The scale of political and military change in the last quarter-century has been staggering in its quantity, quality, and technologies. Even strategic thought has changed. What is the prevailing picture so far, and what are the anticipated developments? How can nations and peoples defend their interests as long as the Empire dominates international politics in such an overwhelming manner? And how has globalization changed the nature of conflicts?

In the author's view, one of the most difficult issues is understanding the structure of the Empire—its skeleton, arteries, nerves, and especially its brain. He has documented his studies on this subject in a way that reveals its most important components. This research has shown that the Empire extends its economic, military, and technological networks across all continents. However, it also reveals that every point of strength in its joints is accompanied by corresponding weaknesses. The longer and more branched these capabilities become, the more vulnerabilities they entail.

The book concludes: "Our research also shows that the Empire has 'gifted' its adversary, free of charge, a global list of targets it cannot defend. All its arteries and nerves, extending over millions of kilometers, are vulnerable to being pricked, wounded, or perhaps disabled and even eliminated."

The book argues that the theory of the four generations of warfare, detailed by strategic science specialists in the last decade of the twentieth century, is nearing its end, and that a new generation of intellectual systems is ready for conflict and to challenge the Empire—that is, to rebel against it. He concludes: "The nature of the Empire has evolved to become a creature with no end to its authority, no limits to its power, and no competition for its desires. It needs to be reminded that, like others, it has limits." This is one of the functions of rebellion. What protects the giant is not its capabilities, but the weakness of its adversary.

This, of course, means that rebellion is not a random or easy process, especially against such an adversary. The book concludes: "Less than half a century ago, rebellion was an art; today it has become a science. Rebellion was emotion and anger; today it is intellect and cold steel nerves. Rebellion was a social pride; today it is a clandestine activity. ... Despite its weakness and lack of resources, the rebel must win its duels with the Empire and surpass it. Herein lies the secret of fifth-generation conflicts and the methods available within them. And here lies the superiority of the rebel organization... especially since the Empire has a thousand Achilles' heels and a thousand vulnerabilities."

This book presents a new theory in strategic thought, which in some aspects includes methods of rebellion, now that the Empire, with its extensions and the weight of its presence, affects our daily lives everywhere.

• Publishing House: Sharikat Al Matbouat for Distribution and Publishing
• Author: Emile Khoury
• ISBN: 9789953889412
• Number of Pages: 364
• Year of Publication: 2016
• Cover Type: Paperback