This book investigates the critical question of what initiates international conflict, examining the factors that lead states to initiate disputes rather than seeking peaceful resolutions. Zeev Maoz, a noted scholar in international relations, draws upon extensive historical data from 1816 to 1976 to analyze patterns and triggers of conflict initiation. The work presents a framework for understanding the complex interplay of domestic and international variables that contribute to the outbreak of hostilities, focusing on the decision-making processes within states.

This work is recognized as a significant contribution to the study of international conflict, offering a systematic, data-driven analysis of dispute initiation. Scholars in political science and international relations utilize its framework to understand the historical antecedents of war and the conditions under which states choose to engage in conflict. The book's empirical approach and broad historical scope provide a robust foundation for further research into the dynamics of international disputes.