Robert J. Pauly, Jr., is Associate Director of the International Development Program, and Assistant Professor of Political Science, at the University of Southern Mississippi, in Long Beach, Mississippi, USA. Tom Lansford is Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Letters, and Associate Professor of Political Science, at the University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach, Mississippi, USA.

• Contents: Introduction: the legacy of the past; US Iraq policy and September 11; The doctrine of preemption; Diplomacy and brinkmanship; A coalition of the willing; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Rebuilding and reconstruction; Conclusion: the future of US Iraq policy; Bibliography; Index.

Prize: Winner of a Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award 2006 ’...a very timely and useful book...Indeed, the authors' clear writing and well-honed arguments make an informative read for the interested public as well. This concise book offers a surprisingly comprehensive view of contemporary US national security policy...a well-organized summary and analysis of US national security policy. In sum, I highly recommend this valuable contribution to twenty-first century national security studies.’ Greg Granger, Associate Professor, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, USA 'Pauly and Lansford have written an excellent and timely examination of the US intervention in Iraq that should become a standard introduction to the second Gulf War...As a history of US policies toward Iraq, the book is a first-rate reference useful to students and policy makers alike...Highly recommended.' Choice 'This is a succinct but authoritative treatment of the evolving nature of the newly announced (2002) US policy of pre-emptive first strike...a quite useful supplement for the array of courses emphasizing national security, foreign policy and international relations.' American Society of International Law Newsletter