Don't Wait for the Next War

August 15, 2014
A retired four-star U.S. Army general and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe offers a manifesto for how his beloved nation can remain a world superpower without necessarily invading other nations.Clark (Winning Modern Wars: Iraq, Terrorism, and the American Empire, 2003, etc.) is a global thinker about matters both military and civilian. In what sometimes comes across as a position paper for a presidential candidate, the author addresses how the United States can find its proper place in the global order before the next war limits the available options. "Today, the United States stands at a fateful crossroads," writes the author. "After two decades as the world's undisputed superpower, we are facing new realities at home and abroad, and it is time to rethink our role and set new objectives and priorities." Clark examines a wide variety of issues, including constructive ways to combat the disruptions caused by terrorism; the importance of dependable cybersecurity so that governments working to better the lot of their citizens cannot be thwarted by hackers; how to shore up a fragile American financial system so that another massive economic collapse does not occur; the necessity of fully understanding the rise of Chinese military and economic power; and how to halt or at least slow down climate change. For the most part, the author is an upbeat advocate and writer, bringing his can-do military attitude to a set of problems away from the battlefield. Clark is forceful and confident in tone, but he also wisely acknowledges that he has relied on many advisers-after all, he notes, military leadership does not always translate well into running civilian governments, nor does it necessarily equate to effective diplomacy and economics.A clearly written prescription to help Americans alleviate their nation's malaise.

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October 15, 2014

The trials the United States has faced since September 11, 2001 and the 2008 financial meltdown endure without clear resolution. After a decade of terrorism, overseas wars, and economic instability, the natural question to ask is: Where do we go from here? Retired U.S. army general and erstwhile presidential candidate Clark (Winning Modern Wars; A Time To Lead) considers the available possibilities. According to Clark, our biggest problem is that ever since the end of the Cold War the United States has lacked a clear, unified national strategy for maintaining its "superpower" status. He argues that brawny militarism alone will not help to solve our foreign policy issues--we need to be engaged strategically with the rest of the world, helping to shape economic development and human rights standards. These efforts will, one hopes, involve people in improving their own lives before they are seduced by terrorism or criminality. VERDICT The issues Clark raises are ones that every concerned (and voting) American ought to consider as we enter the next election cycle. While the prose is a bit dry, the author writes clearly and keeps "policy wonk" language to a minimum.--Brett Rohlwing, Milwaukee P.L.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2014
Retired U.S. Army general and 2004 presidential candidate Clark presents an exuberant vision for American global leadership that would deemphasize, without diminishing, American military preeminence in favor of an economic-muscle approach that leverages American energy resources. In the past, Clark argues, the U.S.'s strategic vision and appetite for international stewardship have been driven by war, or its prospect. Without the focus of war, says Clark, the U.S. has addressed international crises situationally and inconsistently, sowing confusion and resentment and ultimately hindering its ability to achieve its objectives. Most recently, the U.S. has been unfortunately, if perhaps unavoidably, focused on foreign-policy crises in the Middle East instead of following through on its stated intention to pivot its focus toward Asia. The foreign-policy challenges Clark describes are significant, but his tone remains optimistic. Given this optimism, all the policy nitty-gritty, and the frequent references to his own personal experience in the foreign- and energy-policy realms, one could be forgiven for mistaking this book as an expression of presidential ambition (or at least angling for a cabinet position).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)