Donald M. Snow invites readers to consider what criteria should be evaluated when considering whether the United States should engage in military action across the globe: when its vital interests are at stake and when the endeavor can reasonably be considered feasible, what Snow refers to as the "IF factor." It is hard to justify promoting an application of American military force to a situation where its use will not succeed or where US interests are not clearly vital, but, Snow argues, that is exactly what has happened frequently since Vietnam.

The book is organized into three sections, examining a historical overview of how the United States became involved in intervening in asymmetrical warfare, the problem of internal war in the developing world, and future American military involvement, particularly in conflicts in the Global South and Ukraine.

About the Author

Donald M. Snow is Professor Emeritus in Political Science at The University of Alabama, where he served on the faculty for 37 years. During that period, he was also Director of International Studies within the College of Arts and Sciences, Director of Faculty Development and Services within the Office of Academic Affairs, and Chair of the Tenure and Promotions Committee within the Political Science Department. He also served as Visiting Professor at the United States Air, Army, and Naval War Colleges and the Air Command and Staff College. Within the discipline, he served as national Chair of the International Security Studies Section of the International Studies Association and of the Arms Control and International Studies Section of the American Political Science Association. He was a frequent lecturer as professional military education schools and conferences sponsored by organizations such as the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

Snow has published over 60 academic books and monographs on international relations, foreign and national security topics for a variety of publishers. His most recent books include National Security, seventh edition (Routledge, 2020), The Middle East and American National Security (Rowman and Littlefield, 2021), and Cases in International Relations (ninth edition, Rowman and Littlefield, 2022 forthcoming). He resides with his wife of 52 years, Donna, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and has a son and three grandchildren who live nearby.

Book Information
ISBN 9781538169445
Author Donald M. Snow
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 340g
Dimensions(mm) 224mm * 154mm * 17mm