Leap of Faith : Hubris, Negligence, and America's Greatest Foreign Policy Tragedy

**The dramatic insider account of why we made the decision to invade Iraq, the key people who drove it and their motives, and those who tried and failed to stop it, leading to the most costly misadventure in US history.**__Leap of Faith__is the first comprehensive and objective history of the decision to invade Iraq. Based on nine years of research, over 100 interviews with participants in the drama, and information from hundreds of U.S. and British declassified documents, Mike Mazarr shows how the most impressive and experienced foreign policy team made the greatest strategic folly of the century.Mazarr reveals that a combination of messianic certainty, cultural deference, and administrative infighting and incompetence allowed the decision to be made without any examination of the ways in which it could go wrong. So when it did, no one had any answers.__Leap of Faith__is a parable of how good intentions can go wrong, and a cautionary tale about any international entanglement. The dramatic insider account of why we invaded Iraq, the motivations that drove it, and the frustrations of those who tried and failed to stop it, leading to the most costly misadventure in US history. A single disastrous choice in the wake of 9/11-the decision to use force to remove Saddam Hussein from power-did enormous damage to the wealth, well-being, and reputation of the United States. Few errors in U.S. foreign policy have had longer-lasting or more harmful consequences. Yet how the decision came to be made remains shrouded in mystery and mythology. To this day, even the principal architects of the war cannot agree on it. Michael Mazarr has interviewed dozens of players involved in the deliberations about the invasion of Iraq and has reviewed all the documents so far declassified. He paints a devastating of portrait of an administration fueled by righteous conviction yet undercut by chaotic processes, rivalrous agencies, and competing egos. But more than the product of one bungling administration, the invasion of Iraq emerges here as a tragically typical example of modern U.S. foreign policy fiascos. Leap of Faith asks profound questions about the limits of US power and the accountability for its use. It offers lessons urgently relevant to stave off similar disasters-today and in the future. "The dramatic insider account of why we invaded Iraq, the motivations that drove it, and the frustrations of those who tried and failed to stop it, leading to the most costly misadventure in US history. A single disastrous choice in the wake of 9/11-the decision to use force to remove Saddam Hussein from power-did enormous damage to the wealth, well-being, and reputation of the United States. Few errors in U.S. foreign policy have had longer-lasting or more harmful consequences. Yet how the decision came to be made remains shrouded in mystery and mythology. To this day, even the principal architects of the war cannot agree on it. Michael Mazarr has interviewed dozens of players involved in the deliberations about the invasion of Iraq and has reviewed all the documents so far declassified. He paints a devastating of portrait of an administration fueled by righteous conviction yet undercut by chaotic processes, rivalrous agencies, and competing egos. But more than the product of one bungling administration, the invasion of Iraq emerges here as a tragically typical example of modern U.S. foreign policy fiascos"--Publisher's description The Dramatic Insider Account Of Why We Made The Decision To Invade Iraq, The Motivations Of The Key People Who Drove It, And The Frustrations Of Those Who Tried And Failed To Stop It, Leading To The Most Costly Misadventure In Us History. Leap Of Faith Is The First Comprehensive And Objective History Of The Decision To Invade Iraq. Based On Nine Years Of Research, Over 100 Interviews With Participants In The Drama, And Information From Hundreds Of U.s. And British Declassified Documents, Mike Mazarr Shows How The Most Impressive And Experienced Foreign Policy Team Made The Greatest Strategic Folly Of The Century. Mazarr Reveals That A Combination Of Messianic Certainty, Cultural Deference, And Administrative Infighting And Incompetence Allowed The Decision To Be Made Without Any Examination Of The Ways In Which It Could Unravel. So When It Did, No One Had Any Answers. Leap Of Faith Is A Parable Of How Good Intentions Can Go Wrong, And A Cautionary Tale About Any International Entanglement. "Leap of Faith is the first comprehensive and objective history of the decision to invade Iraq. Mike Mazarr shows how the most impressive and experienced foreign policy team made the greatest strategic folly of the century."-- Provided by publisher Understanding a tragedy -- The origins of a conviction -- A new sheriff in town -- The terrible shadow of 9/11 -- Justifying invasion -- Muddling toward war -- A juggernaut for war -- "All is TBD"-on the verge of war -- The aftermath -- Lessons.