The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy - John J. Mearsheimer & Stephen M. Walt

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

By John J. Mearsheimer & Stephen M. Walt

  • Release Date: 2007-09-04
  • Genre: Foreign Policy & International Relations
3.5 Score: 3.5 (From 45 Ratings)

Description

Originally published in 2007, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, by John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Stephen M. Walt of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, provoked both howls of outrage and cheers of gratitude for challenging what had been a taboo issue in America: the impact of the Israel lobby on U.S. foreign policy. A work of major importance, it remains as relevant today as it was in the immediate aftermath of the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006.

Mearsheimer and Walt describe in clear and bold terms the remarkable level of material and diplomatic support that the United States provides to Israel and argues that this support cannot be fully explained on either strategic or moral grounds. This exceptional relationship is due largely to the political influence of a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that actively work to shape U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction. They provocatively contend that the lobby has a far-reaching impact on America's posture throughout the Middle East―in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict―and the policies it has encouraged are in neither America's national interest nor Israel's long-term interest. The lobby's influence also affects America's relationship with important allies and increases dangers that all states face from global jihadist terror.

The publication of The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy led to a sea change in how the U.S-Israel relationship was discussed, and continues to be one of the most talked-about books in foreign policy.

Reviews

  • Amazing

    5
    By Saamaakk
    Anyone who hates this book is a brainwashed Zionist who regrets the truth about the current state of “Israel”.
  • Echo chamber

    1
    By Habush1
    If you love bashing Israel and think if we abandon it all the middle eastern theocracies will suddenly love us this book is for you.if your somewhat sane stay away.
  • Very good read/listen and an important book.

    5
    By Tnrs7
    This book takes everything that has been under the table in regards to Israel's influence on American politics and Middle East foreign policy and puts it on top of the table where it belongs. Where else can it be properly debated? The book's authors are highly reputable, its sources are well documented and its tone and substance are clearly not anti-Israel and certainly not anti-Semitic as many of its detractors would have us believe. In fact, this book is truly courageous as its authors have chosen to brave these inevitable accusations from people who would rather have this information ignored. This book leads me to believe that we can be a good ally to Israel without allowing it to take advantage of us. Be brave and read it. I-Tunes never explained to me why approximately 10-15 reviews for this book disappeared sometime before 4/10/11.
  • The Israel lobby

    5
    By Hshadid
    This is an outstanding book. I have never read a more comprehensive well researched effort to help us understand the confounding mystery of America getting caught up in a movement that is so contradictory to our American values. It may someday be looked back on as the bell that tolled and woke up the countryside. Israelis themselves may someday look back with gratitude as it could become a great contributor to an ultimate solution and save Israel from itself. It is rather peculiar that the critics of the book have resorted to name calling and attacking motives rather than discuss the actual content!
  • Poor

    1
    By A Fellow From Skokie
    Many quotes taken out of context and arguments don't really have a start and stop point. This is scholarly work? More like one continuous rant against Israel by Mearsheimer and Walt.
  • Good

    5
    By Modeeb
    Good book to figure out Washington if your into Middle East politics
  • Really bad

    1
    By Bentzi19
    Riddled with inaccuracies and half truths.
  • Waist of time.

    1
    By Calipso1
    Pure trash.
  • Wow

    5
    By Sam108
    Great book to those who desire the truth submerged in facts.

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