Small wars are operations undertaken under executive authority, wherein military force is combined with diplomatic pressure in the internal or external affairs of another state whose government is unstable, inadequate, or unsatisfactory for the preservation of life and of such interests as are determined by the foreign policy of our Nation.

-- Small Wars Manual, 1940

Welcome. Small Wars Journal publishes contributed work from across the spectrum of stakeholders in small wars. We look for articles from serious, authentic voices that add richness, breadth and depth to the dialog that too often occurs in cloistered venues. We do not screen articles for conformance with a house view; our only position is that small wars are wicked problems warranting consideration of myriad views before action, to inform what will no doubt be imperfect decisions with significant unintended consequences. On the continuum from paralysis by analysis, to informed action with recognition & maybe mitigation of cascading effects, to bold & ignorant decisiveness, we strive to help our readers find the middle ground.

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The world must focus on strengthening institutions as it sets about withdrawing from the Afghan conflict.

Brad Fultz offers a qualitative tool to help commanders understand actors in their area of operations through a lens of locally defined legitimacy.

F3EA and D3A are great for what they do – but a flexible plan across all echelons for all planners may be a way to go, especially in a military where manpower could be severely limited in the...

The authors propose implementing F3EAD methodology, which has met with success in the SOF community, across the force.

Adam Elkus explores the role of drones in battle and warfare and concludes that the moral concerns are nothing new to military history.

swj blog

In a blast from the past, Kennedy and Johnson staffer turned Harvard professor James C. Thompson looks at how the tragedy that was the Vietnam War unfolded.

The U.S. pivot to Asia could give the military alliance a chance to find a new identity.

Continue on for today's SWJ news and opinion roundup and links to the USNI Daily and Real Clear World.

What do I miss from Iraq?

As American conservatives wage an energetic battle against altruism in domestic affairs, they should be prepared to do so in the realm of national security as well