War of Necessity, War of Choice: A Memoir of Two Iraq Wars

by Richard N. Haass

Book Overview

According to foreign policy expert Haass, the first Iraq war following Saddam's invasion of Kuwait was both necessary and well-executed. The second Iraq war, the author argues, was a war of choice, as unwarranted as it was poorly conceived and implemented.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416549021
• ISBN13: 9781416549024
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Not Surprising

I give it five stars because it's good, interesting, well written, is full of very unique information, and has a lot of clear thinking on the War of Iraq that isn't completely marred with the pundits on both the left and the right. However, there is nothing new in this book, except it's most basic thesis of comparing the differences between the first Iraq war and the Second, and even that has been done in smaller form before. This book has a lot in it, but most of all, it no longer lets anyone claim that the second Iraq war was anything but a war of choice, and truly a bad choice, since four thousand soldiers died, our country has gone in debt, and all the sympathy we had for 9/11 turned to hatred for what they see as crimes against humanity. Go figure. This book, written by Richard N. Haas, goes in depth and behind the scenes of the thinking process between both wars. Giving us a clear picture of why we went on both occasion, he enforces his hypothesis with a clear and purposeful vigiliance, that makes the writing of this book very important. Iraq one, was a war of necessity, the destabilizing of Kuwait would not have helped America, and would've allowed Saddam Hussein stronger foothold in the Middle East, not to mention the massacre of thousands upon thousands that would've occured. In this present war, though Saddam Hussein was a tyrant to his own people, he posed little threat to anyone else, and almost none ot America. This book was what was needed January 2003, not today. Hindsight being twenty-twenty does us no good. We should be angry, but we won't be. We should be mad, but we're not. We should do a lot of things, but we won't. But one thing we can do is read this book, and make sure history, for once, doesn't repeat itself.

A Compelling Revelation on the True State of the Previous and Present Iraq Wars

The author of this book, Richard N. Haass gives the reader a compelling insight on the Iraq Wars. Where the first war was what he called a "War of Necessity", the second war he considered a "War of Choice". He breaks down the factors leading to both wars. Although both wars happened under a President Bush, that is where the similarity ends. For both wars where different in their context and objectives. I will not go to elaborate details on the causes of the war where it is now a public knowledge. What is worth noting is the circumstances leading to both Iraq Wars. The first Iraq War was waged under the pretext of protecting US national interest in the Persian Gulf. Here the author clearly illustrates the "necessity" of this war to prevent a tyrant from gaining sole control of Persian Gulf oil. This war was waged with overwhelming international support --both from muslim and non-muslim states. The objective was met with the minimum of casualties both US and international. Although Saddam has retained his authority over Iraq, the initial objective of liberating Kuwait was achieved. The second Iraq War was waged under the pretext of preventing a tyrant from acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction. The US entered the war with a wide objective and limited international support. Although the "major combat operations" has ended quite early, the mounting casualties in the US alone far surpassed any war it has been involved in since the Vietnam War. Richard N. Haass , although not belonging to the top echelon of close people to Pres. Bush, was involved in vital policy-making towards the conduct of events leading to the war. He opposed the war from the onset because of poor intelligence and limited support. The book entails the blunders that the Bush administration made in this war. Aside from the huge financial aspect, we cannot discount the 4,000 men and women who gave their lives in this war. As the author states, the second Iraq War was a "war of choice where it was the most significant discretionary war undertaken by the US since Vietnam". And at a staggering cost. Richard N. Haass has written a concise book for people interested in American foreign policy-making. It keeps the public aware, regrettably, that not all people in the administration, particularly the President, can come up with sound decision in the conduct of war. Alternative options was not fully utilized and the outcome can be devastating in terms of lives and resources.

