expansion to stock improvement and efficiency improvement, underground space, as an important land space resource, has become increasingly prominent because of its strategic value and potential. Promoting the transformation of underground space development and utilization from engineering construction orientation to system governance and comprehensive utilization is an important apprach to implement the requirements of urban connotative development and improve the efficiency of resource and space utilization. The large-scale development of underground space development and utilization drives the agglomeration and systematic development of underground space related industries, which lays a …

Opportunities And Development Path Of Underground Space Industry For Urban Renewal And Energy Transition, Bo Zhang, Hongzhi Yao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Driven by the two strategic opportunities of urban renewal and energy transition, the underground space industry is set to experience a new round of development boom. This study focuses on the improvement and efficiency enhancement of underground space during the urban renewal process and the utilization of underground space resource for the new energy system construction, and sorts out the key development directions of the industry. Based on the layout principle of “tailoring measures to local conditions and cities”, and in combination with the social and economic conditions and resource endowment of each region across the country, differentiated regional industrial …

Book Review: Betting Against America: The Axis Powers’ Views Of The United States, Thomas Bruscino

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Author: Harry Yeide

Reviewed by: Thomas Bruscino, professor, operational art and theater planning, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, US Army War College

What if the Axis powers had seen America clearly before launching into war? Betting Against America dives into the flawed intelligence, cultural biases, and strategic miscalculations that led Germany, Japan, and Italy to underestimate the United States. Through intercepted communications and insider reports, Harry Yeide reveals how these fatal errors shaped the course of World War II.

Development Pathways And Strategies For Enhancing Resilience Of Underground Space In China’S Megacities, Xiangsheng Chen, Dong Su, Zezhou Wu, Kaihang Han, Xingtao Lin, Xiangpeng Cao, Weibin Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As China’s urbanization enters the phase of enhancing quality and efficiency of existing assets, megacities are facing dual pressures of resource constraints and safety risks. Underground space, as a key carrier for urban resilience, holds urgent strategic significance for high-quality development. This study systematically analyzes the current status, challenges, and future trends of underground space development in China’s megacities, focusing on two core issues: “resilience enhancement of existing underground space” and “resilience-oriented development of deep underground space”. It proposes a systematic development path covering “digital base–intelligent platform–key technologies–collaborative governance”. The study emphasizes the need to comprehensively enhance the disaster prevention, …

Strategic Path For High-Quality Development Of Urban Underground Space In The Yangtze River Delta Region Under Geological Safety Constraints, Weiya Ge, Rui Wang, Yunfeng Li, Jian Hua, Yang Yang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As one of China’s most dynamic economic regions, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) has approached the upper limit of surface land development, making underground space a critical strategic resource for urban renewal, compact spatial restructuring, and resilient city construction. Nevertheless, rapid expansion of underground development, combined with increasingly tight surface constraints, has led to the superposition of multiple geological hazards, which has become a key bottleneck restricting high-quality underground space utilization in the YRD. Based on comprehensive geological safety assessments of YRD cities, this study identifies six major geological risks, namely, land subsidence, karst collapse, landslides and debris flows, mining-induced …

Suggestions On Development And Industry Layout Of Special Underground Space In Western China, Shishu Zhang, Xinjian Liu, Meng Wang, Shihan Shan, Congyan Ran, Weitao Chen, Xiaoping Zhao, Siyun Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Western China has abundant resources and takes an important strategic position. Facing the dual pressure of scarce surface space and ecological protection constraints, special underground space becomes the core carrier for releasing development potential, such as space used for energy storage, material storage, and strategic repository. This research conducts a systematic comparative analysis of the underground space function of the Eastern China and the Western China based on the differential positioning in national strategic perspective. The utilization of underground space in the eastern region focuses on urban underground infrastructure while that in the western region focuses on special underground space …

Study And Reflection On Undergroundization Of Critical Infrastructure In Megacities From Perspective Of National Strategy, Kaiguo Jia, Baohua Huang, Lina Ye, Tengfei Guo, Rong Yi

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Critical infrastructures are vital strategic resources, directly impacting national security and the operation of economy and society. Twenty-two megacities and large cities in China, due to the concentration of resources and poorly concealed distribution of critical infrastructure, face multiple risks such as warfare attack, natural disaster, and facilitiy aging. Incorporating the undergroundization of critical infrastructure into national strategy is an imperative choice for national security, resilient city, and high-quality growth. International practices have proven the advantages of underground development in terms of protection and space optimization. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, it is recommended to adopt strategies such as …

Practice And Multidimensional-Coupling Planning Methods Of Underground Space Utilization Of Megalopolis, Xiaodong Shi, Kejie Wu, Yiting Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As megacities enter a phase of stock improvement as well as intensive and efficient development, underground space planning has evolved from an engineering issue into a strategic topic concerning territorial security, resource allocation efficiency, and urban resilience. The establishment of a clear hierarchical underground space planning system and the improvement of underground space control methods are the important prerequisites for ensuring the sustainable utilization of underground space resources. In line with the territorial spatial planning system, the systematic planning and control methods have been explored from the perspective of strictly adhering to the ecological bottom line, coordinating functional facilities, and …

On Enactment Of “Underground Space Law”, Hong Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

With urban development shifting from a phase of large-scale incremental expansion to one focused on intensive development with improved quality and efficiency, underground space is set to become a key direction for urban expansion. Currently, China lacks special and unified national legislation on underground space, while many places have issued local regulations and local government rules. Based on an overview of the issues in the management of underground space development and utilization, this study analyzes the necessity and feasibility of enacting an “underground space law”. It further proposes the establishment and improvement of relevant legal systems in areas such as …

