The Pentagon's New Map by Thomas P.M. Barnett (2005, Paperback, Reprint)

This book was required reading for a seminar I am taking. I probably would have ended up reading it eventually, as I was an enlisted intel spec in the Marines '85-'89 and during the first Gulf "War."

This is perhaps one of the most readable, well informed books I've read in quite some time. Dr. Barnett gives us the reasons that President Bush started us down a good path, but also how the President has failed to follow through in so many ways to make sure that the outcome in Iraq will be positive.

This book is not merely a recitation of Dr. Barnett's theories and conclusions, but is the story about how he came to these conclusions, how he tried to make them clear to the Pentagon and the powers that be, only to have 9/11 make them understand what he had been saying pretty much all along. His top down observations and experience meshed well with my bottom up point of view, even though my experiences are 10 years removed.

As I read the book, as I would come up with a question or objection, he would inevitably answer that question or discuss my objection within pages. Although I still have issues with the war in Iraq (and before you label me a bleeding heart lib, I did my time in the Marines, and I was recalled from IRR status for the first Gulf "war"), but Dr. Barnett gives good evidence and reasoning that the Iraq war *should* be a good thing. I'll leave it to you to read the book and see/decide for yourself where the problems have occured.