The urbanization of warfare has necessitated the kind of precision targeting that only small arms can deliver. Weapons not often seen on the battlefield can prove useful, even indispensible, in an urban setting. This expert reference guide examines in detail the most successful small arms in use and how changes in warfare have affected how those weapons are used and have transformed the small arms industry. Professional soldiers, law enforcement officers and students and researchers of small arms will gain a working knowledge of the most common and successful urban combat weapons (including some currently in development).

Few lessons are as prevalent in military history as is the adage that tanks don't perform well in cities. The notion of deliberately committing tanks to urban combat is anathema to most. In "Breaking the Mold: Tanks in the Cities," Ken Gott disproves that notion with a timely series of five case studies from World War II to the present war in Iraq. This is not a parochial or triumphant study. These cases demonstrate that tanks must do more than merely "arrive" on the battlefield to be successful in urban combat. From Aachen in 1944 to Fallujah in 2004, the absolute need for specialized training and the use of combined arms at the lowest tactical levels are two of the most salient lessons that emerge from this study. When properly employed, well-trained and well-supported units led by tanks are decisive in urban combat. The reverse also is true. Chechen rebels taught the Russian army and the world a brutal lesson in Grozny about what happens when armored units are poorly led, poorly trained, and cavalierly employed in a city. The case studies in this monograph are high-intensity battles in conflicts ranging from limited interventions to major combat operations. It would be wrong to use them to argue for the use of tanks in every urban situation. As the intensity of the operation decreases, the 2nd and 3rd order effects of using tanks in cities can begin to outweigh their utility. The damage to infrastructure caused by their sheer weight and size is just one example of what can make tanks unsuitable for every mission. Even during peace operations, however, the ability to employ tanks and other heavy armored vehicles can be crucial. "Breaking the Mold" provides an up-to-date analysis of the utility of tanks and heavy armored forces in urban combat. The U.S. Army will increasingly conduct combat operations in urban terrain, and it will be necessary to understand what it takes to employ tanks to achieve success in that battlefield environment.

In the years since 9/11 Special Forces of many nations have been in almost constant action in covert, high risk operations around the globe. These include the two long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting nationalist insurgents and jihadist terrorists, as well as other lesser known operations. The weapons used by SF are a constant source of interest and speculation, as are SF training, methods and vehicles. The armories of these elite units have developed rapidly to meet their demands and the ever more sophisticated threat. They include for example suppressed piston-driven carbines, programmable grenade launchers that airburst behind hidden enemy and sniper rifles of extreme accuracy and range. This highly researched book gives the reader a privileged insight into this secret world exploring the custom-built weapons that operators carry on capture/kill missions in the 21st Century.

This manual provides guidance for the organization, planning, and conduct of the full range of military operations on urbanized terrain. This publication was prepared primarily for commanders, staffs, and subordinate leaders down to the squad and fire team level. It is written from a Marine air-ground task force perspective, with emphasis on the ground combat element as the most likely supported element in that environment. It provides the level of detailed information that supports the complexities of planning, preparing for, and executing small-unit combat operations on urbanized terrain. It also provides historical and environmental information that supports planning and training for combat in built-up areas

Timeless lessons from the military strategies of the ancient Greeks and Romans In this prequel to the now-classic Makers of Modern Strategy, Victor Davis Hanson, a leading scholar of ancient military history, gathers prominent thinkers to explore key facets of warfare, strategy, and foreign policy in the Greco-Roman world. From the Persian Wars to the final defense of the Roman Empire, Makers of Ancient Strategy demonstrates that the military thinking and policies of the ancient Greeks and Romans remain surprisingly relevant for understanding conflict in the modern world. The book reveals that much of the organized violence witnessed today—such as counterterrorism, urban fighting, insurgencies, preemptive war, and ethnic cleansing—has ample precedent in the classical era. The book examines the preemption and unilateralism used to instill democracy during Epaminondas's great invasion of the Peloponnesus in 369 BC, as well as the counterinsurgency and terrorism that characterized Rome's battles with insurgents such as Spartacus, Mithridates, and the Cilician pirates. The collection looks at the urban warfare that became increasingly common as more battles were fought within city walls, and follows the careful tactical strategies of statesmen as diverse as Pericles, Demosthenes, Alexander, Pyrrhus, Caesar, and Augustus. Makers of Ancient Strategy shows how Greco-Roman history sheds light on wars of every age. In addition to the editor, the contributors are David L. Berkey, Adrian Goldsworthy, Peter J. Heather, Tom Holland, Donald Kagan, John W. I. Lee, Susan Mattern, Barry Strauss, and Ian Worthington.

In a world where the institutions we rely on can suddenly fail, where society’s fragile fabric can unravel, and where collapse—whether through conflict, natural disaster, or systemic breakdown—becomes a reality, we face a choice: to succumb to the chaos or rise above it. Surviving the Collapse is not just a manual for surviving the worst—it’s a guide to leading, thriving, and rebuilding in the face of destruction. Surviving the Collapse is for the citizen defenders, the leaders, and the communities who refuse to be defined by the collapse of the world around them. Drawing from hard-learned lessons in history, the principles of warfare, and the indomitable human spirit, this guide offers not only the tactical and practical strategies needed to navigate life in a fractured society but also a vision of hope and empowerment. It emphasizes the strength found in resilience, unity, and leadership, inspiring readers to not only endure but to become the architects of a new, more just and resilient order. This handbook covers essential topics such as small arms proficiency, guerrilla tactics, urban and rural defense strategies, and intelligence gathering in hostile environments. From securing resources and fortifying defenses to establishing local governance and managing psychological resilience, this guide offers clear, actionable advice for those facing a world without order. It addresses real-world scenarios where conventional systems of support no longer function, and the only option is to rely on one's training, adaptability, and community. Whether you are already living through a societal breakdown or preparing for an uncertain future, Surviving the Collapseprovides the tools and mindset to face the chaos head-on, rebuild what was lost, and create something stronger in its place. It’s a call to action for those who understand that surviving isn’t enough—true strength lies in the power to rebuild and thrive. Surviving the Collapse is built on practical field-tested strategies, taking a no-nonsense approach to staying ahead of threats, maintaining operational discipline, and ensuring survival in extreme conditions. Whether defending urban spaces under siege, conducting rural survival operations, or organizing citizen defense units, this book is an indispensable resource for those who seek to lead in moments of crisis, for the protectors of communities, and for anyone who wishes to understand how to turn collapse into opportunity, this book is your guide. You are not just a survivor. You are a builder of tomorrow.