Gustav Meibauer is an Assistant Professor in International Relations at Radboud University Nijmegen.

‘In this insightful study of American no-fly zone foreign policies spanning four Presidential administrations, Meibauer explains why contemporary American foreign policy decisions are often sub-optimal. Utilizing an innovative neoclassical realist framework, Meibauer shines a spotlight on the intra-governmental, ideational bargaining that produce ‘muddled policy’ under conditions of uncertainty. As a major contribution to our understanding of state behavior, this is a must-read for international relations scholars and analysts of American foreign policy alike.’ Jennifer Sterling-Folker, University of Connecticut

• Introduction1. A Neoclassical Realist Theory of Muddled Intervention2. Bush Sr and the Iraqi No-Fly Zones3. Clinton and the Bosnian No-Fly Zone4. Clinton, Bush Jr and Potential No-Fly Zones in Kosovo and Sudan5. Obama and the Libyan No-Fly Zone6. A No-Fly Zone for Syria?7. No-Fly Zones in US Foreign Policy Past, Present and Future