War on Peace

War on Peace by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow offers a compelling and incisive look into the transformation occurring within US foreign policy, detailing a dramatic retreat from diplomacy and the real-world consequences that follow. This eye-opening book takes readers on an extraordinary journey from the power corridors of Washington, D.C., to some of the most volatile regions on the planet, such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and North Korea. Farrow provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on how the decline of traditional statecraft is reshaping America’s position in the global arena.

Relative calm gives way to violence and disorder as diplomatic institutions face severe budgetary constraints and experienced diplomats abandon their posts. Simultaneously, military and defence contractors fill the void, shifting the nation's approach from peace-making to a more aggressive, shoot-first philosophy. Farrow, a former State Department official, brings his intimate knowledge to bear, portraying key figures like Richard Holbrooke, the influential diplomat who successfully brokered peace in Bosnia and lost his life attempting the same in Afghanistan. Through vivid anecdotes and personal encounters, Farrow conveys the grave implications of forsaking diplomacy.

Drawing on a wealth of newly uncovered documents and exclusive, rare interviews with an eclectic cast of characters, including warlords, whistle-blowers, and policymakers, his investigation is deepened by conversations with every living secretary of state, from Henry Kissinger to Rex Tillerson. War on Peace stands as an urgent call to revive diplomacy, a profession Farrow argues has been systematically undermined by political cowardice, short-sightedness, and malevolent actions over decades. In the face of escalating global conflicts, Farrow posits that rediscovering the art of diplomacy may be crucial for steering the world away from perpetual warfare.

Praised by notable figures, Walter Isaacson calls it "one of the most important books of our time," and Dan Simpson of the Post-Gazette dubs it a "masterpiece." As a New York Times #3 bestseller, War on Peace is an essential read for anyone keen on understanding the shifting dynamics of global power and the urgent need for a return to diplomatic engagement.