15 SEPTEMBER 2014

General Anthony Zinni introduced and signed his new book early September in Manhattan's Barnes and Noble Upper West Side store. There were a number of interested observers who followed the athletic-looking, straight-talking U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East and Commander of CENTCOM, as well as curious readers.

In his new book (an earlier one was "The Battle for Peace"), he examines how a "military-first" view of foreign policy continues to embroil U.S. troops in unwinnable wars. In response to a question, he pointed out the positive results from enlightened approaches like the political and diplomatic efforts by 41st President George Herbert Walker Bush in getting the support of the U.N. Security Council before attacking Saddam Husein's troops from Kuwait in 1991, and how a coalition of troops including from nearby Arab countries, co-led by an Arab general produced effective results.

In recent years, he pointed out, America has fought wars and engaged in military action all over the globe "with results that more often than not failed to achieve the glowing outcomes promised by leaders." Claims that use of force would be brief, "virtually pain free," collapsed as actions dragged on for years "at a terrible cost in money and lives." The American public was left asking: why? What went wrong?

Drawing on his proven field experience, General Zinni tried to answer some of those questions. As indicated in the cover sheet, he examines the relationship between the Executive Branch and the Military; "the failures of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;" the "challenges of working with the U.N., coalition forces and NATO;" the role of special forces and drone warfare; and "the difficult choices that need to be made now to create a more effective military.

A devoted soldier and veteran observer, General Zinni offers a perceptive "hard-hitting" analysis, from the White House Oval Office to the battlefield. The 246-page book was published by McMillan.