Strategic Futures

Read 1

The Kill Chain

Christian Brose

I value Brose’s call for urgency and innovation, connecting digital technologies with the practical demands of national defense.

Read 2

Danger Zone

Hal Brands; Michael Beckley

I recommend the book as a clear synthesis of earlier China themes and the authors’ argument about a narrowing strategic window.

Read 3

Spymaster's Prism

Jack Devine

I pair Devine with The Kill Chain and Danger Zone to emphasize that contemporary conflict also involves narrative, perception, and covert influence.

Read 4

Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order

Ray Dalio

I treat Dalio’s historical patterns as a useful lens for structural instability while leaving room to disagree with his conclusions.

Read 5

The Dragons and the Snakes

David Kilcullen

I include this to keep adaptation at the center of strategic thinking. An advantage matters only in relation to how others respond.

Read 6

War Transformed

Mick Ryan

I include this to connect new technology with the human and institutional demands of using it well.

Read 7

The Twilight War

David Crist

I include this to ground strategic speculation in the record of actual decisions and their often unintended consequences.

The Coming Storm

Odd Arne Westad

I include this book for its perspective on historical perspective on power and conflict. This is an entry into the related reading for Strategic Futures, connecting the historical foundations collection to present strategic questions.

The Next World War

Peter Apps

I include this book for its perspective on contemporary conflict and strategic risk. After the core strategic-futures books, this selection brings the conversation back to contemporary reporting.

Nuclear War: A Scenario

Annie Jacobsen

I include this book for its perspective on deterrence, escalation, and decision-making. This companion sharpens this collection’s discussion of deterrence and the limits of strategic confidence.

Biological War: A Scenario

Annie Jacobsen

I include this book for its perspective on national security and emerging threats. Read alongside Nuclear War to compare the questions raised by different forms of catastrophic risk.

Ghost Wars

Steve Coll

I include this book for its perspective on intelligence, Afghanistan, and unintended consequences. This companion connects the intelligence questions of Strategic Futures to the Afghanistan accounts in the Elliot Ackerman collection.

Alas, Babylon

Pat Frank

I include this book for its perspective on fiction about resilience and community after catastrophe. Read alongside Nuclear War to compare a contemporary scenario with a fictional account of survival and community.