What are the primary political, economic, and military drivers of conflict in the post-Cold War international system? Richard K. Betts, a prominent scholar in security studies, compiles a rigorous selection of foundational and contemporary texts to examine the shifting landscape of global violence. By integrating historical analysis with modern strategic theory, the volume provides a framework for understanding why states and non-state actors engage in conflict and how peace might be sustained.

This text is widely regarded as a standard academic reader for students and practitioners of international security. Its structured approach to complex geopolitical debates makes it a foundational resource for those seeking to understand the mechanics of modern warfare.