"War is timeless. Some things change—weapons, tactics, technology, leadership, objectives—but our desire to go into battle does not. We are living in the age of Durable Disorder—a period of unrest created by numerous factors: China’s rise, Russia’s resurgence, America’s retreat, global terrorism, international criminal empires, climate change, dwindling natural resources, and bloody civil wars. Sean McFate has been on the front lines of deep state conflicts and has studied and taught the history and practice of war. He’s seen firsthand the horrors of battle and understands the depth and complexity of the current global military situation.This devastating turmoil has given rise to difficult questions. What is the future of war? How can we survive? If Americans are drawn into major armed conflict, can we win?"

Strategic atrophy -- Why do we get war wrong? -- Rule 1: Conventional war is dead -- Rule 2: Technology will not save us -- Rule 3: There is no such thing as war or peace: both coexist, always -- Rule 4: Hearts and minds do not matter -- Rule 5: The best weapons do not fire bullets -- Rule 6: Mercenaries will return -- Rule 7: New types of world powers will rule -- Rule 8: There will be wars without states -- Rule 9: Shadow wars will dominate -- Rule 10: Victory is fungible -- Winning the future -- Annex: The thirty-six ancient Chinese stratagems for war.