Governing the military / Andrew L. Stigler.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The military's role : society and Congress -- The peacetime military -- Counterterrorism and drone warfare -- The crucible of crisis -- The decision for war -- Strategic change in wartime -- The task of postwar reconstruction.

"A military is the most significant tool of a nation's foreign policy, and (hopefully) the tool of last resort. Yet the control a civilian leader has over the military is, in many respects, an encumbered and fractured control: The military's organizational culture, role in society, size, and considerable autonomy are potential obstacles to true civilian control over the military even in peacetime. A brief but historically informed text intended for students of the presidency or national security, Governing the Military addresses the gamut of challenges a new US president faces as commander-in-chief"-- Provided by publisher.