Short of War: Great Powers, Naval Interventions, and the Gray Zone Between War and Peace

By Christian Richer

Richer argues that historical cases of great power naval interventions short of war offer valuable insights for understanding modern gray zone conflicts. By examining British naval actions during the Spanish Civil War, U.S. involvement in the early Battle of the Atlantic, and U.S. intervention in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War, the author illustrates how major powers have historically used flexible concepts of neutrality to advance strategic interests without direct engagement in full-scale war. These cases reveal how naval power was employed to influence conflicts, manage risk, and shape outcomes while avoiding escalation. The book connects these historical patterns to current naval challenges in the Black Sea and Red Sea, suggesting that past experiences can inform contemporary policy decisions. Ultimately, the author calls for a more historically grounded understanding of naval strategy in today's contested maritime environments.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H8HT49TB
• ISBN13: 9798892411295
• Release Date: April 2027
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Length: 288 Pages