Veteran journalist Thomas Shanker and former Pentagon official turned RAND executive Andy Hoehn team up to produce a very thoughtful and insightful book about what more can be done to ensure America is better protected. They begin by noting that although about $1.25 billion is currently spent on national security, the government often is stunned by events at home and abroad and fails to respond adequately. The authors argue that our national security system needs an overhaul—both to provide better intelligence and warnings and also to respond more effectively. Outlining some ways to achieve this, Shanker and Hoehn are very persuasive in making a case that hopefully will help bring about new strategies, processes, and institutional tools to deal with the challenges posed by China and Russia and such future threats as pandemics, cyber attacks, drones, and climate change.
