Essential Read on Security?

War in Ukraine and Syria, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, militarization of the South China Sea, the migration crisis, terrorism in the European Union, cyber threats, and environmental issues are just few examples exposing both the quantity and the diversity of contemporary security challenges. Not surprisingly, the extent of these security issues has motivated scholars to expand the literature on security by writing books and articles on the theoretical implications, issue-specific security challenges, and the security of particular regions and countries. The textbook by Peter Hough et. al. stands out among the aforementioned literature because it does not limit itself to theory, particular security concepts and challenges or a certain region. Instead, it ambitiously attempts to provide: “students with a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the subject of Security Studies, with a strong emphasis on the use of case studies” (p.2). Not only does the book distinguish itself by its wide scope, but also stands out by its ambition. The authors see their work as an essential read for: “all students of security studies” (p.2). Thus, they perceive it among classic textbooks used for teaching introductory courses on security.