This book examines the role played by affect and emotions to provide a new perspective on alliances and friendly relations among states. Through a theoretical and empirical examination of the historical relationships of members of the Atlantic alliance, it underlines and explains the connections between affect, the occurrence of crises, and the repair of those crises in close allies' relationships. Using empirical data and close examinations of the decision-makers in Atlantic alliance countries during the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1966 NATO crisis, and the 2003 Iraq crisis, Eznack constructs a new history and theory of the workings of alliances.

Through a theoretical and empirical examination of the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1966 NATO crisis, and the 2003 Iraq crisis, Eznack explores the connections between affect and emotion, the occurrence of crises, and the repair of those crises in close allies' relationships, and provides a new perspective on alliances and friendly relations among states.