With its emphasis on unilateralism, preemptive attack, and regime change, US foreign policy under George W Bush continues the longstanding US quest for primacy - but with some radical departures from previous approaches. "Superpower on Crusade" offers a critical exploration of the origins and implementation of the Bush Doctrine. Gurtov first traces the sources of US missionary and expansionist tendencies and highlights their particular manifestations in the Bush administration. Then turning to the war on Iraq, he focuses on real vs. stated objectives, the Pentagon's primacy in shaping security policy, and the roles of Congress, the UN, and US allies. Subsequent chapters examine US policy with regard to such issues as nuclear proliferation, international law, development assistance, the environment, and human rights. Assessing the costs of the Bush Doctrine at home and abroad, "Superpower on Crusade" presents a concise critique of US foreign policy intended to stimulate debate in the classroom, as well as among scholars.

From the war on communism to the war on terror -- The Bush doctrine -- False pretenses : the war on Iraq -- Fallout : the perils and profits of empire -- Rogues and clients : the long arm of unilateralism -- The United States as global citizen -- Crusading : costs and alternatives.