First published 2014
America faces threats from a rising China, climate change, terrorism, nuclear Iran, Middle East turbulence, and reckless North Korea. Richard Haass argues these external challenges matter less than internal problems: mounting deficit and debt, deteriorating infrastructure, failing schools, and broken immigration systems. The Council on Foreign Relations President contends that America's current strategic advantage will disappear unless the country addresses domestic weaknesses first. Haass presents his doctrine of Restoration, which calls for limiting American involvement in optional wars and humanitarian interventions. He examines major policy debates including Syrian intervention, the tension between privacy and security, and budget sequester effects. The book provides concrete recommendations for rebuilding American power and influence while maintaining global leadership capacity.
Genres: international-relations, american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: informed-consent
Setting: America, China, Iran, Middle East, North Korea
Period: 21st-century
224 pages · Paperback · Basic Books