Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World Hardcover – June 16, 2020

This is a difficult book to review, first because its scope is immense, and at times overwhelming. It is an amazing accomplishment in that there are very few individuals with the breadth and length of experience of a Bob Gates. Moreover, there are equally few individuals with the ability to analyze the facts with a relatively unbiased view of the politics and individuals involved. [For the record, I am a centrist, currently a registered Democrat but formerly a registered Republican. And there was no opinion that Mr. Gates expressed in this book which offended me, although I certainly did not agree with all his views.]The second reason that this book is difficult to review is that it is really two distinct books, one more successful than the other. The less successful portion comprises the majority of the book, which generally discusses US foreign policy since the end of the Cold War through the present. The reason that this section is less impactful is twofold: somehow at the same time it presents too much and two little detail. Too much in that it overwhelms the reader, and especially so for those who have previously read multiple treatments of the same events. OTOH, too little in that it leaves the reader wondering about issues that are not so well known, and just briefly touched upon here no doubt because of length constraints.The more successful section of the book consists of the beginning through the Exercising Power chapter, combined with the Lessons Learned chapter at the end. Together these two sections provide an extremely useful framework with which to evaluate foreign policy in general and US foreign policy in particular. These two sections are why I give the book a five star rating. It is no overstatement that this framework alone makes the book a worthwhile read. And I certainly hope those in our government do so.Overall, I believe that Mr. Gates could have vastly improved this book had he focused on this framework, and then selected various well-known foreign policy decisions with which he was familiar as EXAMPLES of good or bad choices considering the alternatives available at the time, and GIVEN HIS FRAMEWORK. I believe that this approach would have had more impact than the more shotgun approach he actually took, which comes across as a regurgitation of everything that happened from 1991 to the present.Perhaps Mr. Gate chose his approach for political reasons -- to provide both "good" and "bad" examples for each of the US Presidents he discusses. I certainly hope that readers don't require such accommodation. In any case, regardless of the presentation, this book deserves five stars. It's just a more difficult and less interesting read as is. But no less valuable.

This is a great book. The author, Bob Gates, provides an easy to understand analysis of how the United States effectively, or ineffectively, used various forms of power to achieve foreign policy goals. The book is apolitical and the author gives credit where it is due while also highlighting presidential mistakes, regardless of political affiliation. His main thesis is that the government, too frequently relies on military power while continuously neglecting soft power.He first defines the various forms of soft power. These include diplomacy, economic leverage, cyber capabilities, development assistance, communications, intelligence, alliances, science and technology, culture, ideology, the private sector, religion, nationalism, and courageous leadership.The remainder of the book consists of case studies on Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, North Korea, China and others. In each chapter, the author makes some rather obvious assessments of how the US failed to achieve its goals. In some instances, he highlights the government’s reluctance to fully utilize its advantage in soft power areas such as the private sector and religion. In one case, he notes how President George W Bush made remarkable achievements in lesser known endeavors. His failure to effectively communicate these successes, however, essentially nullified the good that could have been achieved.Bottom Line: This is an extremely well written analysis of American influence. The writing style is easy to follow and the book moves quickly. Most importantly, the author makes his points in a way that is easy to understand.

Like his other two books, From the Shadows and Duty, Gates delivers an informative analysis of recent foreign policy issues that have plagued this country for the past 45 years.

The author has an extensive background in service to this great country of ours. Over 50 years in total and also served eight Presidents. The position of Secretary of Defense gave him the expertise in dealing with foreign countries as well as an excellent knowledge of the military. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone in public office or with an interest in how to change the manner in which the US has dealt with other countries....for many years.Being a retired USN Chief Petty Officer, I am familiar with the military aspects of some of his book. But, in perfect honesty, I have never thought too much about all of the repercussions a single act of diplomacy may or may not have. And, Afghanistan...what to say about the US and its involvement there?Some of the countries that the author covers are: Iran, Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Columbia (a success), North Korea, China, Libya, Afghanistan and Syria...to name some of them. A plethora of information within each of these chapters. North Korea and the manner in which 4 different presidents have dealt with it was incredible to read. Their threat is powerful...I loved the solution he provided...Power and its definition, diplomacy and economics are also delved into deeply. The question that is answered by the author ...or as he says 'will take a stab at' is in several parts of the power equation. Should the US change the manner in which it exerts its global presence? Should we rely so heavily on military power or can diplomacy be used more? Just a couple of the questions to which he provides his expertise.One thing that I really liked was that the author puts blame where blame is due and praise when it is appropriate. I feel he has presented a non partisan and unbiased book which is not seen too often lately... At the conclusion, he has notes and references listed.Most highly recommended. Lots to learn in this one from a man who has served our country for over 50 years and had a most distinguished career..

