“Dealing with Dictators: Dilemmas of US Diplomacy and Intelligence Analysis, 1945-1990” dissects America’s fraught relationships with authoritarian regimes during a pivotal era. Published by MIT Press, this book, part of the Belfer Center Studies in International Security series, delves into six compelling case studies including China’s rise, the Congo crisis, Iran’s revolution, Nicaragua’s Somoza dynasty, the fall of Marcos in the Philippines, and early US-Iraq policy to expose the complex moral calculations behind US foreign policy. Rather than offering simple judgments, the book analyzes the uncertainties faced by policymakers and explores whether the right questions were even asked. A crucial read for understanding the realpolitik behind US engagement with undemocratic nations, and the role of intelligence in those decisions. Paperback, 400 pages.

The United States continues to proclaim its support for democracy and its opposition to tyranny, but American presidents often have supported dictators who have allied themselves with the United States. This book illustrates the chronic dilemmas inherent in US dealings with dictators under conditions of uncertainty and moral ambiguity. Dealing with Dictators offers in-depth analysis of six cases: the United States and China, 1945-1948; UN intervention in the Congo, 1960-1965; the overthrow of the Shah of Iran; US relations with the Somoza regime in Nicaragua; the fall of Marcos in the Philippines; and US policy toward Iraq, 1988-1990. The authors’ fascinating and revealing accounts shed new light on critical episodes in US foreign policy and provide a basis for understanding the dilemmas that US decision makers confronted. The chapters do not focus on whether US leaders made the “right” or “wrong” decisions, but instead seek to deepen our understanding of how uncertainty permeated the process and whether decision makers and their aides asked the right questions. This approach makes the book invaluable to scholars and students of government and history, and to readers interested in the general subject of how intelligence analysis interacts with policymaking.

Dealing with Dictators: Navigating the Murky Waters of US Foreign Policy (1945-1990) Explore the complex and often contradictory nature of American foreign policy during the Cold War and its immediate aftermath with "Dealing with Dictators: Dilemmas of US Diplomacy and Intelligence Analysis, 1945-1990." This compelling study, published by The MIT Press as part of the Belfer Center Studies in International Security, delves into the challenging moral and strategic calculations that shaped US interactions with authoritarian regimes. While the United States has consistently championed democracy and condemned tyranny, history reveals a more nuanced reality. American presidents frequently found themselves supporting dictators who, for strategic or economic reasons, aligned themselves with US interests. This book examines the inherent dilemmas and uncertainties that arose from these alliances, offering a critical look at the compromises made in the name of national security. "Dealing with Dictators" presents in-depth case studies that illuminate the intricacies of US foreign policy decision-making. Journey through key historical moments, including: * **The Shifting Sands of US-China Relations (1945-1948):** Explore the early dynamics of engagement with China as the Communist party gained power, setting the stage for future complexities. * **The UN Intervention in the Congo (1960-1965):** Analyze the challenges and consequences of international involvement in a newly independent nation grappling with internal conflict and Cold War pressures. * **The Fall of the Shah of Iran:** Uncover the factors that contributed to the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent collapse of a long-standing US ally. * **The US and the Somoza Regime in Nicaragua:** Examine the controversial support for the Somoza family and the implications for US credibility in Latin America. * **The Overthrow of Marcos in the Philippines:** Explore the US role in the People Power Revolution and the transition to democracy. * **US Policy Toward Iraq (1988-1990):** Gain insights into the events leading up to the Persian Gulf War and the evolving relationship with Saddam Hussein. Instead of simply judging past decisions as "right" or "wrong," the authors take a deeper approach. They shed light on the pervasive uncertainty that characterized the decision-making process, prompting readers to consider whether leaders and their advisors were asking the right questions amidst rapidly changing circumstances. This nuanced perspective makes "Dealing with Dictators" invaluable for students and scholars of government, history, international relations, and political science, as well as anyone interested in understanding the intricate relationship between intelligence analysis and foreign policymaking. This detailed analysis makes the reader understand the topic better. The book contains 400 pages in paperback format.

Binding	Paperback
Condition	New
ISBN-10	0262633248
ISBN-13	9780262633246
Language	English
Pages	400
Publisher	The MIT Press
Year published	2007
Weight	431
Edition	1
Dewey decimal	327.73009/045

Dealing with Dictators: Dilemmas of US Diplomacy and Intelligence Analysis, 1945-1990 (Belfer Center Studies in International Security)