SKU: 9182892473

The Dragons and the Snakes: How the Rest Learned to Fight the West

Sale price$25.24 Regular price$28.04
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.01 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 17 - Jul 22

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Dragons and the Snakes: How the Rest Learned to Fight the WestJust a few years ago, people spoke of the US as a hyperpower a titan stalking the world stage with more relative power than any empire in history. Yet as early as 1993, newly appointed CIA director James Woolsey pointed out that although Western powers had "slain a large dragon" by defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War, they now faced a "bewildering variety of poisonous snakes." In Dragons and Snakes, the eminent soldier scholar David Kilcullen

Just a few years ago, people spoke of the US as a hyperpower-a titan stalking the world stage with more relative power than any empire in history. Yet as early as 1993, newly-appointed CIA director James Woolsey pointed out that although Western powers had "slain a large dragon" by defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War, they now faced a "bewildering variety of poisonous snakes."

In Dragons and Snakes, the eminent soldier-scholar David Kilcullen asks how, and what, opponents of the West have learned during the last quarter-century of conflict. Applying a combination of evolutionary theory and detailed field observation, he explains what happened to the "snakes"-non-state threats including terrorists and guerrillas-and the "dragons"-state-based competitors such as Russia and China. He explores how enemies learn under conditions of conflict, and examines how Western dominance over a very particular, narrowly-defined form of warfare since the Cold War has created a fitness landscape that forces adversaries to adapt in ways that present serious new challenges to America and its allies. Within the world's contemporary conflict zones, Kilcullen argues, state and non-state threats have increasingly come to resemble each other, with states adopting non-state techniques and non-state actors now able to access levels of precision and lethal weapon systems once only available to governments.

A counterintuitive look at this new, vastly more complex environment, Dragons and Snakes will not only reshape our understanding of the West's enemies' capabilities, but will also show how we can respond given the increasing limits on US power.


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 03/03/2020
ISBN: 9780190265687
Pages: 336
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 9.40h x 6.40w x 1.30d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2020 pg. 74
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 9182892473

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 22 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
R
Verified Purchase
Rachel
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Exceeded expectations!
Size: Mini Size
This ball launcher has been the best thing we ever bought. We have a golden retriever who of course, like most goldens, is ball obsessed. I have thrown my fair share. I decided to see if my golden was smart enough to use this so we pulled the trigger. It took 3 days of on an off training and BAM! We are in business! This launcher has been a CHAMP! We've had it a month now and it has survived over and over of constant use. The balls are covered in pure slobber and nastiness but the machine keeps going. We do keep it plugged in and only use it indoors. Sometimes the ball does get stuck but it's easy to push it back through. The only complaint I have, and it's no fault to the company, but we are already on our 2nd pack of replacement balls. Honestly, it's been worth it. I probably should have purchased the bigger size but I didn't want to invest in it if he wouldn't use it. Definitely regretting it now!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Daisy l.
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Doesn’t squeak but the dogs still love them
Our doggies love them!! Very durable! They do not squeak though
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
SES
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
10/10 for my dogs
Color: A.Orange+Blue+Green
super bouncy and fun for my dogs! they love playing with and tossing them around! hard to see in the water tho!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 4
Lightweight Balls
Color: A.Orange+Blue+Green
lightweight but solid. Unfortunately, I can't bring to dog park for my dog to play with as the larger dogs will destroy them. Not for dogs that chew through everything.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Dsmorgan
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun ball
It doesn’t last a whole long time, but she loves it! It’s crazy and it drives her playfulness crazy!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2026

recommand products