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The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

By: John J. Mearsheimer, Stephen M. Walt
Narrated by: Jason Culp
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Publisher's summary

"The Israel Lobby" by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt, was one of the most controversial articles in recent memory. Originally published in the London Review of Books in March 2006, it 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.

Now in a work of major importance, Mearsheimer and Walt deepen and expand their argument and confront recent developments in Lebanon and Iran. They describe 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. This lobby has a far-reaching impact on America's posture throughout the Middle East in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Lebanon, and toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and, the authors contend, it has encouraged policies profoundly damaging to both America's national interests and Israel's long-term security.

The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy is certain to widen the debate at a time when there is no more urgent issue than America's role in the Middle East.

©2007 John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC
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What listeners say about The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Courageous and Fantastic!

The book's central idea is that the "war for oil" is just spin and smokescreen: the real reasons for war in Iraq, and increased antagonism against the peaceful nation of Iran, are the interests and security of Israel. They meticulously document the public statements of record made by various individuals and groups, and illustrate that the oil lobby was almost totally silent on the issue of the Iraq invasion, but the "Israel Lobby" was vociferously beating the war drum. The sheer size and scope of the Lobby, the staggering funding they provide to both Republican and Democrat coffers, is rarely or never discussed in the mainstream media. Its like the elephant in your living room that everyone pretends not the notice. Those who claim - like Noam Chomsky - that Israel is a U.S. satellite state miss the obvious: it is the other way around. As Ariel Sharon once infamously quipped: "Washington is Likud occupied territory."

For those that view this whole topic as anti-semitic, this is hogwash. Israel is a nation, not a religion or a race. The authors spend a good deal of the book pre-emptively defending themselves against the absurd charge of "anti-semite!" and document their argument with scientific precision. Knowing full well they will be attacked by the considerable weight of the Lobby, the authors were careful to omit all conjecture and speculation, and stick to publicly available facts. Very well narrated. A MUST READ/LISTEN!

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43 people found this helpful

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Informative, Engaging and Perspective Shifting

I read this book on recommendation from a friend who had spent the greater part of 10 years (at the time) abroad. The author's work to highlight a clear bias American's have, especially within political contexts, toward Israel. This is not a critique or condemnation of Israel, Israeli politics nor is it a Palestinian advocate piece. Rather, this is an invitation for American's to look inward and thoughtfully consider whether the current, unequivocal and unmitigated bi-partisan support for Israel is as mutually beneficial as we often think. It begs the question: Is America Israel's greatest ally for this support, or is America enabling a country's own self-destructive policies. Well worth the read for anyone interested in foreign policy, the Israel/Palestine conflicts, or America's possibly only unifying issue.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Eye Opening in a Scary Way

JM makes his case on the malignant Israel Lobby thoroughly and objectively and brings receipts to back it up. Chapter 5 is particularly disturbing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

This is probably one of the most insightful books I have ever read. To have everything laid out with clinical objectivity and related in such a riveting fashion is remarkable. Confirms all of the conclusions of Jimmy Carter's Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, which I also downloaded from Audible. These writings open your eyes to the real world without all of the spin. A must read for all who seek the truth.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book...but not for everybody

Book is very interesting and informational, however I would not recomend it just to anybody. Reader should be prepeared to read it. If reader has a poor knowledge in political science, then this book is not for the one- simple minds may end up thinking that authors are antisemites...

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10 people found this helpful

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A Must Read

A very serious scholarly and well written work every american tax paying citizen must read.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read for all students in the US!!!

Would you listen to The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy again? Why?

Much information to take in and manage. Should be read several times, as you discover more and more about how the authors are spot on in this issue.

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1 person found this helpful

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Insightful

I never understood our unilateral support completely and it felt hypocritical considering our values. This gives me hope and understanding of what we see in the executive branch and congress. Fixing it will be hard and essential for us.

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    5 out of 5 stars

America comes first!

In an era where the phrase “America First” is bandied about with increasing frequency and fervor, John Mearsheimer’s analytical dive into the Israel lobby’s influence on United States foreign policy stands as a beacon of academic scrutiny and insight. His book meticulously dissects the complex web of advocacy, influence, and strategic maneuvering that has characterized the relationship between the US and Israel, providing readers with an evidence-based exploration of how and why the Israel lobby exerts its significant influence.

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A must read book backed with facts and data

Great balanced book to understand why US leadership and politicians are supporting Israel despite being against US national interest.

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