The Rise and Fall of the American Empire by Justin Raimondo

The Rise and Fall of the American Empire by Justin Raimondo: "In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush launched two major wars – and a worldwide covert 'shadow war' – that represented a Great Leap Forward for the American Empire. We invaded Iraq, and occupied it: we invaded Afghanistan, and set up the conditions for the longest war in our history. The Bush presidency also set the stage for future interventions, ratcheting up tensions with Iran, and extending our reach into the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus, taking on Russia in the bargain.

President Obama took office as the 'antiwar' candidate, criticizing the Iraq invasion while advocating an escalation of the 'neglected' Afghan front. Iraq, he argued, was a 'diversion' away from our central task, which was fighting terrorism (and al-Qaeda) in Afghanistan – and in Pakistan, as well. This last was an important addition to our enemies list, one that went little noticed at the time but has since loomed large in this administration's sights, as the stealthy but steady expansionism of the frontiers of empire pushes forward."