Command

In the wake of the troubled campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq military decision-making appears to be in crisis and generals have been subjected to intense and sustained public criticism. Taking these interventions as a starting point Anthony King examines the transformation of military command in the twenty-first century. Focusing on the army division King argues that a phenomenon of collective command is developing. In the twentieth century generals typically directed and led operations personally monopolising decision-making. They commanded individualistically even heroically. As operations have expanded in range and scope decision-making has multiplied and diversified. As a result command is becoming increasingly professionalised and collaborative. Through interviews with many leading generals and vivid ethnographic analysis of divisional headquarters this book provides a unique insight into the transformation of command in western armies.