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Summary: Excellent case against THIS invasion.
Review: Pollack spends nearly the last third of the book building an strong case against the invasion now. The serious threat to the safety and security of America is way beyond Iraq. "It would be best to hold off on plans for an invasion until al-Qa'ada is iradicated." He calls regime change in Iraq a
distraction from the war on terriorism. Further, he states a successful invasion of Iraq will require the support of Egypt, and general stability among the other Arab nations. Pollack identifies the central problem in the mid-East is not Iraq or Saddam, but the Israeli-Palestinian bedlam. This book, taken as a whole, is not the case for US invasion of Irag now. It is a strong argument that President Bush may become the biggest April Fool in history.
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Summary: One of the Most Insightful Books Ever
Review: Whether you are dovish, hawkish; liberal, or conservative; whether you oppose or support a war to oust Saddam, this book is detailed and highly informative. Kenneth Pollack's detailed information clearly makes the case for invading Iraq and isn't in any way biased. Pollack attacks every argument against war - the erosion of containment, why covert operations won't work, the dangers of deterrence, and more. Pollack enlightens the reader as to Saddam's true threat, and provides insight as to why the casualties in war may be worthwhile when you consider the casualties that have come under Hussein's dictatorship. Anyone who has doubts about the war, or just wants to become more informed about why we are going to war or, should buy this book. The immense knowledge, incorporated with hundreds of citations to back up the facts, will enlighten you and greatly expand your knowledge about Iraq. This book is definitely worth every penny it costs.
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Summary: "Expertise" is not the same as "wisdom".
Review: Expertise does not always produce wisdom, whether or not there is a definite agenda. Pollack has expertise and an agenda -- without the wisdom and honesty required to make the case compelling. For example, can we trust casualty discussions when he uses knowingly low and outdated figures for Iraqi civilian deaths "by sanctions" (the US admitted to about 500,000 children under age 5 already by 1996) and neglects detailing the US active role in withholding many medical necessities after bombing 7 of 8 major damns and water purification plants? He plays down casualties of the first war - both theirs and 'ours' with nearly a third of our veterans on disability as well as nearly 11,000 of our troops dead from toxics and depleted uranium. Nor is he entirely forthcoming about the different war on their homeland and in cities that might well claim many more American lives. His focus does not, of course, require discussion of terrorism in the US in response to invasion. There is no wisdom without honest perspective! The case for democracy in Iraq is patently absurd! The US has never done it, no one knows how to impose democracy, Iraq is not a 'unitary' state like McArthur's Japan with the Emperor in place, military results in Afghanistan are certainly no political victory in this regard. Nor is it at all clear that the US would want democracy when controllable friendly autocrats and dictators have always been prefered. Except perhaps on invaders the chemical and biological weapons are of little use without terrorist cells that would have been used before now if Saddam were not primarily interested in his own survival - our defenses were lower before 9/11 and there was plenty of motive after the first war. Ignore that the Anthrax came from the US - both when used here and a strain held by Saddam. Nuclear weapons are no threat to the US with missiles that barely travel over 100 miles (except for those who include Israel as the 51st state?). In a short review one can not thoroughly counter each argument of a long book. The greatest strength of the book is that it does - however onesidedly - draw out details of the case. This is the strength and also the weakness of Pollack's book. It is not only about oil, but strategy and hegemony. Opponents who point out Cheney will get richer rebuilding Iraq fields as he and his company did in Kuwait, don't look ahead far enough. Oil is a serious issue both because of huge needs growing and the unrealiability of Saudi supply in the future. The US needs to find solutions to the three biggest problems of policy: nuclear proliferation; terrorism; secure oil and water supplies -- none can be done unilaterally or even by brazen military means alone. Pollack's case, and the administration's, largely ignore the real issues and rush to military solutions that make problems ultimately worse from immense disorder and blowback. They nuture conditions and hatred for more terrorists too. This unilateralism is revolutionary change in foreign policy when multilateralism is more needed than ever however frustrating this may be to the world hyperpower. Pollack does not see that far and 'buys' a military solution to what is not primarily a military problem. I don't think he is able to 'sell' it.
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Summary: Dove or Hawk, this is the Book to Read
Review: If you only read one book about (what appears to be) the pending invasion of Iraq, let this be the one. Kenneth M. Pollack lays out his case in three parts. Starting with Part I, Iraq and the United States, he clearly lays out the our history. Historically, the US involvement in the region has been minimal in comparison to France and England. The US did not exist during the crusades, did not colonize north africa and the mid east, and recognized modern day borders that define the mid east after they were drawn by Winston Churchill and Gertrude Bell, both British citizerns. Ironically, it is the US that is today the symbol of all that history in which it played no (so little) part. Pollack pulls no punches as he outlines the many mistakes made by the US in its dealing with Saddam. Through his eyes you can see the workings of intelligence, the disagreements, the miscalculations, the reassessments, and how international priorities are set, disgarded, and reset. He thinks that the US misunderstood just who Sadaam is; he thinks that Sadaam misunderstood just who the US is. Part II, Iraq Today, and Part III, The Options, he lays out the case for the invasion. Containment has not worked. This book does not blame Democrats, nor does it blame the Rebublicans for where we find ourselves today. Pollack acknowledges mistakes and miscalculation were made by both. He does blame the perifdy of the French, Chinese and Russians, who "not only walked away from the committments they joined the international community in making in 1990-91 but actively worked to undermine them." If you want to be convinced that invasion is the right thing to do, then read this book. If you want to understand how we got here, then read this book. If you just need to know more than the headlines about this impending confrontation, then read this book.
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Summary: So that's what this is all about!
