First published 2020
Robert Gates examines how American presidents have wielded power since the Cold War ended. The former Defense Secretary argues that political leaders have failed to grasp the full scope of American influence and its boundaries. Gates contends that effective power extends far beyond military force to include diplomacy, economics, strategic messaging, development aid, intelligence, technology, ideology, and cyber capabilities. He analyzes specific foreign policy challenges including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Russia, and China. Gates evaluates how leaders deployed available tools of statecraft in each case. He delivers frank assessments of past presidents and their top advisers, drawing on personal experience and insider knowledge. The book argues that America's global standing has declined from dominant leader to seemingly disorganized power. Gates maintains that future national security depends on learning from past mistakes and rebuilding capabilities that misused power has damaged.
Genres: history, political-science, politics, non-fiction, biography-memoir, current-affairs, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: frank-assessments, insider-knowledge
Setting: Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Russia, China
Period: Cold War
752 pages · Paperback · Random House Large Print