Written by a team of academic experts, many with military experience, the book contains scenarios and case studies, including the Gulf War, the Falklands War, 'Ground Zero' in New York City and more conventional theatres of war through history, as well as cyber-terrorism, the role of military contractors and unmanned weapons systems.

A former army officer, Dr Deane-Peter Baker specializes in military ethics and also teaches and writes on strategic studies and public policy. Now a Senior Lecturer at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Dr Baker taught previously at the US Naval Academy and has held Visiting Fellowships at the US War College and the Triangle Institute for Security Studies (Duke University).