Why Nations Go to War emphasizes the human decisions involved when nations enter into war. The author utilizes case studies of major 20th-century conflicts - including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Indian-Pakistani War, the Arab-Israeli Wars and the Persian Gulf War - to examine the stages that culminate in a leaders choice to bring a nation into war. The book provides vivid coverage of how misjudgments and misunderstandings influence the decisions of leaders and have dramatic consequences for world history. Stoessinger concludes with a discussion of prospects for a more peaceful future, including proposals for enduring peace treaties that are negotiated on the basis of equality.