Summary

"A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide" by Samantha Power is a comprehensive exploration of the United States' historical response to genocide throughout the 20th century. The book examines several major cases of genocide, including the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, the Kurdish genocide in Iraq, and the Rwandan genocide, to analyze the factors that have influenced American intervention or non-intervention.

Power argues that despite repeated commitments to prevent genocide, the U.S. has consistently failed to act decisively, often due to a lack of political will, bureaucratic inertia, and the prioritization of other strategic interests. The book delves into the decision-making processes within the White House, State Department, Pentagon, and CIA, highlighting the roles of key individuals, the constraints they faced, and the moral and political calculations that shaped U.S. policy.

Through detailed accounts and extensive research, Power reveals a pattern of early warnings ignored, opportunities for mitigation missed, and a recurring tendency to downplay the severity of the crimes. She contends that the U.S. government has often abstained from sending troops and has spun the violence in ways that avoid the term "genocide," allowing it to favor stopping genocide in the abstract while opposing American involvement in the moment.

The book also spotlights individuals who stood up against the tide, challenging U.S. policy and advocating for intervention, such as Henry Morgenthau Sr., Raphael Lemkin, and William Proxmire. Their stories illustrate the potential for change and the importance of moral courage in the face of mass atrocities. Ultimately, "A Problem From Hell" is a call to action, urging Americans to confront the nation's past failures and commit to preventing future genocides.