| Abstract: | Naval conflict has been less important in the second half of the twentieth century than in the first. Navies have operated in support of armies or as instruments of coercive diplomacy. There has been only one true naval war. Conflict in the Falklands was typical because it was local, limited and unexpected. These are likely features in future, for total war at sea seems so pointless that it could only arise by accident, a risk increased by some naval activities in peace. But the motives and the capacities for local and limited conflict at sea are proliferating. |
