Why Nations Go to War

War is a central issue in international politics. This new edition has been updated to cover Saddam Hussein's two wars in the Gulf, the passing of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. It provides seven case studies which focus on the various moments when armed conflict became inevitable.

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The nature of war has long been regarded as the central issue in international politics and it is one that has become increasingly pressing in the nuclear age. This book provides seven detailed case studies which focus on the fateful moment when leaders crossed the threshold that made armed conflict inevitable. This new edition has been updated to cover Saddam Hussein's two wars in the Gulf, the passing of the Soviet Union and the Cold War.