America between the wars: from 11 9 to 9 11 : the misunderstood years between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the start of the War on Terror

When the Berlin Wall collapsed on November 9, 1989— signaling the end of the Cold War—America and the West declared victory: Democracy and free markets had prevailed and the United States emerged as the world's triumphant superpower. The finger-on-the-button tension that had defined a generation was over, and it seemed that peace was at hand. The next twelve years rolled by in a haze of self-congratulation— what some now call a "holiday from history. "When that complacency shattered on September 11, 2001, setting the U.S. on a new and contentious path, confused Americans asked themselves: How did we get here? In America Between The Wars, Derek Chollet and James Goldgeier examine how the decisions and debates of the years between the fall of the Wall on 11/9 and the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11 shaped the events, arguments, and politics of the world we live in today. Reflecting the authors' deep expertise and broad access to key players across the political spectrum, this book tells the story of a generation of leaders grappling with a moment of dramatic transformation—changing how we should think about the recent past, and uncovering important lessons for the future. When The Berlin Wall Collapsed And The Cold War Ended On November 9, 1989, The West Declared Victory: Democracy And Free Markets Had Prevailed And The United States Emerged As The Triumphant Superpower. The Tension That Had Defined A Generation Was Over, And It Seemed That Peace Was At Hand. The Next Twelve Years Rolled By In A Haze Of Complacent Self-congratulation--what Some Now Call A Holiday From History. When September 11, 2001, Set The U.s. On A New Path, Confused Americans Asked: How Did We Get Here? Foreign Policy Experts Chollet And Goldgeier Examine How The Decisions And Debates Of Those Years Shaped The Events, Arguments, And Politics Of The World We Live In Today. This Book Tells The Story Of A Generation Of Leaders Grappling With A Moment Of Dramatic Transformation--changing How We Should Think About The Recent Past, And Uncovering Important Lessons For The Future.--from Publisher Description. Preface: Between The Wars -- The Lone Superpower, Adrift -- Democrats Unite -- Wrong Foot Forward -- Contract And Crisis -- Turning Point -- The Indispensable Nation In A Globalizing World -- Remembering The Past And Imagining The Future -- Liberal Bombs, Conservative Shields -- New World Disorder -- The End Of The Modern Interwar Years -- The 11/9 World -- From 11/9 To 9/11: A Chronology. Derek Chollet And James Goldgeier. A Council On Foreign Relations Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [377]-386) And Index. Contents......Page 10 Photo Sections......Page 229 Preface: Between the Wars......Page 12 1. The Lone Superpower, Adrift......Page 20 2. Democrats Unite......Page 48 3. Wrong Foot Forward......Page 72 4. Contract and Crisis......Page 104 5. Turning Point......Page 132 6. The Indispensable Nation in a Globalizing World......Page 165 7. "Remembering the Past and Imagining the Future"......Page 197 8. Liberal Bombs, Conservative Shields......Page 237 9. New World Disorder......Page 271 10. The End of the Modern Interwar Years......Page 307 11. The 11/9 World......Page 340 From 11/9 to 9/11: A Chronology......Page 358 Notes......Page 370 Bibliography......Page 404 Acknowledgments......Page 414 A......Page 418 B......Page 419 C......Page 421 D......Page 424 F......Page 425 G......Page 426 H......Page 427 I......Page 428 K......Page 429 L......Page 430 M......Page 431 N......Page 432 P......Page 433 R......Page 434 S......Page 436 U......Page 437 W......Page 438 Z......Page 439 On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall collapsed, taking the Cold War down with it. The next twelve years passed in a haze of self-congratulation, Republican confusion, and angst, and economic prosperity -- until they ended abruptly with a stunning catastrophe on September 11, 2001.In America Between The Wars, Derek Chollet and James Goldgeier blend deep expertise with broad access to both parties'political and policy establishments to find out how -- and why -- America failed to recognize that when we became the sole superpower with responsibility for the world's oversight, we overlooked how the new world actually worked. An analysis of American history in the decade leading up to September 11th details America's role as a superpower in the wake of the collapse of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, and the events, politics, debates, and decisions that shaped the world. In March 1995, more than five years after the Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War ended, the New York Times' Week in Review section invited readers to name the era in which they were living.