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This course examines the role of adaptation in war. Since it is virtually impossible to predict the exact nature of future conflicts, the military that is best able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances will have strong advantages on the battlefield and a better chance of achieving the strategic objectives of the war. This course starts by developing a framework for understanding adaptation, based on the interplay of doctrine, technology, and leadership. We then examine several modern conflicts, comparing pre-war concepts and training with what happened when the war started and examining the sources of both success and failure. The course concludes by looking forward, examining current debates about what the next big U.S. war will look like, and assessing the extent to which the U.S. military will be able to adapt to an uncertain future security environment.