Over the past quarter century, four consecutive American presidentstwo Democrat, two Republicanhave spent more time, diplomatic capital, and military resources on Iraq than any other country in the world. Much as the Vietnam syndrome cast a long shadow over American security policy in the decades after the end of the Vietnam War, Iraq provides the commanding narrative for this generation of American leaders. In this book, former Deputy Secretary of State P. J. Crowley, one of Americas most insightful national security commentators, unpacks the legacy of American triumphs and failures in Iraq . He argues that presidents have fallen victim to the Iraq Syndromethe disconnect between politics, policy, strategy, and narrativethat has hampered Americas foreign policy in the Middle East and hotspots throughout the world. In order to maintain Americas global leadership role, Crowley argues that the next president must realign Americans national security politics, policies, strategies, and narrative for the long term.

P. J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State and Spokesman for the U.S. Department of State under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appears frequently on national and global television networks. His opinion pieces have been published in a wide range of print and on-line outlets, includingThe Washington Post, theGuardian, and the BBC. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera America. He resides in Washington, DC.

Foreword
Introduction Red Lines and Political Boundaries
1 Reasonable Assurance
2 War Against Al Qaeda
3 Central Front
4 Extended Hand
5 Wrong Side of History
6 Leading from Behind
7 All Wars End
8 The Pivot
9 Someone Elses Civil War
10 Reset
11 A Good Deal
12 Good Enough
13 War Within Islam
14 No Boots on the Ground
15 Incredible Nation
16 A Foreign Policy within the Political Lines
Acknowledgments
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
About the Author