Iraq Uncensored: Perspectives

The war in Iraq is a divisive issue in the United States, and historians and pundits will spend decades examining the conflict’s causes, conduct, and consequences. Iraq Uncensored, an initiative of the bipartisan American Security Project (ASP), is neither pro-war nor antiwar, but an effort to begin to develop collective wisdom from our experience. Cutting across gender, generational, and party lines, ASP engaged leading figures from across American society to take a fresh look at the war in Iraq and offer unique perspectives on lessons for us to consider about the use of American power in all its forms. With thought-provoking contributions from more than two-dozen military and congressional leaders, members of the media, academics, religious thinkers, and many others, Iraq Uncensored begins an open dialogue about who we are as a people and how we can best achieve our security.

Dr. James (Jim) M. Ludes is the executive director of the American Security Project, a bipartisan national security think tank in Washington, DC. From 2002 to 2006, he was legislative assistant to Senator John Kerry for defense and foreign policy. He previously served as editor-in-chief of National Security Studies Quarterly and co-edited two other books: Attacking Terrorism (2004) and Twenty-First Century Proliferation (2001).

This comprehensive look at lessons from the Iraq war cuts across gender, generational, and party lines.

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up—Although this is not strictly a book for young adults, the length of the essays (most are under 10 pages) and the well-balanced viewpoints make it a good choice for teens looking to learn about the Iraq war beyond the headlines. Sections cover planning for the war, its conduct, the Department of Defense, and the use of national power. Contributors include senators, military leaders, academics, and foreign-policy experts. Many of the essays have a "lessons learned" theme. Those on the lack of real planning for the war and declining media coverage of Iraq would make interesting starting points for discussions on current events. Some of the more technical essays would make good source material for research papers. No end matter is included, other than biographical sketches of the contributors.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

The American Security Project is a nonprofit, bipartisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st-century challenges.