‘In this insightful study of American no-fly zone foreign policies spanning four Presidential administrations, Meibauer explains why contemporary American foreign policy decisions are often sub-optimal. Utilizing an innovative neoclassical realist framework, Meibauer shines a spotlight on the intra-governmental, ideational bargaining that produce ‘muddled policy’ under conditions of uncertainty. As a major contribution to our understanding of state behavior, this is a must-read for international relations scholars and analysts of American foreign policy alike.’ Jennifer Sterling-Folker, University of Connecticut