In the recent past, nations usually waged war as part of a military alliance system. In spite of this fact, however, there has been little study of the challenges and problems of warfare as part of such systems. The issue continues to be timely, if only because of contemporary focus upon what is termed "RSI"-rationalization, standardization, and interoperability-the triad now deemed necessary to make alliances function properly. The objectives of RSI are to enable the armed forces of member North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), American, British, Canadian, Australian (ABCA) alliances, and other allied nations to operate together in the most effective manner and to make the most efficient and economical use of research, development, test, procurement, production, and operations and support resources. Lt. Col. John A. Hixson and Dr. Benjamin Franklin Cooling have contributed by providing the modern history of this phenomenon-the military art of combined operations.

"A U.S Army Military History Institute publication"--T.p.

The traditional approach in the age of imperialism -- The first test of coalitions-World War I -- France and Flanders, 1939-1940 -- Integrated unit operations, North Africa and Italy -- Staff integration, North Africa and Italy -- Enforced integration, three case studies -- The axis experience: Russia, North Africa, and Finland -- The Korean War -- NATO: the first thirty years -- Lessons learned -- Appendices: A: interoperability, World War I -- B: Anglo-French liaison, 1939-40 -- C: failure in allied communications security -- D: the liaison officer.