Scott Horton’s “Enough Already” is a critical examination of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East over the past 35 years, starting from the tragic events of 9/11 and tracing the impact of subsequent wars. Horton delves into the complexities of U.S. interventions and presents ten essential lessons that expose the contradictions and detrimental outcomes of American military actions in the region. Each chapter highlights a different country, anchoring his arguments in a detailed analysis of America’s shifting allegiances, flawed justifications for war, and the spiraling cycle of violence that has ensued.
One of Horton’s central themes is the unreliability of U.S. alliances, captured in Lesson 1, “The U.S. is Not Loyal to Its Allies.” Historical references illustrate how the U.S. has armed groups like the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, which later evolved into al-Qaeda, as well as supporting regimes such as Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, only to turn against them. The cycle of aid and betrayal is not limited to one country; Horton demonstrates this pattern with examples from Afghanistan to Iraq and the Taliban’s multifaceted interactions with U.S. interests, culminating in the chaotic withdrawal in 2021. Through these case studies, Horton warns that current alliances may set up future enmities, highlighting a fundamental instability in American foreign policy.
Horton argues that U.S. involvement often prolongs conflicts rather than resolving them, as articulated in Lesson 2, “The U.S. Prolongs Wars.” He uses the Yemen War as a case in point, noting that U.S. arms supplied to Saudi Arabia have enabled continued fighting despite the Houthis’ earlier victories. This theme echoes in other global contexts, such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where he claims that U.S. support has contributed to ongoing tensions instead of fostering peace. By drawing connections across various conflicts, Horton emphasizes the pattern of the U.S. fueling wars rather than alleviating them, thereby illustrating a misguided foreign policy approach.
Horton’s critique includes the often specious claims that justify warfare, as noted in Lesson 3, “The U.S. Justifies Starting Wars with Nonsense.” He dismantles the rationale behind the Iraq War, showcasing the unrealistic expectations of establishing a pro-American government in Iraq, which instead allied with Iranian interests. Furthermore, the fabricated intelligence used to promote military action, including allegations of weapons of mass destruction, underlines the broader theme of deception that Horton believes characterizes U.S. policy decisions. This manipulation of truth contributes to the subsequent loss of life and the deepening quagmire in which the U.S. finds itself involved.
The book also details how U.S. interventions often lead to the very crises they aim to avert, underscored in Lesson 4, “The U.S. Causes Problems They Claim to Prevent.” Horton points to the 2011 intervention in Libya, which was justified under the pretext of protecting civilians but resulted in widespread suffering and chaos, including human rights abuses by U.S.-backed forces. Rather than fostering stability, U.S. involvement tends to create a power vacuum that militant groups exploit, raising questions about the effectiveness and morality of such interventions. This paradox illustrates a broader critique of the U.S. foreign policy approach, which often prioritizes geopolitical strategy over humanitarian outcomes.
Another crucial lesson articulated by Horton is that the U.S. military actions do not enhance American security, as summarized in Lesson 5, “The U.S.-Led Terror Wars Don’t Defend America.” Instead, these interventions frequently exacerbate threats, as illustrated by the U.S.’s refusal to collaborate with the Taliban following 9/11, which could have expedited the capture of Osama bin Laden. Horton argues that many wars serve to protect the interests of allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia rather than addressing direct threats to U.S. citizens. The focus on geopolitical maneuvering overshadows authentic national security concerns, as reflected in the repeated mistakes made in engaging with regional powers.
As Horton weaves through the tapestry of U.S. interventions, he exposes how these wars have broader ramifications on American citizens, particularly through economic burdens and civil liberties issues mentioned in Lesson 10, “The U.S. Terror Wars Hurt Americans.” He details the direct human cost, including casualties among American soldiers and the psychological toll of PTSD. Moreover, he posits that these military endeavors are funded through inflation and debt, ultimately harming U.S. citizens’ economic prospects. The militarization of domestic law enforcement and the encroachment on civil freedoms raise alarms about the long-term implications of such foreign policies at home, suggesting a fundamental disconnect between the U.S. government and its citizens’ needs and rights.
In summary, “Enough Already” is a sobering analysis of the failures in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding military engagements in the Middle East. Scott Horton’s lessons compel readers to reconsider the true motivations behind American interventions, question the narratives that underpin military actions, and recognize the cyclical patterns of violence that these policies perpetuate. Ultimately, Horton calls for a critical reevaluation of the war on terror and a shift towards peaceful diplomacy as a more effective means for ensuring security for both Americans and the peoples of the Middle East.