Review: As a New Zealander watching the world's events unfolding from afar, it became imperative to understand what the options are for the situtaion the world faces over Iraq. Pollack has written a lucid series of well-thought through essays that explore all the options. He has then linked them together to provide the obvious conclusion. For all those interested in the topic and needing the facts to debate the issues, this is a must read!
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Summary: A Must Read for Anti-War Proponents
Review: If you have any doubt as to the necessity or legitimacy of an American invasion of Iraq, those doubts will be utterly vanquished if you read this book. As a CIA analyst of Iraq and Saddam for the past 15 years, Pollack is in a unique position to enlighten us regarding events both inside and outside Iraq, Saddam's "not so secret" goal to acquire WMD, and the political and economic events that have transpired since 1991 that have made the policy of containment a pipe dream. Pollack also objectively analyzes the pros and cons of the various strategy options, such as containment, deterrence and regime change. You will fully understand why the current policy of containment is not working and actually solidifies Saddam's horrifying grip on the Iraqi people. More forcefully, he provides critical insight into the very real potential conseqences of taking no action to stop Saddam. The possiblities are terrifying. Regardless of the reader's position on the impending war, this book is an authoritative and insightful explanation of the macro political evolution that has brought the world to this point. If you have not read this book, you will not be sufficiently informed to truly weigh the merits of the issue of invasion.
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Summary: Great Book!!
Review: I bought this book after seeing an interview with Mr. Pollack on the Charlie Rose show (PBS). I must say the book is well written, VERY informative, and it's obvious, Mr Pollack knows his stuff. My only negative comment is that certain parts of the book are a bit repetitive. The book should be required reading for ALL AMERICANS. Skip CNN, MSNBC and get the true information and inside story of the relationship between Iraq & the United States.
Rating:
Summary: Coherent, Informed, Convincing
Review: The author is very informed about his subject (see the jacket cover for details and check other references). He gives a coherent and convincing case why, unfortunately, we will be required to invade Iraq at some time. It looks like that time draws closer. The overview of Iraqi history, and the Middle East for that matter, is very good. It brings you up to speed very quickly and reminds you of all the tidbits you may have heard over the past several decades. The logic behind why we must invade, possible ways of doing it and ways of cleaning up afterward are very persuasive and comprehensive. It is not often that the general public gets to see such "reports". It was interesting that only one film was mentioned in the book -- "Black Hawk Down". If you check my review of that film, you will see that I think it is one of the best and most realistic war films of all time. The author cites it for its accuracy about having to fight in large cities in particular. The book kept my attention like few history books do. Most of the ones I read take effort to get through. This one was like a fast-paced action thriller. As some have said, this book is the starting point for discussions about Iraq. I agree, as do several others that I recommended the book to and who read it. No matter which way you lean, this book will certainly help you make more informed choices.
Rating: 
Summary: I Don't Care!
Review: I don't care how persuasive an argument Mr. Pollack makes in his book, I disagree completely with this war in Iraq. I think our country's attention is being diverted from the real issues facing America today. People should be getting away from the blow-em-up mentality and getting more into personal empowerment using the works of great authors such as Clint Arthur, whose "9 Free Secrets of New Sensual Power" is creating love and intimacy for thousands of people here in America, whereas George Bush is merely creating death and destruction for millions.
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Summary: why inspections can't work
Review: Superb book, exhaustively researched. Like a breath of fresh air: fact-based, not opinion-based. Likely to anger ideologues on both the left and right. Wish a few facts from the book were being more widely appreciated. The most salient: Number of U.N. inspectors in Iraq: 119 Number of Iraqi agents available to stymie inspections: 500,000 (1.3 million, if military included) Iraq is the size of: Texas Earth to protesters: Saddam Hussein runs a police state. He has more than enough room and resources to stymie the U.N. indefinitely. This is a man who has started 2 disastrous wars and killed millions of people - historical fact, not opinion. He has never adhered and will never adhere to international law. The U.N. can pass all the resolutions it wants, and Saddam will always view them as obstacles, not obligations. Since effectively evicting the U.N. inspectors in '98, he has had years to develop strategies to outwit them. And he will always have the U.N. vastly outnumbered in his own country. I repeat, this is not opinion: this is historical fact. (Pollack's book is, among other things, a wonderful capsule history of Iraq, the surrounding region, and Saddam himself). It is so easy, from the removed comfort of our Western democracies, to scream "No War" and feel righteous. I defy anyone to read this book and conclude that war is not the most humanitarian - in fact, merciful - response to the horror that is Saddam Hussein. Pollack points out that Saddam's dedication to developing nuclear weapons has only become MORE central to his strategy since the Gulf War and Desert Fox in '98. And if he gets one, Pollack offers several likely targets. Including Tel Aviv and the Saudi oil fields (where a well-placed strike would cause worldwide recession). Not to mention the very real possibility of his sharing such a weapon with Al Qaeda to use against the U.S. It shocks me that any well-informed person would want to risk a nuclear-armed Saddam Hussein. A vote against war is, unfortunately, a vote to give Saddam more time to develop weapons of mass destruction. Calling Bush a "terrorist" and/or equating him with Saddam, regardless of your political views, is a factual impossibility after reading this book and learning of the very real miseries Saddam Hussein has inflicted on his own people. Similarly, viewing a possible war against Iraq as an obsession of an oil-mad President Bush not only ignores history, but ignores common sense. War is always a terrible risk, here more so than ever. Of course oil is a factor. Security of the region (and the freedom of millions of Iraqis) is a far more important and overriding one. The fate of the Kurds, the role of the French, everything's covered here. And unlike "insta-books" against the war which are sprouting up like weeds, this one is the result of 16 years of expertise. I've blathered enough. Read the book. Join the informed minority. Fight the nonsense.
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