http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/military Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:31:07 -0400 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:31:07 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1709/persianization-and-intimidation-investigating-discord-in-the-court-of-alexander-the-great By E. M. Suazo - A subset of Alexandrian scholarship which has garnered long-held fascination does not center upon a success, but rather a failure: that is, the divide in his court which emerged during his Asiatic campaigns. Such a divide, though incited by a number of grievances, was notably influenced by Alexander’s efforts to mimic, assimilate to, and integrate elements of the Persian court and military into his Macedonian empire. Biographers from Plutarch to Green have attempted to unearth Alexander’s objectives with this Persianization, and to varying success: some claim it was a unified empire... Wed, 29 Nov 2017 10:09 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1709/persianization-and-intimidation-investigating-discord-in-the-court-of-alexander-the-great http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1647/when-trying-to-surprise-your-opponents-backfires-exposing-the-weaknesses-of-the-indirect-approach By Joshua Schwartz - It is often thought that great military strategists do not engage in simple, frontal assaults, but instead devise complex plans meant to deceive, manipulate, and surprise their enemies. However, do such strategies always lead to victory? If not, what are some of the reasons why they fail to? In order to answer these questions, this paper will examine one such strategy known as the "indirect approach," which was developed by Basil Liddell Hart, a famous British historian and military strategist. The main concept of the indirect approach is that the optimal military strategy is to position your... Mon, 22 May 2017 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1647/when-trying-to-surprise-your-opponents-backfires-exposing-the-weaknesses-of-the-indirect-approach http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1552/world-war-ii-in-the-united-states-colony-of-the-philippines-beyond-the-bataan-death-march-and-douglas-macarthur By Martha M. Helak - World War II ranks among the deadliest military conflicts in history. From 1939-1945, the estimated number of casualties worldwide exceeded 60 million.[1] The United States suffered military fatalities in excess of four hundred thousand, and the Philippines, an archipelago in Southeast Asia and an American colony from 1898 to1946, endured horrifying atrocities such as the Bataan Death March.[2] One hundred thousand Filipino civilians (the majority being women, children, and the elderly), were ultimately slaughtered by Japanese Marines during the sack of Manila.[3] By March of 1945, this cosmopolitan... Tue, 07 Mar 2017 05:03 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1552/world-war-ii-in-the-united-states-colony-of-the-philippines-beyond-the-bataan-death-march-and-douglas-macarthur http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1565/reevaluating-military-strategy-the-effectiveness-of-conventional-deterrence By Dan Fitzgerald - The rise of modernized and efficient militaries competing for dominance against the United States' military has resulted in increased eruptions of conflict globally. A majority of decisions by the Joint Chiefs and EUCOM about long-term U.S. military policy in these areas are currently being based off personal and historical observations, along with blatant speculation. The question that should be asked before formulating these positions is if crisis management techniques, like conventional force movement, have a positive effect on the response to crisis triggers. The aim of this research is to... Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1565/reevaluating-military-strategy-the-effectiveness-of-conventional-deterrence http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1513/quantifying-chinas-influence-on-the-shanghai-cooperation-organization By Abigail Grace - Following the People's Republic of China's "Reform and Opening Up" (gaige kaifang) ushered in by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, China's participation in international organizations has dramatically increased.2 These organizations cover a range of issues, and include institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank. However, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a notable departure from these aforementioned institutions. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was founded... Mon, 05 Dec 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1513/quantifying-chinas-influence-on-the-shanghai-cooperation-organization http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1320/united-states-india-defense-relations-a-strategic-partnership-for-the-21st-century By John Pedro - The uptick in U.S.-India cooperation originated late in the Clinton administration, was carried through the Bush Administration, and has been continued by the Obama Administration's pivot to Asia and recent renewal of the mutual defense framework. I argue that although past relations have been tumultuous, collaboration will continue to grow in the future as a result of converging interests and strategic necessities. India is rapidly growing in influence and power; with 1.3 million active personnel, it is the world's third largest military, and with 1.2 billion people, its largest democracy.1 In... Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1320/united-states-india-defense-relations-a-strategic-partnership-for-the-21st-century http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1235/how-important-are-masculinity-and-femininity-in-the-culture-of-militaries By Ciaran Kovach - This debate raises a further question: just how important a role does sexuality and gender play within modern military culture? In this essay, the roles of masculinity and femininity, particularly in the context of the modern US military culture, shall be examined through a series of issues in military culture related to gender. An issue that will see particular scrutiny is the role and impact of gender roles and gendered behaviour within militaries. The role of debates on biology and sexual orientation, as well as scrutiny from civilian society of military culture will also be used to explore... Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1235/how-important-are-masculinity-and-femininity-in-the-culture-of-militaries http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1591/to-intervene-or-not-to-intervene-the-role-of-humanitarianism-un-approval-and-economic-incentives-in-determning-nato-military-intervention-in-conflict By Megan Nissel - The North American Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded at the outset of the Cold War and served as a collective defense alliance of states in North America and Western Europe against the Soviet bloc. However, following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the role of NATO evolved and the organization began to take part in military interventions. This paper examines the impact of three variables on determining NATO intervention: human rights violations in a conflict, U.N. calls for action, and economic incentives measured in terms of trade. Using a qualitative case study... Sat, 31 May 2014 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1591/to-intervene-or-not-to-intervene-the-role-of-humanitarianism-un-approval-and-economic-incentives-in-determning-nato-military-intervention-in-conflict http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/891/the-international-military-police-and-the-allied-intervention-in-the-russian-civil-war By Christopher T. McMaster - In 1914 Russia was a powerful empire. It constituted a fundamental part of the European balance of power. However, years of bloody and costly war changed the nation by bringing to boil all the inequities and discontent built up under the Tsarist order. By 1917 up to two million men lay dead, with nearly three million more wounded and sick.1 In February of that year the Romanov dynasty was overthrown and a provisional government formed. Unwisely deciding to continue the fight against Germany, that government was likewise overthrown. On November 7, 1917 the Bolsheviks entered the Winter Palace and... Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:12 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/891/the-international-military-police-and-the-allied-intervention-in-the-russian-civil-war http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1187/realism-versus-idealism-at-nuremburg-the-creation-of-the-court By Emma Campbell-Mohn - The creation of the Nuremberg Court following World War II exemplified international cooperation, particularly between the Great Powers: the United States, France, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain. Expounding the benefits of justice and the rule of law, the Nuremberg Trials are often viewed as the pinnacle of Wilsonian idealism. However, further examination reveals the actions of the Roosevelt administration were not derived from a united Cabinet seeking to realize broad principles of humanitarian justice and equality. Instead of being a unified decision based on these values, the reasoning... Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1187/realism-versus-idealism-at-nuremburg-the-creation-of-the-court http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/749/the-military-industrial-complex-in-the-united-states-evolution-and-expansion-from-world-war-ii-to-the-war-on-terror By Aminata M. Kone - After World War II, the United States military gradually came into a position of overwhelming dominance in the world. Military spending in the United States far outpaces that of other countries, with their world share of military expenditures at 41% in 2011, followed by Russia and China with only eight and four percent respectively (SIPRI 2012). This has been the case since the Second World War and has been justified in different ways over time. The arguments for continued military dominance have ranged from “long-term economic gains” at the start of the war (Shoup and Murray 1977,... Mon, 26 Aug 2013 08:50 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/749/the-military-industrial-complex-in-the-united-states-evolution-and-expansion-from-world-war-ii-to-the-war-on-terror http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1605/commercial-interests-political-influence-and-the-arms-trade By Nicholas Taber - Given the importance of the global defense trade to geopolitics, the global economy, and international relations at large, this paper examines the political economy of the U.S. defense industry. The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which the U.S. arms trade is driven by commercial interests. This study hypothesizes that an increase in the political influence of the U.S. arms industry leads to any increase in arms exports. Using the congruence method, this study observes campaign contributions in given years from defense corporations with the largest market shares. While strong... Fri, 31 May 2013 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1605/commercial-interests-political-influence-and-the-arms-trade http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1610/the-states-struggle-to-master-asymmetrical-warfare By Joe Wisniewski - The only way to truly study asymmetrical warfare is to take into account its long history. Thus, this paper utilizes a dataset that contains almost two hundred wars fought since 1817 in order to measure the relationship between the duration of asymmetrical war and the state's chances of victory. The results showcased little difference in the state's percentage of victory for short and medium length wars. For wars over three years, the chances of victory for the state plunged by thirty-one percent. This "three year switch" fits into existing models on how terrorism is effectively evolving to combat... Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1610/the-states-struggle-to-master-asymmetrical-warfare http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/705/yue-feis-different-goals-and-ideals-in-the-chinese-song-dynasty-960-1279 By Alexander E. Hopkins - Perhaps the preceding dynasty can offer clues to this unusual turn of events. Prior to the Song dynasty, the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was a militarily powerful dynasty that expanded China’s geographic territory to roughly the same extent as the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 CE). Unlike the Tang, however, Song leaders focused more on expanding their domestic economy, which favored the arts and educated scholar officials. Yue Fei’s military background, coupled with his insistence on conquering enemies and expanding the Song territory, was more akin to the preceding Tang dynasty. Since the main... Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:29 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/705/yue-feis-different-goals-and-ideals-in-the-chinese-song-dynasty-960-1279 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/697/napoleon-bonapartes-peak-of-military-success-ulm-and-austerlitz By John T. Allsbrook - Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military minds in the history of warfare. When Napoleon Bonaparte launched into a long series of wars known as the “Napoleonic Wars” with Europe in 1799, he was determined to extend the territorial boundaries of France and its revolutionary borders. Historians view the “Napoleonic Wars” as a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, which had significant impact on all of Europe and revolutionized European armies. With the modern creation of mass conscription, the French Empire quickly grew, as... Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/697/napoleon-bonapartes-peak-of-military-success-ulm-and-austerlitz http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1217/when-should-the-us-intervene-criteria-for-military-intervention-in-weak-countries By Robert Keohane - The first question is: what is a weak country? What do I mean by saying, “intervening in weak countries?” A weak country is a country not capable of preventing a United States invasion, where we can successfully at least take over key cities. So we are not talking about China or Russia, we are not talking about Brazil, or South Africa. This does not rule out the possibility, of course, that weak countries can use violence to inflict high costs on the United States. In earlier generations, Vietnam was a weak country. The United States, in a sense, intervened in Vietnam. The Vietnamese... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1217/when-should-the-us-intervene-criteria-for-military-intervention-in-weak-countries http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1225/militarization-of-aid-and-its-implications-for-colombia By Ian King - Military training can include lessons on human rights practices as well as teaching respect for international law, both of which typically yield positive results.14 The US government can also provide incentives to follow its message of promoting democratic ideals by refusing assistance to governments known to engage in corruption. In 2005, the State Department denounced certain parts of the Colombian Armed Forces because of its known cooperation with corrupt rightwing paramilitary forces.15 This incentive to promote human rights stems from the Leahy Amendment, which prohibits the US government... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1225/militarization-of-aid-and-its-implications-for-colombia http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/531/comparing-counterinsurgency-tactics-in-iraq-and-vietnam By Christopher Millson - “An insurgency is an organized, protracted politico-military struggle designed to weaken the control and legitimacy of an established government, occupying power, or other political authority while increasing insurgent control.”[i] Insurgencies often conduct guerilla warfare because it is necessary. During these movements the insurgents want power to flow out of the government and into their own hands. An insurgence uses four tactics in order to obtain its goal. The first is Provocation, an attempt to push the government to take an action that it normally would not want. The second... Mon, 23 May 2011 09:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/531/comparing-counterinsurgency-tactics-in-iraq-and-vietnam http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1263/natos-dilemma-asset-specificity-and-the-challenge-of-securing-afghanistan By Safwan B. Shabab - On the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's founding, Afghanistan provides a unique opportunity for the alliance to prove its strength beyond Europe and combat global security threats from terrorism and instability.2 But despite proving its early critics such as John Mearsheimer wrong during the 1990s, NATO's credibility is once again on the line – Afghanistan is proving to be a difficult test of the alliance's political will and military capabilities.3 NATO's mission – the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has been marred by a lack of collective... Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1263/natos-dilemma-asset-specificity-and-the-challenge-of-securing-afghanistan http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/73/army-girls-the-role-of-militarization-in-womens-lives By Kelly J. Bell - Women’s exclusion from the military was used as an argument against women’s suffrage in the early 1900s (p 7, Enloe, 2000). Women who depend on the military for their livelihood are stereotyped as prostitutes; “in the late twentieth century, women who have been mobilized to serve the military’s needs are still vulnerable to the stereotype of camp follower—dispensible, disreputable—no matter how professional their formal position is in the military” (p 40, Enloe, 2000).  These women are sexualized by the military as a way to keep them in the margins... Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:25 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/73/army-girls-the-role-of-militarization-in-womens-lives http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/10/the-american-military-and-the-press-from-vietnam-to-iraq By Joshua R. Keefe - “News is something someone wants suppressed,” British newspaper baron Lord Northcliffe once said. “Everything else is just advertising.” This point is especially true in war journalism where every story, be it a heart-warming depiction of troops handing out candy to local children or a gut-wrenching depiction of the horrors of war, can be construed as propaganda. Militaries of countries that protect the freedom of the press know that it is through the press that their performance, whether a success or a failure, will be conveyed to the people they represent. In today&rsquo... Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:50 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/10/the-american-military-and-the-press-from-vietnam-to-iraq http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1303/the-case-for-americas-continued-superpower-status By Dennis Shiraev - Is America really in decline as a global superpower? We examine current arguments for America's economic decline and argue that a purely economic analysis is insufficient for evaluating a country's status as a global superpower. Our comprehensive definition of superpower incorporates military strength, internal stability, and the global attractiveness of a state's culture and ideology that it presents to the rest of the world. America is the only state fitting of this comprehensive definition of a superpower in the 21st century, while all other states frequently cited as emerging global powers... Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1303/the-case-for-americas-continued-superpower-status http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1094/a-new-red-peril-an-analysis-of-chinas-role-in-the-21st-century By Sarah Bradbury - The results of reform speak for themselves. In 1978, China’s share of world trade was half a percent. Within only years of entering the world economy, China’s economy has overtaken Japan’s and is predicted to be greater than the US’s within 20 years. It has witnessed real GDP growth rates of 8% and above since reforms were started, and during the period between 1990 and 1996 growth averaged 12.6%. Economists and the Chinese reformers have identified their huge dearth of potential in natural resources and man-power. Consequently, foreign investment is now flowing... Sat, 01 Jan 2000 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1094/a-new-red-peril-an-analysis-of-chinas-role-in-the-21st-century