The end of the Cold War created a near-euphoria that nations might rely less on military force and that the Doomsday nuclear clock night stop short of midnight. Events soon dashed the higher of these hopes, but the nature of military force and he uses to which it might be put did appear to be changing. Here, 11 scholars address the political, moral and military factors in the decision to use or avoid military force. Case studies of the Gulf War and Bosnia, the role of women in the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and inter-branch and inter-agency tensions and co-operation inform the various chapters. An introduction by H.W. Brands ties together the themes and perspectives. Contributors include: Stephen Biddle, Alexander L. George, J. Bryan Hehir, Andrew Kohut, Andrew Krepinevich, James M. Lindsay, Charles Moskos, Williamson Murray, Bruce Russett, Tony Smith and Susan L. Woodward.