The United States' post-World War II foreign policy has been dominated by militarism, leading to unnecessary conflicts and the rise of global threats. Stephen Glain's work examines how the immense power of the national security state, with its trillion-dollar budget, has overshadowed diplomatic efforts, particularly the State Department, in shaping American foreign policy. This shift has, according to the author, led to the nation's resources being disproportionately allocated to defense, potentially at the expense of its own well-being and global stability, creating an empire at the cost of the republic.

The book presents a critical perspective on American foreign policy, arguing that decades of militarism have led to unnecessary conflicts and the rise of global threats like Islamist terror. It highlights the significant financial and political dominance of the Department of Defense over the State Department in shaping national strategy. The author posits that this imbalance has transformed the United States into an empire, potentially at the cost of its foundational republican principles. The work serves as a stark warning about the long-term consequences of prioritizing military might over diplomatic engagement.