The author Stephen Kinzer discusses how various American-led operations from Hawaii to Iraq, intended to enhance security, instead had the opposite effect. Historically, these interventions often destabilized entire regions, leading to increased unrest and unforeseen threats that emerged long after the interventions were completed.

Kinzer's perspective highlights that rather than achieving lasting security, these actions resulted in chaos, undermining U.S. interests and creating environments where new dangers could flourish. This examination prompts a reconsideration of the efficacy and consequences of such regime change initiatives throughout American history.