In 2003, General Wesley Clark ran for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States. Since then, he has become a major figure on the political scene, commenting on television and keynoting conferences. Focusing on his major life battles–from his difficult youth in Arkansas, through the horror of Vietnam, the post-war rebuilding of national security and the struggles surrounding the new world order after the Cold War–this groundbreaking audiobook draws lessons from General Clark’s unique experiences and reveals his plan for America, at home and in the world. Also included are General Clark’s unique stances on the following:

* Foreign Policy: Reinvigorate the Atlantic Alliance and formulate a plan for a stable Middle East
* The Economy: Advocate holistic economic strategies in to advance our national security objectives
* The Environment: Balance the short-term commercial needs for with long-term respect for our natural resources
* Education/Health Care: Provide more direct assistance in areas such as education, health care, and retirement security by proper allocation of responsibilities between public and private entities

With the end of the Cold War came not the end of history, but the end of America’s sense of its strategic purpose in the world. Then, after a decade of drift, the United States was violently dragged back into international conflict. Its armed forces responded magnificently, but its leaders’ objectives were substantially flawed. We fought the wrong war–twice–for reasons that were opaque, and few American citizens understood the cause for which their sons and daughters were fighting and dying.

War is a poor substitute for strategic vision, and decisions made in the heat of imminent conflict are often limited by the emotions of the moment. In Don’t Wait for the Next War, Wesley K. Clark, a retired four-star general of the US Army and former Democratic candidate for president, presents a compelling argument for continued American global leadership and the basis on which it can succeed: a new American strategy. America needs both new power and deeper perspective. The platform for American leadership is to use America’s energy resources to spark sustainable economic growth, building new strength to deal with pressing domestic issues like the deficit as well as the longer term challenges to US security–terrorism, cyber threats, the next financial crisis, China’s rising power, and climate change.

Such a strategy is not only achievable but essential, and it is urgently needed. This is the true test of American leadership for the next two decades, but it must start now so America has the power and vision to deal with the acute crises that will inevitably come–in the Middle East, Europe, or Asia.