Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0813123151, Hardcover)

The demise of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s radically and permanently altered dominant twentieth-century notions of a "balance of power." With the competing policy options of international cooperation and unilateral military, political, and economic dominance, the United States continues to struggle with its new role as the world’s only superpower in the new century. The events of September 11, 2001, served to further polarize political debates, with some policy makers emphasizing a multilateral diplomatic approach to fighting terrorism while others demand immediate and possibly unilateral military action to preserve American interests and the existing world order.

In this groundbreaking book, policy expert Colin S. Gray presents a clear and sophisticated argument that the United States is—and should continue to be—the world’s guardian. The Sheriff: America’s Defense of the New World Order sets forth a strategic analysis with nine basic themes as guides to where, when, and how America should be involved in international security affairs. Gray’s constructive critique of recent trends in national security is comprehensive, rooting defense issues and prospective solutions in both U.S. national security policy and the emerging international security environment.

In an era marked by terrorism, political unrest, and the increased interdependence of the world community, Gray describes and prescribes America’s continuing role as "sheriff." According to Gray, world order is not self-enforcing and nations do not always act reasonably or predictably. Therefore, Gray concludes, the U.S. serves itself by selectively serving the world. He argues that military, strategic, and political effectiveness are separate issues and that goals for each of these areas should be effectively articulated to the American public and the world community. Additionally, he maintains that technology alone does not dictate military success and that the current transformation of the U.S. military must be engineered in the context of a well-defined global strategy.

Essential reading for understanding the changing dynamics of a twenty-first century world, The Sheriff is a hard-nosed look at the fundamental workings of world politics and an explanation of the necessity and scope of America’s guardian role of today and for decades to come.