"ElBaradei shepherded the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UNs nuclear watchdog, through 12 years of unprecedented challenge, becoming a lightning rod for criticism and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. On his watch, the U.S. invaded after alleging Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, North Korea emerged as a nuclear threat, a long stalemate over Irans nuclear capacity intensified, and Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khans black marketing of nuclear arms came to light. Each crisis exposed the IAEAs limited authority to investigate and prosecute violations of nuclear nonproliferation agreements and made it the focus of intense political pressure by the worlds most powerful nations. This selection of writings is to some extent a chronicle of frustration with the abortive dialogues, mixed messages, bruised egos, political infighting, saber-rattling, and other counterproductive aspects of the tedious, wrenching business of nuclear diplomacy. But ElBaradeis accounting also stands as an unwavering affirmation of the crucial importance of fairness and multilateral cooperation to maintaining peace and stability despite the inherent asymmetry of nuclear haves and have-nots. HIgh-Demand Backstory: This is a timely look at the perspective of a man who continues to shape the future of the Middle East: since leaving the IAEA, ElBaradei has been active in domestic politics in his native Egypt and is considered a leading contender for that countrys presidency." (booklist) Check Our Catalog
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