Confronting Saddam Hussein: George W. Bush and the Invasion of Iraq

The book "Confronting Saddam Hussein" by Melvyn P. Leffler examines why the US chose war in Iraq in 2003 and who was most responsible for the decision. It provides a vivid portrayal of the emotions and anxieties that shaped the thinking of President Bush after the 9/11 attacks and highlights Saddam Hussein's brutality, opportunism, and unpredictability. Leffler emphasizes the harrowing anxieties surrounding the decision-making process and the roles of contingency, agency, rationality, and emotion. The book offers a provocative reinterpretation of the most important international event of the 21st century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 23 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

America's decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 is arguably the most important foreign policy choice of the entire post-Cold War era. Nearly two decades after the event, it remains central to understanding current international politics and US foreign relations. In Confronting Saddam Hussein, the eminent historian of US foreign policy Melvyn P. Leffler analyzes why the US chose war and who was most responsible for the decision. Employing a unique set of personal interviews with dozens of top officials and declassified American and British documents, Leffler vividly portrays the emotions and anxieties that shaped the thinking of the president after the shocking events of 9/11. He shows how fear, hubris, and power influenced Bush's approach to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. At the core of Leffler's account is his compelling portrait of Saddam Hussein. Rather than stressing Bush's preoccupation with promoting freedom or democracy, Leffler emphasizes Hussein's brutality, opportunism, and unpredictability and illuminates how the Iraqi dictator's record of aggression and intransigence haunted the president and influenced his calculations. Bush was not eager for war, and the decision to invade Iraq was not a fait accompli. Yet, the president was convinced that only by practicing coercive diplomacy and threatening force could he alter Hussein's defiance, a view shared by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other leaders around the world, including Hans Blix, the chief UN inspector. Throughout, Leffler highlights the harrowing anxieties surrounding the decision-making process after the devastating attack on 9/11 and explains the roles of contingency, agency, rationality, and emotion in shaping the decision to go to war.

Leffler's book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the decision to go to war in Iraq and its long-term consequences. By examining the personal and political factors that influenced the decision-making process, he provides a nuanced and empathetic account of the events that led to the invasion. He challenges the conventional narratives that have been offered to explain the war and offers a more complex and nuanced understanding of the decision-making process.

One of the most striking aspects of Leffler's book is his portrayal of President Bush. Rather than presenting Bush as a unilateral decision-maker, Leffler shows how Bush was influenced by a range of factors, including his own personal experiences, the advice of his advisors, and the broader political context. He highlights how Bush's fear of another terrorist attack and his desire to project American power influenced his approach to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Leffler also shows how Bush's hubris and his belief in his own infallibility contributed to his decision to invade Iraq.

Leffler's book is also valuable for its analysis of the role of British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the decision to go to war. Blair was a key ally of the US in the lead-up to the invasion and was heavily involved in the decision-making process. Leffler shows how Blair was influenced by his own political interests, his desire to align himself with the US, and his belief in the need to confront Saddam Hussein. He also highlights how Blair's willingness to ignore the advice of his own intelligence officials contributed to the decision to go to war.

Leffler's book is also important for its analysis of the broader political context in which the decision to go to war was made. He shows how the events of 9/11 and the subsequent US response shaped the political landscape and influenced the decision-making process. He also highlights how the war in Iraq has had a profound impact on the region and the world, contributing to the rise of extremist groups, the destabilization of the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict in Syria.

In conclusion, Confronting Saddam Hussein is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the decision to go to war in Iraq. By examining the personal and political factors that influenced the decision-making process, Leffler provides a nuanced and empathetic account of the events that led to the invasion. He challenges the conventional narratives that have been offered to explain the war and offers a more complex and nuanced understanding of the decision-making process. Leffler's book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and controversial history of the Iraq War.

Weight: 690g
Dimension: 243 x 165 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197610770