After a brief interlude following the Cold War, nuclear weapons have regained their prominent place in world affairs. Yet our current nuclear age will not be a replay of the Cold War. New technologies, changing political contexts and the death of old arms-control agreements mean that today's nuclear strategists have to navigate unchartered waters filled with fresh perils. Unfortunately, the consequences of failure in the nuclear world can be catastrophic. The immediate imperative today is to lower the possibility of nuclear weapons use during a crisis or conflict involving nuclear powers. While deliberate or pre-emptive nuclear use is less likely, the rising danger of our time is that nuclear weapons will be employed due to some combination of miscommunication, misjudgment, misperception and sheer accident. The Sheathed Sword: From Nuclear Brink to No First Use is a collection of essays by leading scholars and practitioners on the role of nuclear weapons in global security. The contributors examine how individual states view nuclear weapons, the devastating effects of nuclear war on the world's climate and the issues around nuclear no first use. They also debate the feasibility and desirability of a global no-first-use (GNFU) agreement.

"Sword Imperatives is a beautifully written book with captivating stories, clearly described movements, photos, and illustrations." The Chinese double edged sword is known in martial arts traditions as the king of blades. It is regarded by both scholars and martial artists as the most distinguished of all weapons. Sword ownership in ancient China represented power, prestige and rank. Sword Imperatives is the authoritative reference book dedicated to the proper and effective use of the double edged sword. Whether you practice sword for health or for martial arts, you will find this book the foremost guide to mastery in sword skills. With practice, you will be able to move the sword in perfect balance and harmony like an agile phoenix twisting and turning effortlessly with grace and power. This book includes: * Brief philosophy and history of sword development * 29 essential sword movements and drills * Green Dragon Kung Fu Sword routine * 32 Posture Tai Chi Sword routine

An engaging overview of imperatives and a close examination of how different theoretical traditions have tried to explain them.

Military forces have long been the arbiters of national security and continues to be at the vanguard of assuring the sovereignty and stability of a nation. This is an enduring fact. However, in the past few decades, the role of the military forces have undergone an evolutionary change and now spans a much broader spectrum of activities than ever before. Accordingly, the responsibilities placed on the military forces, especially in democratic nations, have also undergone an upward revision. These changes have altered the status and stature of military forces. This book analyses the changing position of military forces and their relationship with other elements of national power vis-à-vis the need to ensure national security. The analysis is carried out in great detail—starting with a discussion of national policy, grand strategy and their connection to the military forces and ending with a discussion of the status of military forces in the national security calculus. It is arranged into five independent sections that contain twenty chapters. The Sword Arm examines the hypothesis that irrespective of the broad definition of national security that is prevalent in modern times and the whole-of-government approach that most democracies have adopted to ensure the security and safety of the nation, military forces continue to be at the vanguard of national security initiatives. On the other hand, democratic nations have a proclivity to sideline the military forces in times of relative peace, which could be detrimental to the overall security of the nation. The book critically investigates this dichotomy and suggests that in 21st century democracies, military forces need to be strengthened to ensure the security of the nation.