Rogue States and U.S. Foreign Policy: Containment after the Cold War

By Robert S. Litwak

President Clinton and other U.S. officials have warned that "rogue states" pose a major threat to international peace in the post-Cold War era. But what exactly is a rogue state? Does the concept foster a sound approach to foreign policy, or is it, in the end, no more than a counterproductive political epithet? Robert Litwak traces the origins and development of rogue state policy and then assesses its efficacy through detailed case studies of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. He shows that the policy is politically selective, inhibits the ability of U.S. policymakers to adapt to changed conditions, and has been rejected by the United States' major allies. Litwak concludes that by lumping and demonizing a disparate group of countries, the rogue state approach obscures understanding and distorts policymaking. In place of a generic and constricting strategy, he argues for the development of "differentiated" strategies of containment, tailored to the particular circumstances within individual states.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0943875978
• ISBN13: 9780943875972
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Woodrow Wilson Center Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.8" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 22 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Iraq, Iran, and North Korea Through the Eyes of An Idealist

Litwak's analysis of the American designation of "rogue state" is excellent. He systematically critisizes current US policy and clearly lays out alternative policy approaches. This book was surprisingly engaging and is a MUST READ FOR ALL STUDENTS OF FOREIGN POLICY.