This volume investigates the foundational shift in United States national security policy during the initial fifteen months of the Obama administration. The editors, including military expert Douglas Lovelace, compile primary source documents to analyze how the administration navigated complex geopolitical landscapes. By examining intelligence estimates and strategic directives, the text provides a framework for understanding the transition in military priorities and counter-insurgency doctrine during this period.

Experts and researchers frequently utilize this series as a foundational repository for tracking the evolution of U.S. defense policy. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a comprehensive resource for scholars of military history and international relations.