International Military Alliances, 1648-2008

This comprehensive two-volume set offers an unprecedented chronological catalog of every formal military alliance established between nations from 1648 through 2008, creating an essential reference for understanding how international security agreements have shaped global politics across four centuries. The work systematically documents each treaty with individual narratives and summaries, while century-specific chapters use maps and introductions to demonstrate how these pacts influenced regional dynamics and the broader international system. As the inaugural title in the Correlates of War series, this collection stands as one of the most thorough and accessible reviews of military treaties ever compiled, tracing the evolution of diplomatic security arrangements from the Peace of Westphalia to modern times.

What distinguishes this reference work is its methodological rigor combined with clear historical analysis, making complex international relations accessible to both scholars and serious students of political history. The regional focus of the alliance documentation allows readers to trace how security pacts created spheres of influence and power balances that defined entire eras of geopolitical strategy. Military historians, political scientists, and international relations students will find this an indispensable resource for understanding how formal defense agreements have consistently served as the architecture of global power structures throughout modern history.