"Since the end of the Cold War, the global perception of the United States has progressively morphed from dominant international leader to disorganized entity, seemingly unwilling to accept the mantle of leadership or unable to govern itself effectively. Robert Gates argues that this transformation is the result of the failure of political leaders to understand the complexity of American power, its expansiveness, and its limitations. He makes clear that the successful exercise of power is not limited to the use of military might or the ability to coerce or demand submission, but must encompass as well diplomacy, economics, strategic communications, development assistance, intelligence, technology, ideology, and cyber.

The symphony of power -- Exercising power -- Iran: great Satan's Bane -- Somalis, Haiti and the Yugoslav Wars: good intentions and the road to hell -- Colombia: the plan that worked (mostly) -- Afghanistan: war without end -- Iraq: a curse -- Africa: a success story -- Russia: Opportunity missed? -- Georgia, Libya, Syria and Ukraine: to intervene or not intervene -- North Korea: Crazy like a fox -- China: competition, conflict or something new -- Lessons learned.