War of Necessity, War of Choice - a Compare and Contrast of two Epics in Our Time

Richard N. Haass, gives his view from the inside of two Bush administrations regarding the two wars that have come to define our current era in world affairs. He does a complete compare and contrast of Dessert Storm and the steps that got us to that war and compares that to what was behind the decision making regarding Operation Iragi Freedom. Of course it is easy to tell by the cover he views the second as a 'War of Choice,' and he tells us why from his point of view, rather convincingly. I would recommend this book mainly because it is not a 'tell-all' diatribe with the emphasis on running down anyone. Richard Haass does not have a bone to pick, he is stating facts from his perview. We get some of the reasons why Colin Powell removed himself from the Bush administration the way and the time that he did. He quotes Richard Clarke, but unlike Clarke, he is not vitriolic in his blaming of anyone, he leaves that type of conclusion to you. Now the head of the CFR, he mentions that there is a time for war. And he clearly outlines what defines that time in our day and age today. Many of the issues we face in the USA today as a country are due to our handling of the second Iraq war. He alludes to the Project for a New American Century report that mentions going to war with Iraq at some time in the future, yet, does not follow through on who was deeply involved in this. Seemingly, the decision to go to War with Iraq was a Fait Accompli, predetermined, possibly and Haass does a great job of showing the prima facie evidence without harsh criticism, just plain facts. If you want to get an insider view with a clear but less bitter perspective, you can get the facts with War of Necessity, War of Choice.

Profound insight into recent American history

"War of Necessity, War of Choice" by Richard N. Haass is a memoir that provides valuable lessons about the decision making processes surrounding the two Iraq wars. Although one might expect a somewhat dry style of writing from a person who has honed the fine arts of diplomacy and policy making, Mr. Haass' perspective is consistently interesting and occassionally surprising. The book serves as a valuable tool for students, historians and general interest readers who wish to gain profound insight into recent American history. As one of only a few people working at a high level within the administration during both Iraq wars, Mr. Haass is well-positioned to compare and contrast the two conflicts. Mr. Haass shares the methodologies he used to assess the myriad foreign policy challenges that confronted the two Bush administrations, including how he played an active role in developing strategy and engaging in dialogue with international statespeople. Drawing from these experiences, Mr. Haass concludes that the first Iraq war was a necessity whereas the second was a poor choice that has resulted in a number of adverse long-term consequences for the U.S. in terms of its prestige and power. Mr. Haass provides insight into the personalities of a number of key people, helping us understand more about how they reached decisions; among them, two people are held in the highest esteem. Mr. Haass respects president George H. W. Bush, Sr. for his maturity and conviction during the Gulf War, which he regards as a good decision that was essential to stabilizing the international community in the wake of the Cold War. Colin Powell is praised for his fortitude in trying to steer a moderate course of action prior to the second Iraq war, although he argues a bit unconvincingly that the Secretary of State made the best possible choice (including his ill-fated presentation on the floor of the United Nations) given the flawed nature of the intelligence available to him at the time. Mr. Haass has decidely mixed opinions about some of the others who occupied the inner circle of power. The author lauds George W. Bush for his knack for quickly sizing up people's intentions while remaining very critical of the president's decision to initiate the second Iraq war. Mr. Haass writes that his friendship with Condoleeza Rice became strained as she grew ever more ideologically rigid and closed ranks with the president. On the other hand, it must be said that Mr. Haas paints a rather grim and sinister portrait of Dick Cheney, whose cynical demeanor could be glimpsed during rare moments in the first Bush administration and was later allowed free reign when he assumed the office of the vice president. Mr. Haass also seems particularly resentful that Mr. Cheney's office assumed outsized powers, recklessly bending the decision making process to his vantage in favor of war and to the detriment of others who were recommending alternative solutions to the Iraqi problem. Mr. Haass c

A Brilliant Personal Memoir

This is an important memoir of the two Iraq wars. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, was a member of the National Security Council advising President George H.W. Bush on Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. He was later a State Department adviser to Colin Powell on the second Iraq war in 2003. He viewed the first war as a "war of necessity" that we had to wage to evict Saddam Hussein from Kuwait; he viewed the second war as a "war of choice" where the objectives kept changing. In both roles, Haass sought to speak truth to power. In the second case, power didn't listen when he urged that we defer the invasion and give smart sanctions a chance to work. The book is a poignant personal memoir as well, as Haass ties his connection to powerful historic events with dramatic changes in his own life--marriage and career decision. All who lived through this cataclysmic period should read this highly readable and riveting book.