Suggested reading for graduate seminar at Columbia on US Role in World Affairs
I'm a graduate student at Columbia University taking a year long seminar called "US Role in World Affairs". Taught by a former US Ambassador, with guest lectures from generals, prime ministers, and lots of policy makers, it is a great course. The professor has asked for recommendations for readings for next semester and I think that something focusing on America's shadow wars, in particular those fought since 9/11, would be a good addition. How is US power being exerted through SOF and other "black ops" around the world, and how does it affect US policy? I've found The Way of the Knife by Mark Mazetti, The Short American Century, a collection of essays edited by Andrew Bacevich, and Washington Rules by Bacevich. I've scanned the reading list on SWJ, and didn't find anything I thought would be topical. Any suggestions?
I've been through the recommended reading elsewhere on the site, but haven't found anything.
To understand the US world role, look outside
murphysl,
It is important that you have some readings from outside the USA, on how the world looks at you - which has greatly changed since 9/11.
So a couple of websites I watch:
a) The Australian Lowy Institute's blog:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/
b) Open Democracy (UK-based, with Europeans) has a global security column:http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity
c) Within OD are Paul Rogers slightly off-centre critiques of US & Western security policy, called 'A report from the South Waziristan Institute of Strategic Hermeneutics' (SWISH) and the latest is:http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-ro...wish-report-23
d) IISS, although global has a strong Anglo-US-EU viewpoint and its regular Strategic Comments are short and sharp:http://www.iiss.org/en/publications/...gic%20comments
Prepared to seek contrary viewpoints try Caged Prisoners, the (MB influenced) Cordoba Foundation and some of the radical left US groups.
I assume you have picked up the debates here that much of US action abroad is without a strategy and is IMHO effectively gaining time for other non-military action and responses. All at a price and risk that the intended effect simply does not happen, e.g. Yemen.