Best Military Policy Books of 2026

The Decisive Decade by Dr. Jonathan D.T. Ward provides a comprehensive framework for the United States to defeat China on the world stage. The book offers practical strategies in the economic, diplomatic, military, and ideological arenas that can be utilized by the government, businesses, and citizens. Ward's expert analysis of the history of US-China relations and insight into the Russia-Ukrainian war make this book unique. The book is cautionary and optimistic, showing a path for America and the Free World to win the contest with China. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in international diplomacy and the future of global power.

When China Attacks: A Warning to America is a thought-provoking book that portrays China as an existential threat to America. Col. Grant Newsham, a veteran intelligence officer, provides a well-founded and frightening account of China's growing military skills, intellectual property theft, and influence among American elites. The book highlights the covert war that China has been waging on America and its allies, which could soon erupt into an open conflict with devastating consequences. This book is a must-read for policymakers, military strategists, and anyone interested in international diplomacy and security.

UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record is an impeccably researched book that sheds light on the existence of UFOs and the government's reactions towards them. Leslie Kean, a veteran investigative reporter, reviewed hundreds of government documents, interviewed high-level officials and aviation witnesses, and presents irrefutable evidence of the existence of unknown flying objects. With a Foreword by John Podesta, the book presents a watershed event in lifting the taboo against rational discourse about this controversial subject. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the UFO phenomenon and its impact on governments worldwide.

The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare is an urgent wake-up call about how new technologies are threatening America's military might. Christian Brose, a former senior advisor to Senator John McCain, offers insights on how America can apply advanced technologies to prevent war, deter aggression, and maintain peace. Brose examines threats from China, Russia, and elsewhere, and offers a way for America's military to adapt and succeed with new thinking as well as new technology. This fascinating, yet disturbing book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of emerging technology and national defense.

Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965–1968 is an impeccably researched and elegantly written sequel to the immensely influential Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954–1965. Mark Moyar's book overturns the conventional wisdom using a treasure trove of new sources, many of them from the North Vietnamese side. The book demonstrates that American military operations enabled the South Vietnamese government to recover, and America’s defense of South Vietnam averted the imminent fall of key Asian nations to Communism. This book is a must-read for those interested in Southeast Asia history.

The Origins of Victory by Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. is a must-read for anyone interested in military strategy and innovation. The book explores how disruptive military innovation can determine the fate of great powers and how militaries can successfully adapt to meet the challenge. Krepinevich argues that the US military must pursue disruptive innovation to stay competitive and win the race to identify and exploit the “next big thing” in warfare. This book is a thought-provoking analysis of the changing character of war and the importance of innovation in military strategy.

The Strategy of Denial by Elbridge A. Colby is a Wall Street Journal best book of 2021 that offers a clear framework on how America's defense strategy must change to address China's growing power and ambition. Colby, the lead architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, provides a realistic and practical approach for the United States to prepare for a war with China. This book is a rigorous but compelling reappraisal of America's defense strategy in decades, and it deserves a place in the library of anyone interested in Asian politics and U.S. defense policy.

"Black Hearts: One Platoon's Descent into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death" is a haunting and disturbing account of the descent of a platoon of soldiers into brutality and war crimes during their deployment in Iraq. The author, Jim Frederick, draws on firsthand reporting and interviews with soldiers to deliver a gripping narrative that exposes the fragility of character in the savage crucible of warfare. This book is a timeless story about men in combat, the dangers of poor leadership, and the devastating consequences of war. Overall, "Black Hearts" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the reality of war and its impact on soldiers and civilians alike."

The book "Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety" by Eric Schlosser is a groundbreaking account of the management and safety concerns of America's nuclear arsenal. The book skillfully weaves together an engrossing account of both the science and the politics of nuclear weapons safety. It interweaves the minute-by-minute story of an accident at a nuclear missile silo in rural Arkansas with a historical narrative that spans more than fifty years. Schlosser offers history from the ground up, telling the stories of ordinary servicemen who risked their lives to ensure that nuclear weapons can’t be stolen, sabotaged, used without permission, or detonated inadvertently. Overall, this is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of nuclear weapons and the dangers they pose to mankind.

Alpha: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by David Philipps that uncovers the dark underbelly of America's special forces. The book tells the story of the Navy SEALs of Alpha platoon and their chief, Eddie Gallagher, who was accused of war crimes by his own team upon their return from Iraq. The book is a compelling examination of how soldiers define themselves and live with the decisions made in the heat of combat. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the true stories of American special forces.