Ben Connable Books

The report investigates the Iraqi Army's collapse in 2014, attributing it to a lack of will to fight. It explores historical contexts from the Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, and the military advisory period to understand this phenomenon. Key findings reveal that while Iraqi units can be effective, they are brittle and inflexible. Connable emphasizes the need for multifaceted approaches to strengthen their combat effectiveness and offers specific recommendations for U.S. advisors. This analysis also demonstrates the application of RAND's will-to-fight model in military assessments.

The book delves into strategies for deterring and countering Russia's aggressive tactics, emphasizing the need for effective responses in both non-war scenarios and conventional conflicts. It highlights the implications of these hostile measures on target nations and Western alliances, addressing the importance of proactive measures to mitigate their impact.