Red Line: American Foreign Policy in a Time of Fractured Politics and Failing States

by P.J. Crowley

Over the past quarter century, four consecutive American presidents—two Democrat, two Republican—have spent more time, diplomatic capital, and military resources on Iraq than any other country in the world. Much as the Vietnam syndrome cast a long shadow over American security policy in the decades after the end of the Vietnam War, Iraq provides the commanding narrative for this generation of American leaders. In this book, former Deputy Secretary of State P. J. Crowley, one of America’s most insightful national security commentators, unpacks the legacy of American triumphs and failures in Iraq . He argues that presidents have fallen victim to the Iraq Syndrome—the disconnect between politics, policy, strategy, and narrative—that has hampered America’s foreign policy in the Middle East and hotspots throughout the world. In order to maintain America’s global leadership role, Crowley argues that the next president must realign American’s national security politics, policies, strategies, and narrative for the long term.

360 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2016

Reviews

[Sharon]

Fabulous. I thought I would be bored, but it kept my attention with all the information pertaining to US foreign policy from Reagan to Obama and what the "next president" (Trump) would face. Crowley, Deputy Secretary of State under Hillary Clinton, was there in the middle of all that went on in the Obama administration. I gained a new respect for our 44th president and what he tried to do under such opposing conditions. Crowley had strong advice for the incoming president, which Don Trump has chosen to ignore. I recommend this highly to anyone concerned about the direction of America under the current administration, and what can be done to keep this country strong for future generations.

[Franklin Cornstalk Jr]

Yes!

[Bob Manning]

P. J. Cowley, a former Deputy Secretary of State, reviews America's foreign decisions over the last 20 years. Most of which was covered in the press, but he did reveal a number of things that affected these decisions that I never saw in the press. I thought that it was clear and concise.