The Falklands War is one of the few modern wars between two modern adversaries (in this case, Argentina and Britain).  The war was over the Falkland Islands, off of the southeastern coast of Argentina which Britain held and Argentina claimed.

General Leopold Galtieri, leader of Argentina, decided to act because he needed something to justify his military government.  He launched Operation Azul to successfully capture the islands.  Margaret Thatcher, leader of Britain, decided to respond militarily.

• Air War: Operation Black Buck (UK) conducts air raids against Argentinean targets.  Argentina attempts to respond with its own air force but fails.
• Sea War: ARA General Belgrano is sunk by the HMS Conqueror (the first and only nuclear submarine kill in history).  The HMS Sheffield is sunk by an Exocet missile.
• Ground War: SAS conducts successful raid against Pebble Island Airfield.  Main Royal Marines force lands in East Falkland Islands and defeats Argentinean defenders at Goose Green, Top Malo, Mount Harriet, Two Sisters Ridge, Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge, Tumbledown.  British retake capital city of Stanley.  Argentina surrenders.

For more information, read:
http://www.naval-history.net/NAVAL1982FALKLANDS.htm
Military History Magazine (April 2002): Blood and Mud at Goose Green
http://www.falklandswar.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.falklands.info/history/82timeline.html
http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/sg1.html
Telegraph.co.uk

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), also known as Saddam's Qadisiyyah, the Holy Defense, and the Iraqi-Imposed War, had a devastating effect on both participants.  The war features many attacks and counterattacks, though in the end, nothing changed.  Some causes of the war include:

• Khuzestan Border Dispute
• Struggle for Middle Eastern Supremacy
• Sunni vs. Shiite Schism
• Shatt al-Arab Waterway Dispute
• Iranian-sponsored assassination attempt against Tariq Aziz (Iraqi minister)

Iraq's invasion of Iran went well at first.  With technological and tactical superiority, the Iraqis were able to retake the waterway and much of Khuzestan.  However, thanks to Iran's powerful air force and its motivated militias, the Iraqi offensive was stopped.  In 1982, Operation Undeniable Victory took back much of what was lost for the Iranians.  In fact, the Iranians even went on a counter-offensive and invaded Iraq.  However, they were stopped at Basra thanks, in part, to chemical weapons.  Then, the Iraqis counterattacked and pushed the Iranians back to pre-war borders.  A ceasefire was agreed upon and the war ended.

Both sides had been supported by foreign powers, including the United States and the Soviet Union. 

For more information, read:
How to Make War by James Dunnigan
The Presidency of George Bush by John Robert Greene
http://www.jonhs.net/freemovies/iran_iraq.htm
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/iraniraq.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran-iraq.htm
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/ops/war/docs/3203/
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/arming_iraq.php
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/airforce.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/airforce.htm
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20950607-1702,00.html

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine

Nader Shah was the founder of the Afsharid Dynasty of Persia, lasting from 1736 to 1747.  During this time, this "second Alexander" returned Persia to its Sassanid-era borders.  After pushing the anti-Safavid Afghan invaders out of Persia, Nader invaded Afghanistan and took the cities of Kabul, Kandahar, and Lahore.  In the western theater, Nader Shah gained many cities from Ottoman Mesopotamia, including Najaf, Karbala, and Basra.  However, he was stopped at the walls of Baghdad.  In the Eastern Theater, Nader Shah defeated the Mughals decisively at the Battle of Karnal.  From here, he continued on into Delhi, where he indirectly killed 30,000 civilians and took many crown jewels, including the Peacock Throne (valued at $1 billion dollars now) and two 180+ carat diamonds. 

Nader Shah also conquered Oman and Bahrain.  He founded the modern Persian Navy.  He even tried to reconcile Shiite Islam and Sunni Islam but failed.  Upon his assassination in 1747, the Persian Empire descended, once again, into chaos. 

For more information, read:
http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-225443
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/afsharids/afsharids.php
http://irane-man.tripod.com/NaderShah.html

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine

Niccolo Machiavelli was a political and military philosopher around 1500AD in Florence, Italy during the Italian Renaissance.  His name is associated with shrewd, cunning rule.  His most famous work, The Prince, features many tips for princes to conquer territory (whether it is decentralized, or centralized):

• Destroy the previous hereditary line
• Attack the strong, leave the weak
• Act unilaterally
• Live in the conquered territory
• Send in colonists rather than soldiers
• Commit all crimes simultaneously

Machiavelli's perfect "Prince" has a military background and extensive knowledge in history, specifically military history.  The Prince should cultivate a loyal local militia, rather than having to rely on mercenaries or auxiliaries.  Large military campaigns should be conducted frequently in order to distract the populace.

For more information, read:
The Prince by Machiavelli
The Art of War by Machiavelli
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/500403.html

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine