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What kind of nuclear strategy and posture does the United States need to defend itself and its allies? Contrary to conventional wisdom, this book explains why a robust nuclear posture, above and beyond a mere second-strike capability, contributes to a state's national security goals.

In Beyond the Wire, the authors argue that the US has entered into a "Domain of Competitive Consent" where the longevity of overseas deployments relies upon the buy-in from host-state populations and what other major powers offer in security guarantees. Drawing from three years of surveys and interviews across fourteen countries, they demonstrate that a key component of building support for the US mission is the service members themselves as they interact with local community members. They also highlight both the positive contact and economic benefits that flow from military deployments and the negative interactions like crime and anti-base protests.

In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument examines the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, probing how the public views their military and the effect that partisan tribalism may have on that relationship in the future. Michael A. Robinson studies the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay of the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself on the prospect of politicization and its associated challenges. As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide, Dangerous Instrument provides important insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and delivers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

Militaries that can rapidly adapt to unexpected battlefield challenges are more likely to win wars, and those that cannot are more likely to lose. In Adaptation under Fire, David Barno and Nora Bensahel identify the characteristics that make militaries more adaptable, illustrated through historical and contemporary examples. The authors argue that the U.S. military often adapted well in Iraq and Afghanistan at the tactical level, but also displayed disturbing failures by some of its senior leaders. They conclude that the U.S. military must become far more adaptable in order to address future security challenges effectively, and recommend ways to do so before it is too late.