The 2024 Chief of Naval Operations Reading List
Warfighting - Deliver Decisive Combat Power (Part 1)
"It is critically important for our Navy to be a learning organization – one whose people always read, critically think, and seek professional and warfighting excellence in everything they do – so we can remain the world’s premier warfighting force."
~ Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations
The 2024 Chief of Naval Operations Reading List, focused on "Warfighting - Deliver Decisive Combat Power," includes key titles to increase your understanding of global naval dynamics. War Transformed by Mick Ryan explores 21st-century warfare and the impact of technology. China as a Twenty-First Century Naval Power by Michael A. McDevitt analyzes China's growing maritime strength and its global implications. Red Star Over the Pacific by Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes examines China’s challenge to U.S. maritime dominance. Finally, The Sea in Russian Strategy by Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly investigates Russia’s strategic use of naval power. Collectively, these books offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and strategies shaping today’s and tomorrow’s conflicts.
War Transformed - The Future of Twenty-First Century Great Power Competition and Conflict by Mick Ryan
China as a Twenty-First Century Naval Power - Theory, Practice, and Implications by Michael A. McDevitt
Red Star over the Pacific - China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy by Yoshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes
The Sea in Russian Strategy by Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly
War Transformed - The Future of Twenty-First Century Great Power Competition and Conflict
By Mick Ryan
War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First Century Great Power Competition and Conflict by Mick Ryan offers a thought-provoking analysis of how technology, global politics, and emerging threats redefine warfare. The book addresses great power competition in the 21st century, emphasizing the shifts in military strategy and the rise of hybrid and cyber warfare.
Why You Should Consider Reading It:
Exploration of Modern Warfare Dynamics: Ryan examines how artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and other advanced technologies are changing how wars are fought and won, giving readers insight into the strategic adjustments countries are making to address new forms of conflict.
Geopolitical Insights: The book illuminates the complex relationships between the world's leading powers and the competitive environment shaping today's global competition, helping readers understand the motivations behind current military posturing and alliances.
Lessons from Historical and Recent Conflicts: Through historical analysis and case studies, Ryan explores how conflicts from the past inform the tactics and strategies of the present, revealing the patterns and lessons that continue to influence military operations.
Key Takeaways:
War Transformed highlights the pivotal role of technology in modern conflicts, showing how tools like AI and cyber warfare reshape power dynamics and battlefield tactics.
Ryan provides a nuanced view of how countries must adapt their military strategies in a rapidly evolving world of hybrid warfare, making traditional methods less effective.
The book underscores the increasing importance of global cooperation and competition, noting how alliances and rivalries impact national security and military readiness.
Publication Details:
Publisher: U.S. Naval Institute Press
Pages: 312
Release Date: February 15, 2022
If you're interested in understanding how the future of warfare may play out and the role of emerging technologies, War Transformed offers a compelling analysis of the strategies and challenges shaping tomorrow’s conflicts.
You may also be interested in our review of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare
China as a Twenty-First Century Naval Power - Theory, Practice, and Implications
By Michael A. McDevitt
China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power by Michael McDevitt is a comprehensive analysis of China’s growing naval capabilities and impact on global military balance. The book focuses on China’s ambitions to build a formidable navy and how this affects security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Why You Should Consider Reading It:
In-Depth Look at China’s Naval Strategy: McDevitt provides a detailed overview of China’s maritime objectives, modernization efforts, and strategic deployments, giving readers an insider’s perspective on China’s path to becoming a dominant naval force.
Implications for Global Security: The book examines the potential geopolitical impacts of China’s naval expansion, including how the U.S. and other regional powers are responding to its rise in maritime strength.
Historical and Strategic Context: McDevitt draws on historical precedents and current military trends to outline China’s approach, allowing readers to understand the driving forces behind its pursuit of power on the seas.
Key Takeaways:
China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power shows how China’s ambitious naval expansion could alter the power balance in Asia and across the globe.
The book emphasizes the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic theater, highlighting China's long-term goals and the responses of other major powers.
McDevitt explains how China’s naval rise fits within broader security trends, explaining the strategic depth of its maritime ambitions.
Publication Details:
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Pages: 320
Release Date: February 15, 2023
If you're interested in understanding China's naval ambitions and their implications for international security, this book offers valuable insights into a crucial aspect of global military strategy.
Red Star over the Pacific - China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy
By Yoshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes
Red Star Over the Pacific: China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy by Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes is a strategic examination of China’s growing naval influence and its challenge to U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. The book discusses how China’s expanding naval reach impacts the global maritime balance and explores potential responses by the United States.
Why You Should Consider Reading It:
Insightful Analysis of China-U.S. Maritime Competition: Yoshihara and Holmes provide a clear view of China’s maritime goals, including how its growing power affects the security dynamics in the Pacific and beyond.
Detailed Overview of Chinese Naval Strategy: The authors examine China’s historical and strategic motivations, as well as its use of naval forces to achieve geopolitical aims, giving readers a deeper understanding of China’s maritime ambitions.
Implications for Future U.S. Naval Policy: The book assesses how the U.S. could adapt its naval strategy in response to China’s rise and offers perspectives on maintaining balance in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Takeaways:
Red Star Over the Pacific emphasizes the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific as a stage for great power competition.
The book illustrates how China’s ambitions may shift global maritime power and urges a rethinking of U.S. and allied naval strategies.
Yoshihara and Holmes highlight the long-term implications of China’s naval growth for regional stability and security.
Publication Details:
Publisher: Naval Institute Press (Second Edition)
Pages: 384
Release Date: Revised December 15, 2018
If you’re interested in the future of global naval power and the evolving U.S.-China maritime rivalry, this book provides essential insights into one of the most critical aspects of this strategic competition.
The Sea in Russian Strategy
By Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly
The Sea in Russian Strategy by Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly explores the strategic importance of naval power in Russia's global ambitions and military planning. The book examines how Russia views the sea as a crucial domain for asserting influence, balancing power, and protecting national interests amid geopolitical tensions.
Why You Should Consider Reading It:
Insight into Russia's Naval Ambitions: Monaghan and Connolly provide a comprehensive look at Russia's maritime goals and the role of naval strength in its broader strategy, helping readers understand how the sea factors into Russia’s quest for power.
Context on Geopolitical Tensions: The book discusses how Russia’s navy serves its security and foreign policy objectives, shedding light on its activities in critical regions like the Arctic, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean.
Analysis of Russia’s Naval Modernization: By exploring Russia's efforts to modernize its fleet, the authors provide insight into the country's strategic challenges and opportunities, as well as its rivalry with NATO and other Western powers.
Key Takeaways:
The Sea in Russian Strategy highlights the critical role of naval power in Russia's national defense and foreign policy, especially in contested waters.
The book emphasizes the strategic importance of specific maritime regions where Russia seeks to establish influence or dominance.
Monaghan and Connolly analyze Russia’s modernization efforts, illustrating how it plans to adapt to and challenge Western naval capabilities.
Publication Details:
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Pages: 272
Release Date: June 27, 2023
If you’re interested in Russian military strategy and the role of naval power in global politics, this book offers a detailed analysis of Russia’s maritime objectives and their impact on international security dynamics.
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