Richard Haass--a member of the National Security Council staff for the first President Bush and the director of policy planning in the State Department for Bush II--contrasts the decisions that shaped the conduct of the two Iraq wars and makes a crucial distinction between the 1991 and 2003 conflicts, while offering a thoughtful examination of the means and ends of U.S. foreign policy: how it should be made, what it should seek to accomplish, and how it should be pursued.

A tale of two wars -- The winding road to war -- Desert shield -- War of necessity -- The Clinton interregnum -- The 9/11 presidency -- Prelude to war -- War of choice -- Takeaways from two wars.