War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence

Ronan Farrow documents the systematic dismantling of the United States Department of State and the resulting militarization of American foreign policy. He traces a historical shift where civilian diplomats have been sidelined in favor of military commanders and intelligence officials, a process accelerating through successive administrations. Through interviews with every living former Secretary of State and whistleblowers within the foreign service, the narrative examines how slashed budgets and vacant ambassadorships diminish non-combative leverage. Farrow uses specific case studies in Afghanistan and Pakistan to show how tactical military goals often override long-term political stabilization.

This book serves readers interested in international relations, geopolitics, and institutional history. It appeals to those seeking to understand why the United States frequently prioritizes armed intervention over negotiation and how bureaucratic decay affects global standing. Readers walk away with a technical understanding of the professional diplomatic corps' functions and the specific consequences of its erosion. The text provides a clear-eyed look at the transition from soft power to a reliance on special operations and drone strikes as the primary tools of statecraft.

Outward-looking; a moderate read.

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