Tony Zinni has served on the frontlines of war and peace — as a Marine in Vietnam, commander of troops in the Middle East, and diplomatic envoy. His wealth of experience provides fascinating insight into how the world works and a sweeping vision of America's role in it. Zinni argues that the roots of the world's growing turmoil are not being addressed and that America's aggressive confidence is making it worse — with potentially devastating implications for the safety of Americans. From the foxhole to the White House, Zinni's first-hand experience informs his view of how America can promote a more stable and peaceful world through realism and pragmatic cooperation with other peoples and states.

"The intellectual complement to Zinni and Clancy's bestselling Battle Ready (2004), a narrative memoir salted with specific policy recommendations, this volume provides the former U.S. Central Command chief's analysis of America's current global position. Zinni begins by asserting that America's status as 'the most powerful nation in the history of the planet' has created a de facto empire. The U.S. has no choice: if it fails to take the lead, nothing significant happens. At the same time, Americans must recognize that, in a global age, there can be no zero-sum games: when someone loses, no one wins in any but the shortest term, he argues. The bulk of the book critiques what Zinni describes as the current U.S. emphasis on unilateral action and calls instead for working with others toward the goals of worldwide stability and development. '[N]egotiation, mediation and facilitation' should be our favored approaches, Zinni writes. And the post-Cold War pattern of ad hoc improvisation in foreign affairs should give way to systematic, in-depth planning. While fans of Battle Ready may grow frustrated with the abstractions in this volume, Zinni's pragmatic, low-key approach merits serious consideration." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Refreshingly contrarian, and perfectly commonsensical" Kirkus Reviews

"[Zinni and Koltz] provide a clear analysis and plan for the future of America that challenges all — policy wonks, soldiers, and citizens alike — to rethink how we use our power to influence the global community." Library Journal

"Zinni is an interesting man, and he has a lot of interesting things to say about the dangers of pursuing our current course in foreign policy. He is a distinctly non-ideological man in an era when ideology is running rampant both home and abroad." Michael Abramowitz, The Washington Post

"Provocative, insightful, and straight-from-the-shoulder blunt." William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1997-2001

"Tony Zinni's writing is straightforward and to the point...a primer to guide us in the 21st century. Well done." Richard L. Armitage, Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, 2001-2005

"[S]ensible and deserve[s] wide support." James Fallows, national correspondent of The Atlantic Monthly, author of National Defense

"The Battle for Peace feels, in the end, less like a full-scale analysis than a warning, a warning that deserves serious consideration, given General Zinni's Cassandra-like foresight on matters like Iraq." New York Times

General Tony Zinni (Ret.) was Commander in Chief of CENTCOM and special envoy to the Middle East. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, Nightline and Charlie Rose, among others.

Tony Koltz co-authored Tom Clancy's Into the Storm and Battle Ready, with General Zinni.

America's Power and Purpose
In the Foxhole
Beyond Checkpoint Charlie
The New Face of War
Colliding Worlds
Stovepipes
Strategy
From Strategy to Foxholes
On the Frontlines of Peace
The Battle for Peace