The Case Against Military Intervention: Why We Do It and Why It Fails

Since World War II, military intervention in developing world internal conflicts (DWIC) has become the primary form of U.S. military activity, and these interventions have proven unsuccessful in places like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This book argues such failure was entirely predictable, even inevitable, due both to the nature and dynamics of foreign military intrusion in the affairs of other countries and especially the DWICs that provide the major contemporary form of potential U.S. military in the foreseeable future. Basing its analysis in both human nature (the adverse reaction to prolonged outsider intrusion) and historical analogy, the book argues strongly why military intervention should be avoided as a national security option and the implications of such a policy decision for national security strategy and policy.

Author: Donald Snow
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 07/20/2015
Pages: 198
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780765647566

Review Citation(s):
Choice 05/01/2016

About the Author
Donald M. Snow is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, where he specialized in international relations, national security, and foreign policy. He has also served as visiting professor at the U.S. Air, Army, and Naval War Colleges and the U.S. Air Command and Staff College. He is the author or co-author of over 50 books and monographs on IR, national security, and foreign policy topics.