Abstract of "Deciding When To Go" by Michael O'Hanlon and Stephen Solarz

Michael O'Hanlon and Stephen Solarz explore the inconsistent patterns of the US military intervention in conflicts across the globe. While the US cannot intervene everywhere, the government must strategically choose conflict areas where it is safe to get involved. Intervention, according to the authors, should not: jeopardize more lives than humanitarian intervention could have saved, risk an additional war within the country or with adjacent countries, involve a large number of troops, or be difficult to develop a proper exit strategy. The authors also stress that the US should not get involved with a country with the primary purpose of nation building. With proper intervention strategies, "the United States and the international community may be able to significantly reduce the level of bloodshed around the world," without compromising the safety of other citizens.