Useful Enemies: When Waging Wars Is More Important Than Winning Them

by David Keen

There are currently between twenty and thirty civil wars worldwide, while at a global level the Cold War has been succeeded by a "war on drugs" and a "war on terror" that continues to rage a decade after 9/11. Why is this, when we know how destructive war is in both human and economic terms? Why do the efforts of aid organizations and international diplomats founder so often? In this important book David Keen investigates why conflicts are so prevalent and so intractable, even when one side has much greater military resources. Could it be that endemic disorder and a "state of emergency" are more useful than bringing conflict to a close? Keen asks who benefits from wars--whether economically, politically, or psychologically—and argues that in order to bring them successfully to an end we need to understand the complex vested interests on all sides.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Reference, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2012

Reviews

[Yana Shevkirova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my university course. I found it quite interesting and easy to read. It is full of facts, (which sometimes might get overwhelming) and it is difficult to make a difference between the main point and the example. However, every single line was worth it. It develops a clear picture of the double games, lies, interests, etc.
Really leaves you with the bitter conclusion that money makes the world go round/wrong.
Absolutely fantastic!

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of examples of world leaders and supposed enemies working together to manipulate citizens to each gain incentives, is overwhelming. Semantics (i.e. “innocent civilian” and “terrorism”) are used to justify violence against particular people. International aid entering conflict zones are (mis)managed by whatever group gets control over those resources, which serves as motivation for continued war for continued aid, and control/violence of particular people. The U.S. has an “economic dependence on military production and the various vested interests in war” so staying in a state of perpetual emergency against an “evil” enemy is good and necessary for the economy. Rich countries create or enter into conflict on the soil of poor countries to keep shame away from their citizens and to encourage their short-term memory of the violence their country has participated in. One thing I found interesting but not shocking was the lack of women in the examples. I can’t help by wonder if world conflict would lessen if women were at the helm of military, economic and general power decisions.

[Michael Sasorith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had valuable information, and it was intriguing to read. I enjoyed the last few chapters the most.

In some of the chapters, the information would jump from country to country to lay out examples of each reason of why countries or groups of people start wars. Although I understand that it was a way to connect dots and show that each reason was not isolated to a country or region, it was very easy to get lost — especially if you read in little spurts.

The content is obviously heavy, and I feel that it requires intense and focused reading rather than read-before-bed type of reading (which is what I tried to do).

[Menno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keen provides useful insights into the nature and functions of violent conflict, coupled with a tremendous amount of expertise on a range of (civil) wars.
While I find the first chapters to be well-written, the second half of the book is sometimes a bit all over the place. His critique of Western attitudes and actions is valuable but does not come across as well due to the chaotic writing style. Still, would recommend it to anyone interested in critical analysis of conflict.