Former diplomat Richard Haass takes a look at recent major changes in global affairs and proposes a new approach to American security.

When the Cold War ended, many experts believed that we had entered a new era of perpetual peace.

Today, however, the news is full of military conflicts and political instability all over the globe, while America's influence seems to be declining.

In this book, Richard Haass takes up the challenge of achieving global peace in an imperfect world.

Now president of the Council of Foreign Relations, Haas was previously a diplomat and advisor in both Bush administrations.

Haas argues that we can create a more peaceful world through realistic compromise and an acceptance of the fact that power no longer belongs solely to the United States.