This study was undertaken during a period of uncertainty and transition in Europe (particularly in divided Germany) and the Soviet Union. The fluidity of the political environment and the nature of the changes taking place make it extremely difficult to predict the precise contours of the strategic landscape. Yet even in such circumstance, force structures must be designed and strategic options thought out completely. The focus of this study is primarily on long-range strategic issues and force structures, regardless of the politics of the moment, since it is likely that changes in the European environment will continue. Part 1 provides a broad overview of the changing strategic landscape and how the U.S. Army intends to respond. Part 2 focuses on the domestic environment and security issues with two selections, one addressing public opinion and the other on Congress and the defense budget. These chapters examine the constraints on responding to security issues and the reshaping of military posture imposed by a democratic system. Part 3 shifts the direction to specific issues in Europe. The selections range from an examination of the Gorbachev phenomenon and the changing dynamics within NATO to the conventional force balance and U.S. and European force structures. Part 4 extends the view beyond Europe, examining conventional conflicts in non-European areas and unconventional conflicts. Part 5 comes to grips with the impact of the new landscape on maritime strategy and the changing dimensions of air strategy. Part 6 focuses on the new challenges posed to the education and training of U.S. Army officers and Army reserve forces. The last part, "Conclusions," summarizes the major points made in the book, draws conclusions regarding the strategic landscape in the 1990s, and raises critical questions regarding national security strategy and U.S. Army force posture.

Education of U.S. Army officers / Howard D. Graves -- Challenges of U.S. Army Reserve Force readiness / Frederic J. Brown and Aubrey R. Merrill, Jr. -- Challenges and requirements for the future / John Allen Williams.