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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 2015/02/26 - Revised and updated to take into account new developments in the war against terrorism, the new edition of The Face of the Foe will be released on June 15, 2015, by Legacy Books Press.
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Every nation that goes to war has to create images of their enemy. Through intelligence gathering and propaganda, these images are created and used to drive public support and keep soldiers fighting. At the same time, decision-makers must be provided with clear and incisive information on the opposition at hand. Frequently, these aims are mutually conflicting. Carefully balanced and used with circumspection, these images can lead to victory - but they can also drive armies to disaster and entire nations to atrocity.
In this sweeping and fascinating survey now revised and updated in light of recent developments in the war against terrorism Kjeld Hald Galster, author of Crucial Coalition and Danish Troops in the Williamite Army in Ireland, explores how intelligence is collected and interpreted. Drawing from examples ranging from the Napoleonic Wars to the 2003 War in Iraq to the death of Osama bin Laden, he examines how military intelligence is used to create the face of the foe and what makes it a tremendous success...or a disastrous failure.
The Face of the Foe also explores the following themes:
- How enemy actions are inherently unpredictable, but we can do a lot to narrow down enemy options.
- How thorough intelligence preparation of the battlefield helps tell us about such options for enemy action.
- How the enemy does not necessarily think along the same lines as we do. Historical and psychological insight are preconditions for forestalling hostile surprise.
- How frequently, ideological and religious dogma are important elements of the opponent’s strategic thinking; and
- How invariably, propaganda will be used, not only to persuade the enemy’s own population, but also to undermine our popular support. Internet media are ideally suited for this approach.
“In a perfect world intelligence would allow us to always detect and prevent hostile or terrorist actions, but, facing reality, we know that sometimes we shall have to acquiesce with quick and precise response,” says Galster. “Effective intelligence gathering and analysis are indispensable prerequisites, and it is the duty of us all to contribute, even if this might occasionally infringe upon our privacy or limit our freedom of movement.”
“Churchill said: ‘we are spirits, not animals, and something is going on in space and time, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty, ’” adds Galster. “We cannot be sure what this ‘something’ might be, but it is the duty of our intelligence services to prepare our police and armed forces to confront that potential evil with all the means at their disposal.”
Kjeld Hald Galster holds a Ph.D. in modern military history from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and an M.A. in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada/Collège Mililtaire Royal du Canada. He was educated at: University of Copenhagen; St Catherine’s College, University of Cambridge; Royal Military College of Canada/Collège Militaire Royal du Canada; Royal Danish Defence College; and Royal Danish Military Academy.
Kjeld Hald Galster is a retired senior researcher at the Royal Danish Defence College.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, he lives in West Zealand with his wife. He has held a Queen’s commission in, and has served with, The Royal Life Guards, Denmark; he is trained as a military linguist (Russian) and had served as a military advisor to the Danish Delegation to the OSCE.
Available on June 15, 2015 at bookstores and on Amazon.com.
REVIEW COPIES AVAILABLE
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