M2D1: America in the Age of Civilizational Conflict

38465M2D1: America in the Age of Civilizational Conflict

Samuel Huntington’s controversial “Clash of Civilizations” thesis continues to inspire debate and has provoked numerous critiques as well as modifications and applications. We have read Allenby’s article “The Paradox of Dominance” and are now prepared to engage in discussion regarding the implications of civilizational conflict for American national security.

Please respond to the following:

1. “The wars of militaries are over; the wars of civilizations have begun.” If this assessment is correct, what do you regard as the most profound challenge to national security policy generated by the “wars of civilization”?

2. What are America’s most important resources to address this challenge?

Required Reading:
Module Notes: 21st Century Warfare
Allenby, B. R. (2015). The paradox of dominance: The age of civilizational conflict (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (71:2), pages 60-74
McCuen, J.J. (2008). Hybrid wars (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Military Review (March/April 2008), pages 107-113
Russett, B. (2014). The waning of warfare (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Current History, January 2014. pages 30-32