A long, long time ago (well, not that long ago, say about the time Ronnie Reagan and Maggie Thatcher ruled the world), the 'evil empire' (Soviet Russia) was the great enemy that justified the bombing of poor defenceless 3rd countries, the undermining of sovereign governments, the subverting of 'unfriendly' popular movements and a massive build-up of weapons and military spending. The existence of a monolithic and demonstrably different system, (even one as flawed as State Socialism), was so useful to Western governments and corporations that they would have needed to invent one if one didn't exist.

Now, with the 'evil' empire lapsing into 3rd world poverty and corruption, 'our' governments need to invent new enemies to continue as before. Forget a peace dividend of diverted military spending, forget turning arms-money into money for hospitals and education. Into the gap created by the demise of 'communism' have stepped the 'rogue states'. The list should be fairly obvious: Iraq, Serbia, Libya, North Korea, Cuba. Half of these we are still bombing regularly, the rest we are blockading. Notice also how few of these are right-wing or pro-US dictatorships. Where is Colombia? Why aren't the pro-US governments who depend on death squads listed as rogue states?

Chomsky, in his usual scholarly manner turns the question on its head as asks 'who are the real rogue states?' Which states have consistently flouted UN resolutions, have refused to sign basic UN conventions (such as human rights, rights of children etc). Which states have launched attacks on sovereign nations? Which nations have subverted foreign governments? Funnily enough his list of answers bears little resemblance to the tabloid list. In almost every case his answer is the United States, with Britain tagging along.

I won't attempt to summarise Chomsky's evidence. As one would expect his sources are impeccable, he has done his research and it shows. His writing is crystal clear, and though he's an academic it's clear that he's engaged with the world around him. The writing style is concise and to the point without being unduly dry, this is definitely one of the more easy to read books that he's written.

In reading Rogue States Chomsky's anger comes through loud and clear. It works, too. Read this and you'll feel angry too. Angry that what we read in the press is so at odds with what is going on in the world. Angry that our governments collude in the big-power politics of the States. This is an enlightening book, and one that can be recommended without question.