First published 2009
Richard Haass served on the National Security Council under George H. W. Bush and directed policy planning at the State Department during George W. Bush's presidency. He witnessed both Iraq wars from inside the government. Haass argues that the first Gulf War represented a war of necessity while the 2003 invasion was a war of choice. He examines the causes behind each conflict and evaluates the strategies employed. The book combines historical analysis with personal memoir as Haass draws on his direct experience in both administrations. He assesses what worked and what failed in American foreign policy during these critical years. Haass offers lessons for future decision makers about how the United States can better distinguish between necessary and optional military interventions. His insider perspective provides readers with concrete guidance for evaluating foreign policy choices.
Genres: history, international-relations, 20th-century, biography-memoir, 21st-century, military-history, academic, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: insider-perspective, memoir
Setting: Iraq
Period: 1990s, 2000s
353 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon Schuster