War on Peace

A harrowing exploration of the collapse of American diplomacy and the abdication of global leadership reveals a dire transformation in US foreign policy, forever altering America's role in the world. Institutions of diplomacy and development are suffering from severe budget cuts, leading to a mass exodus of diplomats who protect democratic interests globally. State Department offices are increasingly vacant, while the military-industrial complex has taken over roles once held by peacemakers. America is now more inclined to act militarily without thorough consideration. Investigative journalist Ronan Farrow takes readers on an astonishing journey from Washington, DC, to some of the world's most perilous locations, such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and North Korea. His experience as a former State Department official provides a personal perspective on the last standard bearers of traditional statecraft, including Richard Holbrooke, who sought peace in Bosnia and died attempting to do the same in Afghanistan. Utilizing newly discovered documents and insightful interviews with warlords, whistle-blowers, and policymakers—covering every living secretary of state from Henry Kissinger to Hillary Clinton—Farrow makes a compelling case for the endangered profession of diplomacy. He argues that its decline stems from decades of political cowardice and malice, yet it may offer a path out of a world at war.