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Home : Library : Chairmans Leadership Library : Modern Defense Studies
Books

Destined for War

Graham Allison

Summary: Explores the applicability of the “Thucydides Trap” concept to U.S.-China dynamic. The concept is based on a historical pattern of war between a rising and established power. 

Reasons to Read: A clear-eyed framework for understanding the dynamics of great power competition. Allison’s exploration of the “Thucydides Trap” equips leaders to assess risk, anticipate escalation, and weigh strategic choices in the U.S.–China relationship with both historical perspective and operational urgency.

The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare

Chris Brose

Summary: Calls for a radical transformation in U.S. military strategy to keep pace with technological innovation and adversaries like China. He argues for a sweeping overhaul of America’s defense strategy and bureaucratic processes/systems with the objective of moving away from outdated platforms and toward a dynamic, tech-driven “kill chain” that prioritizes speed, adaptability, and information dominance.

Reasons to Read: A call to transform how America prepares for and fights future wars. Brose outlines the shift from legacy systems to agile, tech-enabled capabilities—reinforcing the leader’s role in driving innovation, integrating across domains, and delivering decision advantage at speed.

 

The Twilight War: The Secret History of America's Thirty-Year Conflict with Ira

David Crist

Summary: Chronicles the covert and overt conflict between the United States and Iran over three decades, revealing espionage, military skirmishes, and missed diplomatic opportunities. Drawing on declassified documents and interviews, he shows how both nations have operated in a shadow war. The book underscores the complexity and volatility of U.S.–Iran relations.

Reasons to Read: A detailed account of four decades of confrontation, negotiation, and proxy conflict with Iran. Crist’s work offers leaders the historical depth and contextual awareness to navigate the gray zone—where diplomacy, intelligence, and military power intersect.

Chairman's Corner

 

In a short video, Gen Caine explains why he recommends these "Modern Defense Studies" titles.


 

Additional Recommendations

 

Irregular Warfare Podcast — “The Fourth Age: The SOCOM Commander’s Vision for the Future”

Offers a forward-leaning view on how technology, integration, and speed will define the next era of warfare.

 

The Principles of War - "Eps. 132 – Ten Battlefield Disruptors for Tomorrow's War" 

Draws on lessons from recent conflicts to  emphasizing how these disruptors are shaping the future of large-scale combat operations

 

RAND - "It's Time to Rethink U.S. Defense Strategy"

Emphasizes the need to move away from traditional expeditionary warfare toward agile, resilient, and tech-enabled forces capable of responding quickly to emerging threats.