M. J. WILLIAMS is Lecturer in International Relations at Royal Holloway University of London, UK, and Senior Associate Scholar at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington DC, USA. Previously, he was Head of the Transatlantic Security Programme at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies in London, UK. He is the author of NATO, Security and Risk Management: From Kosovo to Kandahar and co-editor of the critically acclaimed Power in World Politics.

'At a time when innumerable newspaper articles, journal essays and political speeches have added more heat than light to the NATO intervention in Afghanistan, M.J. Williams gives answers with real expertise, the right historical perspective and a sound political judgement. Based on extensive research and interviews with key players on both sides of the Atlantic, this book is essential reading for anyone, layman or strategist, who wants to understand what is really at stake for the Western democracies in Afghanistan.' Dr Jamie Shea, Director of Policy Planning, NATO HQ 'Engaging and illuminating, Williams offers an original and stimulating take on NATO's evolution and the liberal conscience while at the same time delivering a serious reality check to advocates of democratic imperialism.' Professor Christopher Coker, London School of Economics 'An excellent and comprehensive treatment of the topic.' Conor Foley, author of The Thin Blue Line: How Humanitarianism Went to War

• Introduction On Wars: 'Good' and 'Bad' NATO in an Age of Risk Empires of Liberty The Hedgehog and the Fox: Euro-American Visions of 9/11 Soldiers of Misfortune International (Dis)Organization Empire Lite Beyond Crisis: NATO, Afghanistan and Security in a Networked World Epilogue Revisiting the Liberal Conscience