"An important contribution…. The authors clearly and uniquely broaden our understanding of the complexities of urban warfare." —Andrew Michael Bell, Indiana University BloomingtonAvoid cities or die within" has been the prevailing attitude in the military when it comes to waging war in urban areas. So why do armies continue to fight there? What tactical advantages do they seek? What pitfalls do they face, and how can they achieve success?The authors of Small Armies, Big Cities tackle these strategic questions, drawing on a range of cases to explore how today's professional armies can overcome the challenges of—and even find advantages in—conducting urban operations.