This fascinating book exposes the movie industry as a key protagonist in the US strategy debate, through the production of films on national security across many genres, from comedy to thriller, from sci-fi to war movies. This timely volume also explores prevailing ideas of the 'threat' to homeland USA that are put forward by the national security network, a threat that is seen as the justification for and legitimization of America's military operations and strategic choices. Valantin reveals how in the last 20 years there has been a consistent collaboration between the US Department of Defense and film studios and enormous contracts have been exchanged between the two industries. This book shows how Hollywood is completely penetrated by the ideological and political thinking of Washington, which in turn appears to be directly inspired by the productions of Hollywood.

Jean-Michel Valantin is lecturer in Strategic Studies and the Sociology of Defense, specialist in American strategy and researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Peace and Strategic Studies (CIRPES), France.

About the Author; Introduction; 1. National Security Cineman and American Strategic Identity: Structural Links; 2. Experiencing and Dreaming-Up History, 1951-1982; 3. Justifying the New Strategic Power, 1982-1990; 4. New Threats, 1990-1994; 5. The Need to Fight Terrorism, 1994-2000; 6.Pearl Harbor Syndrome and the Fables of Technology, 1986-2000; 7. Saving Ground Combat, 1987-2000; 8. Around September 11; 9. The State and Defence: Questions of Legitimacy; 10. Empire, War and Revolution; Conclusion; Postscript; Notes; Filmography; Bibliography; Index of Films; Index