Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Preface -- Contents -- Figures -- Tables -- Summary -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- CHAPTER ONE: Introduction -- Crisis Stability and the Rise and Decline of Crisis Management -- Stability Concerns in the Emerging Strategic Environment -- The Role of Force Structure and the Purpose of This Study -- Organization and Approach -- CHAPTER TWO: Crisis Management, Crisis Stability, and Force Structure -- The Nature of International Crises -- The Dynamics of International Crisis: Two Illustrative Cases -- The Cuban Missile Crisis -- The July Crisis -- Crisis Management and Crisis Stability -- The Fundamentals of Crisis Management and Crisis Stability -- The Operational Principles of Crisis Management -- The Concept of Structural Stability -- The Importance of Force Structure -- Attributes Conducive to Structural Stability -- Attributes That Provide Tools for Crisis Management -- Conclusion -- CHAPTER THREE: Attributes of Alternative Strike Systems -- Methods Used in the Analysis of Alternative Strike Systems -- Findings from the Analysis of Alternative Strike Systems -- The Dangers of Close-Based Short-Range Strike -- Non-Stealthy Bombers with Standoff Weapons -- The Effects of Moving Short-Range Strike Fighters Back -- The Effects of Penetrating Bombers -- Airpower Tools for Crisis Management -- The Role of Conventional Missiles in Crisis Management -- Implications for Crisis Management and Structural Stability -- CHAPTER FOUR: Strike Systems and Crisis Stability in History -- Case Selection and Analytical Approach -- Findings of the Case Study Analysis -- National Leaders Rely on Aircraft to Stabilize International Crises -- Long-Range Strike Aircraft Impose a Powerful Stabilizing Force -- Are States That Brandish Bombers Successful? -- Additional Observations and the Refinement of Theory.

CHAPTER FIVE: Building a Force for Crisis Management and Structural Stability -- The Strengths and Weaknesses of Alternative Strike Assets -- Aircraft Are Excellent Tools of Crisis Management -- Ballistic Missiles Have Little to Offer for Crisis Management -- Cruise Missiles Are Important Enablers of Other Crisis Management Tools -- Aircraft Are Potent Weapons of Deterrence, but Old Approaches May Destabilize Future Crises -- Penetrating Bombers Offer Potency Without Excessive Vulnerability -- Putting the Findings into Perspective -- APPENDIXES -- A. Two Illustrative Cases of Crisis Management -- B. Analyzing the Attributes of Alternative Strike Systems -- C. Case-Study Methodology and Data -- Bibliography.