This work investigates the intersection of racial hierarchies and international security frameworks to determine how systemic biases influence global policy decisions. Howell examines the historical and contemporary role of racial categorization in shaping state-level security strategies, military interventions, and geopolitical alliances. By synthesizing critical race theory with traditional security studies, the author argues that security policies are not neutral, but are often constructed through racialized lenses that prioritize specific populations while marginalizing others.

Scholars in the field of international relations recognize this text as a significant contribution to the critical security studies literature. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is best suited for advanced students and researchers in political science.