This book is an expanded version of an article written by T. Barnett a few years back.  His basic thesis is that all the recent trouble spots our military has been involved in share one thing in common – they are not part of the economically integrated, functioning core.  Put another way, economic integration with the free trading world creates economic co-dependency and an infusion of freedom (human rights) which are at odds with inter-nation war.  Starting with that principal, he dissects US military policy since the end of the cold war.  It is a very interesting analysis.  Some of his ideas are clearly part of current U.S. foreign policy and the real reasons we are in Iraq.  The book isn’t perfect – Barnett is long winded, self aggrandizing, and idealistic (especially his predictions and solutions) – but those issues don’t outweigh the novelty of his analysis and its relevance to the future.