Aaron Belkin Boeken

Conservatives and liberals agree that President Bill Clinton's effort to lift the military's gay ban was perhaps one of the greatest blunders of his tenure in office. Conservatives argue that Clinton should have left well enough alone; liberals believe that he should have ordered the military to accept homosexuals rather than agreeing to the compromise "don't ask, don't tell" policy. In this ground-breaking book, experts of both persuasions come together to debate the critical aspects of the gays-in-the-military issue. The participants consider whether homosexuals undermine military performance; whether they threaten heterosexual privacy; and whether the experiences of militaries in other countries have relevance for the United States. They also explore the human, organizational, and dollar costs of the present policy. Belkin and Bateman provide a thorough context for the transcripts of the deliberations, as well as a discussion of the implications of the participants' conclusions for current U.S. policy.

The book explores the notion that leaders may instigate international conflicts as a strategy to maintain political division within their own military. It delves into the motivations behind such actions, analyzing how these conflicts can serve to distract from internal issues and consolidate power. Through various examples, it examines the implications of this tactic on global stability and military cohesion. The author presents a critical perspective on the intersection of politics and military strategy, encouraging readers to rethink traditional narratives of conflict.