Bruce Berkowitz's The New Face of War

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Recommended: Technology influencing war

The ability to disable an enemy force without ever having to fire a single shot – that is the new direction of warfare. Bruce Berkowitz’s The New Face of War: How War Will Be Fought in the 21st Century is yet another book that examines future warfare, not what causes countries will be fighting over or even who will be fighting, but the form of the conflict. Reading his work cover to cover, the message is clear: “To win wars today, you must first win the information war. ” This book is a must-read for anyone working in intelligence or in a position of power that influences our government spending on national security or military operations, because it articulates the importance of information technology on warfare, presents examples of how information has shaped conflicts throughout history, and provides invaluable lessons to leaders at all levels.
Various agencies seek Bruce Berkowitz’s input on information technology on warfare due to his experience. He holds an academic research position at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University and is a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation, a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. He began his career at the Central Intelligence Agency and served as a staff member for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Since leaving government, Berkowitz has combined careers as a widely published author and a consultant to the Defense Department and other government agencies in an effort to deliver the message of the importance of information technology.
Information technology is so important in war today that it overwhelms everything else. Perhaps the prevai...

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... swarming utilize various means of attacking (viruses, Trojans, worms) in order to gain that control over the adversary.
The power to disable an enemy force without ever having to fire a shot might be closer than we think. While no one knows exactly what the future holds, it seems viruses, Trojans, and worms will continue to be used in an effort to attack and disable opposing forces across the world. If the United States wants to remain in an advantageous position in the information war, spending towards cyber security in our nation will have to increase. This book provides an enjoyable start to learning about information warfare, historical examples of how information has shaped battles, and what to expect in the years to come.

Works Cited

Berkowitz, Bruce D. The New Face of War: How War Will Be Fought in the 21st Century. New York, NY: The Free Press, 2003.

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