ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the inheritance of three major kinds of armed forces during the Cold War competition: thermonuclear forces and their potential use, so-called conventional armed forces, and not-so-conventional forces. Critics say the large European-style forces are anachronisms in a world of shadowy, asymmetrical threats. Before assessing the criticisms, it is necessary to describe “legacy” forces and missions from the Cold War, first nuclear forces and then conventional forces, and the residual problems associated with each. In the environment, historical experience has been called into question as the United States seeks to grapple with the legacies of 9/11, especially in the Middle East, where the military problems tend to be unconventional and traditional ways and means of thinking about the use of military force are questionable. Unconventional military forces—or special operations forces—have become the “darlings” of nonnuclear forces among the aware public and many political figures.
