The War Over Iraq: Saddam's Tyranny and America's Mission

By William Kristol and Lawrence F. Kaplan

Book Overview

As the crisis with Iraq continues, Americans have questions. Is war really necessary? What can it accomplish? What broad vision of U.S. foreign policy underlies the determination to remove Saddam Hussein? What were the failures of the last couple of decades that brought us to a showdown with a dictator developing weapons of mass destruction? What is the relationship between war with Iraq and the events of 9-11? The answers to these questions are found in this timely book by two of America's leading foreign policy thinkers. Kristol and Kaplan lay out a detailed rationale for action against Iraq. But to understand why we must fight Saddam, the authors assert, it is necessary to go beyond the details of his weapons of mass destruction, his past genocidal actions against Iran and his own people, and the U.N. resolutions he has ignored. The explanation begins with how the dominant policy ideas of the last decade--Clintonian liberalism and Republican realpolitik--led American policymakers to turn a blind eye to the threat Iraq has posed for well over a decade. As Kristol and Kaplan make clear, the war over Iraq is in large part a war of competing ideas about America's role in the world. The authors provide the first comprehensive explanation of the strategy of preemption guiding the Bush Administration in dealing with this crisis. They show that American foreign policy for the 21st century is being forged in the crucible of our response to Saddam. The war over Iraq will presumably be the end of Saddam Hussein. But it will be the beginning of a new era in American foreign policy. William Kristol and Lawrence Kaplan are indispensable guides to the era that lies ahead.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893554694
• ISBN13: 9781893554696
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Encounter Books
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

understand the origins of the Iraq war planning

I picked up this book because as the title states I wanted to learn how people in government or at least associated with some people in the government (Wolfowitz is a close friend of Kristol) justify this preemptive war.Whether you agree with the war or not, this book is probably as close as you can get to have an extensive conversation with Wolfowitz about his reasoning for pushing the removal of Saddam through military means. If you think that oil is the reason for the Iraq war and every action by this government is regulated through the Halliburton front office, every page in this book will get your blood boiling. Just as in the official hearings or speeches by government officials, oil is not given as a reason for the war.But if you are against the war and look for weaknesses in the political justification for the war, this book is a reference manual for building your arguments. It details the historical roots of the current government's foreign policy and cites the best examples (in their opinion) why Saddam has to be removed now and not 5 years later.If you support the war, this book may give you additional arguments to support your case or will simply reinforce your opinion.Written by Kristol, who has previously taught political science, and Kaplan, who is senior editor of The New Republic, this book is overall well referenced (contrast that to Ann Coulter's books) and an easy read for people interested in political sciences.

Choosing A Just War Today Over A Destructive War Tomorrow!

The book is a first-rate review of where America has been, is now and will be going to fulfill Professor Strauzz-Hupe game plan. Professor Strauzz-Hupe saw an interdependent world founded on Principles of Free Institutions so individual pursuits can prosper within a community framework as we raise each nation for their own people to prosper with good government created of, by and for them.The authors correctly points out that two oceans no longer protect America. If weapons of mass destruction are given to terrorists from tyrants of regimes such as Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Libya, and Iran seeking to build them today, then escalation of death will only increase and progress cease.The book correctly points out that these regimes of dictators, radical religious cults and narco-drug dealers that use fear or chaos to control their masses can no longer be ignored. If they are aloud to rule and create Weapons of Mass Destruction they will cause havoc on each one of our own pursuits towards happiness under wide opened democracies dependent on the goodwill of educated people to thrive. The author points out, we can no longer stand by and let tyrants be tormenters to weave webs of turmoil so they can plunge the world into backward anarchy to flourish with delight. The time has come to change them before they ruin the world for all of us!The book outlines how each American President has error by not reacting to terrorism only emboldening the terrorists to foster more violence. It includes criticism Of Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II. I might add it also praises all of them except for President Carter (Appropriate As Well), for taking action after making such mistakes including crediting President Clinton.Presidents prefer not to wrestle with preparing a strategy that shifts according to the terrorist's actions and reactions. Thus, the need to change the terrorists and transform the states that sponsor them is the first priority to a brave new world to prosper.Certain Islamic Whabbism believers have been planning revenge dating back to the 7th century since they are too lazy to work, think and provide in the 21st century. European politicians are thinking back to the 20th century since they are incapable of understanding the means necessary of using weapons and strategy being able to decide the safety for the 21st century. As Americans with a growing number of European and Asian visionaries we see the need to act in order to save the world from tyrants sponsoring terror into the 21st century.The alternatives are to do nothing and watch our nation and economic interests retrograde to 7th century thought! Or see our cities ruined with biological, chemical or dirty nuclear bombs by those who hate us no matter what we do. The Western Societies will then react and demand revenge to where our very own leaders will have to be militant aggressors to where the escalation of death will spiral out of control. Thus, the author is saying the need for the "Do

Finally! something that explains the big picture.

This book will give you the back-story. It will delve into the history of our foreign policy in Iraq, the Middle East and the world as a whole. By accurately abridging our foreign policy practices for the past 3 decades it will take you on a ride through three distinct camps of international thinking. Specifically, it will take you through the realist policies of the first president Bush, the liberal approach of president Clinton, and the new president Bush's internationalism.Though it does paint internationalism as an auspicious policy in light of today's events it nevertheless give you the facts that have brought us to our current situation. If you feeling in the dark or if your protesting in the belief that it's all about oil then you will benefit from the contents of this book. Read it with objectivity and then build a case for you stance from the facts presented here.

Read this book at least twice!!

This is an absolute must read, regardless of your postion on the war. Kristol and Kaplan clearly layout the case against Sadaam. They then point out the foreign policy flaws of not just Bush 41 and Clinton but also of pre-9/11 Bush 43. You will more fully understand the philosophy that layed the framework of foreign policy for each president. You will also clearly grasph how President Bush's view of the world has changed since 9/11.Finally, you will be presented with the arguments and facts that form the backbone of our current stance towards Iraq. Even if you do not come to the same conclusion as that of the authors, you will better understand why our country is embarking on a path to the liberation of Iraq.My only complaint is that there are only 125 pages of riveting reading!

The way monsters are born

I would venture to guess that some others who reviewed this book did not read it, but assumed because of its authors it was propaganda. I found it a historical account of how we came to the clear and present danger of WMD in the hands of dictators and madmen who consider the American people their enemy. While it did not explain why they hate Americans it does chronicle years and years of foreign policies that failed in their obligations to protect America.While I did not find it a easy read I would say everyone should read it to understand how we got to this point in time and why we should not and will not take no for an answer this time around!