Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama

Hand-Off provides a detailed look at the Bush administration's national security and foreign policy, declassified Transition Memoranda, and self-critical analysis of the legacy by experts. It is a valuable resource for scholars, students, policy analysts, and general readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 774 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Hand-Off: Unveiling the Bush Administrations National Security and Foreign Policy
The Bush administration's national security and foreign policy, as outlined in classified Transition Memoranda prepared by National Security Council experts, is explored in detail in Hand-Off. These newly declassified memoranda, made public for the first time, offer a comprehensive and first-hand glimpse into the foreign policy legacy that President Bush handed over to President Obama. In a postscript to each memorandum, the same experts provide a self-critical assessment of the Bush foreign policy legacy, reflecting on its impact over the past dozen years as subsequent administrations have grappled with similar challenges.

The memoranda cover a wide range of global issues, including China, Russia, Iran, the Middle East, terrorism, proliferation, cyber, pandemics, and climate change. These persistent challenges continue to shape America's national security and foreign policy agenda. Hand-Off serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, policy analysts, and general readers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the Bush administration's foreign policy, particularly in light of the records of the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.

The memoranda provide insights into the decision-making processes, strategic priorities, and challenges faced by the Bush administration during its tenure. They highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of international relations and the challenges that leaders face in navigating a rapidly changing global landscape. The memoranda also shed light on the impact of domestic politics, public opinion, and international events on foreign policy decisions.

One of the key themes that emerge from the memoranda is the Bush administration's emphasis on preemptive action and the use of military force to address threats to national security. The memoranda discuss the decision-making process behind the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which was based on the belief that Saddam Hussein posed a threat to the United States and the world. However, the memoranda also highlight the challenges and unintended consequences of the war, including the rise of ISIS and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Another significant theme is the Bush administration's approach to international diplomacy. The memoranda discuss the efforts to engage with China, Russia, and other countries to address global challenges, but also highlight the challenges of managing complex relationships and the potential for miscommunication. The memoranda also discuss the Bush administration's efforts to promote democracy and human rights, including the promotion of the Arab Spring in 2011.

The memoranda also provide insights into the Bush administration's approach to cybersecurity and the threat of cyberattacks. The memoranda discuss the efforts to improve cybersecurity and the challenges of protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats. The memoranda also highlight the potential for cyberattacks to be used as a tool of statecraft and the need for international cooperation to address this threat.

In addition to the memoranda, Hand-Off includes a series of interviews with key figures involved in the Bush administration's foreign policy, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick. These interviews provide additional insights into the decision-making processes and the challenges faced by the Bush administration.

Hand-Off is a timely and important publication that provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the Bush administration's national security and foreign policy. It is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the history and impact of American foreign policy in the early 21st century.

In conclusion, Hand-Off: Unveiling the Bush Administrations National Security and Foreign Policy is a valuable resource for scholars, students, policy analysts, and general readers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the Bush administration's foreign policy. The newly declassified memoranda provide a comprehensive and first-hand glimpse into the foreign policy legacy that President Bush handed over to President Obama, and the postscripts offer a self-critical assessment of the legacy. The memoranda cover a wide range of global issues, including China, Russia, Iran, the Middle East, terrorism, proliferation, cyber, pandemics, and climate change, and highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of international relations. The emphasis on preemptive action and the use of military force, the approach to international diplomacy, the promotion of democracy and human rights, and the threat of cyberattacks are all explored in detail. Hand-Off is a timely and important publication that provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the Bush administration's national security and foreign policy.

Weight: 1184g
Dimension: 231 x 160 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815739777