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War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict provides insights for those involved in the design of military strategy, and the forces that must execute that strategy. Emphasizing the impacts of technology, new era strategic competition, demography, and climate change, Mick Ryan uses historical as well as contemporary anecdotes throughout the book to highlight key challenges faced by nations in a new era of great power rivalry. Just as previous industrial revolutions have advanced societies, the nascent fourth industrial revolution will have a similar impact on how humans fight, compete, and build military power in the twenty-first century. After reviewing the principle catalysts of change in the security environment, War Transformed seeks to provide a preview of the shape of war and competition in the twenty-first century. Ryan examines both the shifting character of war and its enduring nature. In doing so, he proposes important trends in warfare that will shape all aspects of human competition and conflict in the coming decades.The remainder of the book analyzes how military institutions must prepare for future competition and conflict. Competing and engaging in combat in this new era involves new and evolved strategies and warfighting concepts, as well as adapting our current military organizations. It will also demand building an intellectual edge in military personnel through evolved concepts of training, education, and development. As the competitive environment and potential battlefields continue to change, conceptions of combat, competition and conflict must also evolve. Mick Ryan makes the case for transforming how Western military institutions view war in this century.

Over the past decade, Australian academics and policy makers have been forced to readjust their thinking about Australia and how it might secure its interests in a changing world. The re-emergence of China as a powerful player in Australia's region, as well as the developing strategic competition between the United States and China has driven a reassessment of national security and defence policies. Adding to the complexities of national security planners, this 'contested world', is now potentially at the start of a new industrial revolution. The revolution is underpinned by connectivity, biotechnology and silicon-based technologies, including artificial intelligence. This revolution will inevitably result in changes in how Australian governments evaluate national security, defence policy and the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). While this will have many implications, one of particular note will be the necessary transformation in the intellectual preparation of military leaders to adapt to, and excel in, this changed geopolitical and technological era.