One of the greatest sources of America's troubles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and New Orleans was the inability of the government's many parts to work well together. Running interagency operations is no easy task. The Pentagon, State Department, Homeland Security, Treasury, FBI, CIA, and other agencies have different capabilities, budgets, cultures, operational styles, are answerable to different Congressional committees, and even operate under different laws. Getting them all organised on battlefields, after disasters, and during other times of crisis is often equated with "herding cats." The history of getting government agencies to cooperate is replete with stories of courage, heart-breaking tragedy, and blundering incompetence. To meet the dangers of the 21st century, interagency operations will be more important than ever, yet few people understand the troubling history of Washington's failures and the pressing needs for reform.This book is the first comprehensive history and sober analysis of one of the most pressing national security challenges of the century. A serious and unappreciated subject is made accessible to a wide audience through a series of engaging and informative historical case studies. The case studies span American history from the turn of the 20th century to today. They cover a variety of subjects from dealing with the great flu epidemic of 1918, to responding to natural disasters at home and abroad, to fighting wars and rebuilding countries after war. Each chapter includes a single case study. Each case study is written by a distinguished scholar, and edited so that they have approximately the same length, style, and organisation including setting the historical context, a discussion of key players, actions, incidents, and lessons learned. The case studies are highly readable and engaging and of high academic quality.