How have the September 11th terrorist attacks and the subsequent U.S. led war on terrorism impacted American foreign policy at home and abroad? The consistent theme throughout this collection of essays is that September 11th was a watershed event, which sparked a redefinition and reassessment of U.S. foreign policy, governmental institutions, and the public's sense of internal and external security. The Bush Administration's endeavor to remake American foreign policy with an emphasis on a preemptive, first strike doctrine and its attempt to build an internal security apparatus are not only consequential in the war on terrorism, such efforts are challenging the very fundamentals of American political life and its perception throughout the world.

"Preemption and prevention are age-old instruments of statecraft that have acquired new relevance after 9/11 and the U.S. war in Iraq. Striking First provides a variety of expert perspectives on the role of preemption and prevention in the evolution of U.S. strategic doctrine, the internal political struggles that shaped that doctrine, the impact of these changes on American presidential power and legal processes, and their ramifications for the international order and the limits of American power. One cannot comprehend our rapidly changing world without understanding these international and domestic processes, and Striking First provides timely and penetrating insights on these critical subjects."

• Jack S. Levy, Rutgers University

"The alarmed contributors to this book recognize that America's strategic doctrine stands at a critical turning point with far-reaching future implications. One need not agree with all the arguments advanced by the authors to this most timely volume to recognize they tap into vital questions on preemptive war. The volume should contribute importantly to the needed public debate among everyone concerned with thre role of the United States in world affairs." - Charles F. Hermann, Texas A&M University

Autorentext
ROGER COATE University of South Carolina, USA DAVID COHEN University of Akron, Ohio, USA WILLIAM CROTTY Northeastern University, Massachusetts, USA LOUIS FISHER US Congressional Research Service, USA MICHAEL GENOVESE Loyola Marymount University, California, USA CLEMENT HENRY University of Texas-Austin, USA OLE HOLSTI Duke University, North Carolina, USA JACQUES HYMANS Mershon Center for International Security, Ohio State University, USA ROBERT JERVIS Columbia University, New York, USA DREW LANIER University of Central Florida, USA JACK LECHELT University of South Carolina, USA DONALD PUCHALA University of South Carolina, USA DAVID TUCKER US Naval Post-Graduate School, California, USA

Inhalt
Introduction; C.Dolan & B.Glad PART I: US FOREIGN POLICY IN CONTEXT President Bush and the Doctrine of Preemption; C.Dolan US Anti-terrorism Policies in Context; D.Tucker Dealing With Tyrants: When Deterrence has Worked; B.Glad The UN and the Legal Status of Pre-emptive War; R.Coate US Policies to the European Union: The Responses of Old Europe and the New; D.Puchala The US and Iraq: Potential Consequences for Stability in the Middle East, C.Henry Perceiving the Problem: Pursuing Nuclear Weapons or Building Nuclear Power?; J.Hymans PART II: THE POLICY MAKING PROCESS Policymaking in the Inner Circle The Vice President Ascendant in Foreign Policy Decision-making; J.Lechelt George W. Bush and Presidential Leadership; M.Genovese Winning Congressional Support in the War on Terrorism Pre-emptive War, Unilaterialism and US Foreign Policy Elites; O.Holsti PART III: DOMESTIC REPERCUSSIONS The Politics of Homeland Security; D.Cohen The Political and Legal Status of Detainees: Extensions of Presidential Power; D.Lanier The Bush Domestic Agenda: Lessons from Vietnam Expansion of the Presidential War Powers; L.Fisher Implications for Democracy; W.Crotty Broader Implications for the American Empire; R.Jervis Conclusion; C.Dolan & B.Glad