Understanding some of the policy shifts between the United States and Europe regarding international intervention strategies can be difficult, and there are numerous factors that must be considered in any such analysis. This compelling paper from Philip H. Gordon of The Brookings Institution looks at the changing approach to policies in the Middle East during the past few years, with special attention paid to previous conflicts that played themselves out during the 1950s. In his remarks, Gordon notes that, "In the Middle East today, the Americans are merely walking in the footsteps of Europeans who, when they were the world's great powers, also felt it necessary to use force to try to reshape the region." With its keen eye towards historical analysis in light on contemporary events, this paper will be of significant interest to the general public and those with an interest in political science.