Preventive Defense: A New Security Strategy for America

A former secretary and assistant secretary of defense under Clinton divide threats into those to US survival, of which they see none now; to US interests, as in the Persian Gulf and Korean peninsula; and to US security, as in the former Yugoslavia and parts of Africa. They propose pro-active approaches to keep potential threats from developing into real ones. Perhaps to establish their credentials, they include photographs of themselves in various famous situations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The post-Cold War era is still a dangerous time, and the role and structure of America's armed forces continues to be hotly debated. Perry, the former secretary of defense, and Carter, an assistant secretary of defense under Perry, feel that the United States should now focus its efforts on trying to prevent bad situations from degenerating into costly conflicts that could threaten America's friends and vital interests. Their main themes include helping Russia avoid regressing into a weakened and insecure "Weimar" state like Germany after World War I, improving our perceptions of and reactions to China's growing strength, controlling weapons of mass destruction in newly established states or those being developed elsewhere, and preparing for acts of "catastrophic terrorism." Above all, they argue, we need to keep America's military strong and able to deal with a variety of threats. This all seems self-evident, but many people do not want to spend the time or money to address these important issues. This timely book is recommended.ADaniel K. Blewett, Loyola Univ. Lib., Chicago
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