Bibliograph

Confronting Saddam Hussein, George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq, Melvyn P. Leffler

Type

Label

Confronting Saddam Hussein, George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq, Melvyn P. Leffler

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Confronting Saddam Hussein

Nature of contents

bibliographydictionaries

Oclc number

1353818572

Responsibility statement

Melvyn P. Leffler

Sub title

George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq

Summary

"Based on a unique set of interviews and British and American documents, this book examines the motives for the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, examines the decision-making inside the Bush administration, and assesses the reasons for the chaotic, bloody, and costly occupation. The attack on America on 9/11 by al Qaeda terrorists transformed the thinking and actions of Bush and his top advisers. Bush conceived the administration's response. Fear, power, and hubris shaped his approach - fear of another attack; pride in American values; and confidence in America's ability to effectuate change. Worried about another attack on American soil - this time with biological or chemical weapons - Bush turned his attention to Iraq because of Saddam Hussein's history with weapons of mass destruction and because of his record of aggression, brutality, and duplicity. To achieve his goals, the American president embraced a strategy of coercive diplomacy. If Iraq faced a military threat, Bush hoped Hussein would open his country to inspections, relinquish his alleged weapons of mass destruction, flee, or be toppled. When Hussein admitted inspectors yet remained obstructive, Bush denounced the dictator's defiance and believed America's credibility was at stake. Without resolving the ambiguities and inconsistencies in his strategy of coercive diplomacy and failing to assess the consequences of an invasion or to plan effectively for its many contingencies, Bush ordered U.S. troops to invade Iraq. Friction and acrimony within the administration turned the occupation into a tragedy, the consequences of which we are still living with"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Saddam Hussein -- George W. Bush -- 9/11 -- Iraq -- Coercive diplomacy -- A special relationship -- Deciding -- Resolve -- Mission awry -- Conclusion: Fear, power, hubris

Target audience

adult

Classification

Creator