In the post-Cold War world, American policymakers are increasingly turning to “discrete military operations (DMOs)” to resolve problems abroad. Such operations—assassination attempts on dictators, or drone strikes inside Pakistan, for example—are meant to minimize soldier and civilian deaths and limit collateral damage. How successful has the application of limited military force been in achieving American objectives? Micah Zenko will discuss the shortcomings of US military tactics, such as drone attacks and special operations raids, in addressing the challenges posed by today’s global conflicts, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.