The future of war

In this book, Lawrence Freedman examines how societies over the last two centuries have tried to predict the future of war.

He discusses how most predictions about future wars have been wrong, often idealizing war as confined, brief, and decisive.

Freedman covers a wide range of historical examples, from the Franco-Prussian War to contemporary insurgencies, and critiques the classical model of war that emphasizes decisive knockout blows.

He also explores the blurring of boundaries between peace and war, the rise of civil wars, and the impact of technological advancements such as cyberwar, robots, and drones.

The book challenges current strategic thinking and provides a historical perspective on the evolving nature of warfare.