First published 2004
Clyde Prestowitz examines how America became the world's primary rogue nation through its rejection of international cooperation. He traces the historical roots of American unilateralism and demonstrates how the Bush administration amplified this tendency beyond all previous limits. In the half year before September 11th, the United States abandoned treaties on small arms control, the Kyoto climate agreements, bioterrorism prevention, and numerous other international accords. Following the attacks, brief coalition efforts gave way to perceptions of Afghanistan as America's solo war, with Tony Blair offering support from the margins. Iraq reinforced global views of American isolationism. Prestowitz shows how unilateral impulses drive policy across critical domains including trade, economics, arms regulation, energy, environmental issues, narcotics enforcement, and agriculture. The book reveals how America acts against international law, established customs, and its own strategic interests precisely when multilateral cooperation has become most vital and the risks of isolation most severe.
Genres: international-relations, american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism
Setting: Afghanistan, Iraq
Period: September 11th
352 pages · Paperback · Basic Books