Lifting the Fog of War

From the Publisher: A brilliant white paper on the changing face of war and the future of the military. As fleet commander during the Gulf War and then as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William A. Owens saw firsthand that "smart" missiles, instant communications, and high-tech surveillance have replaced troops, tanks, and battleships as the "weapons" with which wars are fought. In this incisive and fascinating book, Owens vividly imagines the future of war and the implications for military policy and everyday life. In the wars of the future, Owens contends, the United States' greatest asset will be satellite surveillance, which allows the military to survey entire countries with great precision, round the clock, in any weather. So the United States and its allies should "lift the fog of war" by creating a satellite network rather than continuing to build more planes and nuclear weapons-and should tailor its military budget accordingly. Owens also urges the military to cut back its reliance on defense contractors and instead form open relationships with electronics and technology companies. Owens is one of the true visionaries in the military world. His forward-looking book is a blueprint for a smaller, saner military, and it speaks directly about America's opportunities and responsibilities as the world's dominant military power. Index About the Authors: As vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the first Clinton administration, ADMIRAL WILLIAM A. OWENS was the United States' second-highest-ranking military official. He now heads Teledesic, a leading satellite communications company, and lives near Seatlle. EDWARD OFFLEY has been Military Reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer since 1987, and has covered military operations and exercises in eighteen countries. He lives in Bellevue, Washington.