When Disaster Strikes Y’All Street: A Study On Cross-Sector Collaboration In Protecting U.S. Financial Critical Infrastructure, Rachael A. Zerr, John Friedlander

Publications and Research

This exploratory research examines public-private collaboration between corporate security leaders and local emergency responders in the North Texas financial corridor known as “Y’all Street.” Using perception-based survey data from senior representatives in the private and public sectors, the paper evaluates partnership strength, preparedness activities, information sharing, and operational coordination. Findings indicate that collaborative practices such as facility tours, joint exercises, and emergency planning are present, but that partnership maturity remains uneven and is not yet fully standardized across the corridor. The research concludes that more formalized and institutionalized coordination will be necessary to strengthen resilience as the region’s financial significance …

Watching The Watchers: Redefining Privacy And Human Rights In Correctional Surveillance, Ianna H. Choi

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Incarcerated individuals exist in a space where security and privacy constantly clash. This study examines how surveillance technologies—biometric monitoring, video surveillance, and electronic tracking—in correctional settings impact the privacy rights of those incarcerated. Through a review of peer-reviewed literature, and insights from informal conversations with incarcerated individuals at Broome County Jail, this research examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of surveillance in carceral facilities, focusing on how constant monitoring impacts privacy, relationships, and mental well-being. Expanding beyond jails, the study considers surveillance in state and federal prisons, evaluating its implications under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and …

Book Review: Lessons From The Admiral: Naval Wisdom And Sea Stories For Leaders, Richard M. Yates

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Author: Mark C. Fava

Reviewed by: Commander Richard M. Yates, US Navy, faculty instructor, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, US Army War College

Mentorship, reliability, and adaptability—explore the Admiral’s wisdom for navigating high-stakes environments. From attention to detail to building resilient teams, discover insights that transcend the military and shape modern leadership.

Copyright: ©2026 Richard M. Yates

Book Review: Rhino Tanks And Sticky Bombs: Gi Ingenuity In World War Ii, William Phillips

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Author: Robert P. Wettemann Jr.

Reviewed by: Colonel William Phillips, US Army (retired), assistant professor, Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations, US Army Command and General Staff College

Improvised weapons and battlefield creativity take center stage in Rhino Tanks and Sticky Bombs, Robert P. Wettemann Jr.’s tribute to the ingenuity of American GIs during World War II. From modifying tanks to crafting makeshift explosives, soldiers turned innovation into survival and success. This compelling account reveals how necessity and resourcefulness shaped the outcome of history’s most devastating conflict.

Copyright: ©2026 William Phillips

Book Review: The Russian-Ukrainian War, 2023: A Second Year Of Hell And The Dawn Of Drone Warfare, Paul Andrew Lushenko

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Author: John S. Harrel

Reviewed by: Paul Andrew Lushenko, professorial lecturer, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University

In the brutal second year of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine faced relentless assaults while pioneering the battlefield use of drones in a desperate bid for survival. Retired General John S. Harrel delivers a gripping account of mechanized warfare’s evolution, where unmanned aerial vehicles reshaped tactics from the trenches to the Black Sea. This vivid chronicle captures the chaos, innovation, and global reverberations of a war that redefined modern combat.

©2026 Paul Andrew Lushenko

Book Review: Cassino ’44: The Brutal Battle For Rome, Wylie W. Johnson

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Author: James Holland

Reviewed by: Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, US Army War College class of 2010

In this masterful retelling of the Italian Campaign’s final months, James Holland captures the harrowing struggle to break through the German Gustav Line and liberate Rome. Drawing from 20 years of research and firsthand accounts, he brings to life the chaos of Monte Cassino and Anzio through the eyes of soldiers, nurses, and civilians caught in the maelstrom. Cassino ’44 redefines our understanding of World War II’s most grueling campaign, revealing its strategic importance and human cost just days before the D-Day landings.

©2026 …

Book Review: The Politics Of War And Peace: A Survey Of Thought, Isaiah Wilson Iii

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Authors: Abbott A. Brayton and Stephana J. Landwehr

Reviewed by: Dr. Isaiah “Ike” Wilson III (colonel, US Army retired); professor of practice, Arizona State University; and president emeritus, Joint Special Operations University

Spanning centuries of political and philosophical reflection, Brayton’s work explores how thinkers from ancient times to the modern era have grappled with the moral and strategic dilemmas of war and peace. Through a rich tapestry of ideas, the book reveals the enduring tensions between justice, power, and diplomacy. It’s an essential guide for understanding how past wisdom continues to shape contemporary debates on conflict and resolution.

Copyright: ©2026 …

Book Review: World War Ii Battles Reconsidered: Game Theory And Decision Science Perspectives On Gazala, El Alamein, Falaise, And Arnhem, Andy Nichols

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Author: Mark Thompson

Reviewed by: Lieutenant Colonel Andy Nichols, US Army War College class of 2024

Former Harvard professor Mark Thompson applies cutting-edge decision science and game theory to four pivotal World War II battles, revealing how strategic missteps and psychological biases shaped their outcomes. From Gazala’s disastrous command decisions to Arnhem’s flawed reliance on surprise, each case is dissected with analytical precision and historical depth. This groundbreaking study challenges conventional military narratives and offers a fresh lens on leadership, risk, and battlefield logic.