Outstanding - by far the best book on US politics for many years.Essential reading and study for future US Presidents.

Interesting to read about how policy decisions were made in the White House from someone who was involved with them. It gives good context about the various events and shows where he thinks mistakes and successes were made and by whom (including his own mistakes - which is refreshing). He also shows how other countries, such as Russia and Iran have furthered their influence because they’ve made better policy decisions than the West.

著者のRobert Gatesは、冷戦時代の後半から半世紀余りにわたってアメリカの中央情報局CIAを中心に安全保障関係、政府、大統領府に勤務し、フォード大統領以来の計8人の大統領に仕えた。とくにレーガン大統領からトランプ大統領までの6人には、CIA最高幹部ならびに国防長官などとして間近に勤務した高官である。時代は、ソビエト連邦崩壊による冷戦の終了、世界唯一のスーパーパワーたるアメリカの時代を経て、ロシアの不気味な再興、中国の台頭、周辺にはテロリズムやイラン、北朝鮮など新しい脅威の簇生など、世界は大きく変化し、複雑化した。この書では、そのような動きも速く錯綜した世界で、自由と民主主義を牽引する立場のアメリカの歴代大統領が、なにを考え、どのように決断をしてきたのか、その成功や失敗から、今後のアメリカのトップたちが、どのような教訓を見出すべきかを記したものである。著者がもっとも主張したいことは、軍事力以外の国の力であり、その行使の手段である。この書ではInstruments of Powerを国の力の行使の手段とし、Nonmilitary Instruments of Powerすなわち非軍事的パワー行使手段の重要性を説いている。アメリカは、とくに第二次世界大戦後は、戦闘Battleにおいて負けたことがないにもかかわらず、ベトナム戦争は結局敗戦であり、イラクやアフガニスタンの長くて終わりのない辛い戦争でも勝利には至らなかった。戦争に勝利するためには、軍事的に勝利するだけでなく、非軍事的パワーの行使で勝利することが必要だというのである。典型的には、ソビエト連邦との長い冷戦にアメリカが勝利したのは、軍事戦争ではなく、まさに非軍事的パワーの勝利であった。しかしアメリカは、冷戦に勝ったあと、非軍事的パワーの蓄積とその行使において努力を怠り、本来最後の手段であるべき軍事力行使を安易に早くから使ってしまう傾向があり、本当は重要で必須な非軍事的パワーの蓄積と、それを有効に使う能力が劣化してきたというのである。軍事力は究極的な防衛力であり非常に重要ではあるが、とくに直接自国の防衛でないところで行使するには、細心の注意が必要である。護ろうとする国にしっかりしたリーダーがいるのか、現地の治安を維持できる見込みがあるのか、現地が自由と民主主義を求めているのか、現地に民主主義を建設する土台はあるのか、などを事前に確認する必要がある。アメリカはこれまで、問題のある相手国に対して体制転換を試みることがあったが、体制を変えたあとのプランはあるのか、新しい体制下に妥当なリーダーを据えて、維持できる見込みがあるのか、などを事前によく検討したうえでなければ、そんなことを開始すべきではない。国家建設Nation Buildingなどという作業は、莫大な資源と時間を要するのである。アメリカは、自由と民主主義のリーダーとして、世界に対して大きな責任を負うからこそ偉大なのであり、その責任は結局大統領にかかってくる。大統領の発言はとても影響力が大きく、実行する決意と準備なくして、レッドラインとか、最後通牒などを、決して発してはならない。重要な指摘には、McMasterが著書"Battlegrounds"で指摘していることと重なるものも多いが、Gatesは政治の中核から見た、その意味でより俯瞰的で広い視点からの考察であると言える。著者は、世間がこれまでレーガンとG.W.ブッシュに対して、過少評価であったと指摘しているのが興味深い。H.R.McMaster"Battlegrounds",2020.9とほぼ同じ、2020年6月発刊なので、1年半前の書籍である。時事に関わる内容なので、たとえばアフガニスタンからのアメリカ軍撤退や、ロシアのウクライナ侵攻など、状況が変化した部分もあるが、多くの内容は臨場感をもって理解でき、とても迫力と説得力がある。著者が大統領たちを直接身近に見て、話して、その決断の現場に居合わせたという、現代史の一次情報を豊富に含む点でも、貴重である。

Readily turned the pages while on the treadmill. Mr. Gates reflections were excellent. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter when he was talking about the future role of Americans on the world stage. More diplomatic efforts are needed before military intervention. As a Canadian I don’t believe America should have to be the global police force. It’s time for Russia and China to step forward to make this world a better place. America will have to start rebuilding alliances that the last president destroyed.

This is a comprehensive and instructive overview of American power, it’s limits, it’s uses and abuses. It’s a long slog, but fills in dozens of gaps in many of the events that made history over the last few decades.