The New American Interventionism

Intervention is as American as apple pie, writes Robert Jervis in the introduction to this book. Illustrating this proposition, twelve authorities draw a general portrait of American military intervention since the end of the cold war by examining specific interventions: Bosnia, Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan, Panama, Haiti, the Gulf War, and South Korea. In the process, this book focuses on the great complexity involved when deciding to enter a conflict; the almost universal circumvention of congressional authority; the ineffectualness of "pinprick" air strikes; and the essentially ad hoc nature of military deployment since the cold war. The New American Interventionism marks the paradox of America's being the sole remaining "superpower" but unable to influence minor powers without the use of force. Exploring these and other questions, the book also speculates on the future characteristics of American intervention.