Future Warfare: An Introduction - Mark Lacy

This book introduces a range of key topics and trends that are changing the character of war and international relations.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach that combines the work of academic researchers and security analysts, the book is divided into three thematic sections – Transformation of Modern War; Emergence of Postmodern War; Exploring the Fog of Future War. The chapters offer an accessible introduction to challenging topics such as quantum warfare, war in the space domain, environmental (in)security and climate change, drone war, airpower, maritime security, psychological warfare, AI and wargaming. Each chapter includes future scenarios to stimulate open and creative thinking about future warfare, setting out a variety of paths through which the student can explore ‘the fog of future war.’ In so doing, the book encourages readers to consider the range of possible futures and to think critically about the solutions proposed to manage future challenges of security and war. The book concludes with a chapter on how innovative approaches to wargaming are being used to understand the future of warfare, and ends with a project that will enable readers to develop their own future wargame.

This book will be of great interest to students of future warfare, security studies, defence studies and International Relations.