Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America's House in Order

Haass, Council on Foreign Relations President, has a simple message for America's policymakers: we have seen the enemy and it is us. Or, to quote directly: "The biggest threat to America's security and prosperity comes not from abroad but from within." Haass devotes the first half of this short book de-scribing how, in post-Cold War years, the world changed but the U.S. "position relative to others was unavoidably diminishing." To continue to act as if the status quo works is foolish, he concludes. He notes real, emerging external threats, but the key message is thus: the U.S., "while in a unique position to do some valuable things in the world, cannot do everything." Haass methodically lays out possible actions, from "humanitarianism" to "restoration", and corresponding arguments for each alternatives' success or failure. Although he is prone to making sweeping statements, ("the country's engineers grade U.S. infrastructure%E2%80%A6somewhere between a C at best and a D at worst"), his sources are trust-worthy. However, while Haass lists steps toward positive change for the U.S., his solutions center on "politics" and require "real leadership," leading one to think that he is looking for solutions in an arena that has provided few superheroes. (May)