Many liberals will find Anatol Lieven’s book America Right or Wrong a refreshing read: in smooth style, Lieven impressively articulates familiar arguments against United States foreign policy since 9/11 – especially, but not exclusively, in the middle east. Lieven employs a formidable armoury of qualities: wit and sarcasm, a knowledge of his critics that enables him often to pre–empt their likely counter–jibes; and frequent (albeit tactical) empathy for opposing views, which reveals a genuine attempt to diagnose the illnesses of US foreign policy and propose remedies. But wit, rhetoric, and sarcasm – even when spiced with empathy – are ingredients for sermons and motivational literature, not rigorous analysis; and in the end America Right or Wrong is nothing more than preaching to the choir...