The American threat: National security and foreign policy

This is a book was provocative enough to send me to graduate school for more intensive study. Though dated, it is worth re-reading in light of more recent developments in international relations. Payne's book was written at the height of the Cold War, with the Soviet nuclear threat in mind. His thesis, that vigorous use of American military power increases the credibility of the so-called American threat, improving the odds that an opponent will take our deterrent power seriously, deserves reflection in this day of suicide attacks and other "non-rational" quasi-military tactics. Does the rationality of deterrence work against a suicide bomber? If not, what does it say about the nature of deterrence, of military security, of our concepts of rationality? Does the invasion of Iraq make the United States safer? Payne's recent comments suggest not. Why? Always an independent voice, Payne's work should be examined closely, as much for its assumptions as for its policy implications.