In this book, Mearsheimer and Walt argue that the U.S. commitment to Israel is largely due to the activities of the 'Israel Lobby,' a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that work to shape U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction. They contend that this support cannot be fully explained on either strategic or moral grounds and that the policies encouraged by the lobby are detrimental to both America's national interest and Israel's long-term interest. The book explores the lobby's impact on U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its effects on relations with Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as its influence on American media and political discourse[2][4][5].
In this book, Mearsheimer presents a realist perspective on international relations, arguing that great powers are driven to accumulate power and ensure their survival in an anarchic world. He contends that even security-seeking great powers are compelled to compete and conflict with one another, leading to a tragic cycle of power struggles. The book examines historical examples, such as the rise of Imperial Germany, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the Soviet Union, to illustrate the inevitability of great power competition. Mearsheimer also discusses the potential rise of China and its implications for global politics, emphasizing that a rising China will seek to dominate Asia while the United States will strive to prevent this dominance[1][2][4].
Dans "The Hell of Good Intentions", Stephen Walt analyse les erreurs de la politique étrangère américaine, notamment l'hégémonisme libéral. Il critique les interventions militaires et les politiques néo-conservatrices, soulignant leurs conséquences négatives. Walt met en garde contre les dangers de l'interventionnisme et de la promotion de la démocratie par la force. Il plaide pour une approche plus réaliste et pragmatique de la politique étrangère, axée sur les intérêts nationaux et la coopération internationale. L'ouvrage est une critique acerbe de la politique étrangère américaine et une invitation à une réflexion plus profonde sur les relations internationales.
In 'Taming American Power,' Stephen M. Walt examines how states counter or accommodate U.S. power, arguing that the U.S. must adopt a more cooperative foreign policy to maintain its global position. The book critiques the U.S. grand strategy of primacy, suggesting it has fostered anti-Americanism and damaged U.S. interests, and proposes an alternative strategy of 'offshore balancing' to better protect U.S. interests.
In Episode 248 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with professors of international relations John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. Professor Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and the author of multiple books including “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics,” “Why Leaders Lie,” and “The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities.” Professor Walt is the Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International Affairs at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also the author of several books including “Revolution and War,” “Taming American Power: The Global Response to U.S. Primacy,” and most recently “The Hell of Good Intentions.” They both have appeared separately on the podcast before: professor Walt for a conversation on the decline of US primacy and professor Mearsheimer on the power of nationalism in international affairs.
They are also both prominent members of the so-called “realist school” and their views have often run counter to the prevailing orthodoxy in Washington, which one could broadly characterize as interventionist. John Mearsheimer especially has gained attention for his views on Ukraine, which went viral after the recent Russian invasion. Just one of his videos on YouTube alone has been seen over 26 million times. Demetri asks him about that experience, why he thinks his views have resonated so strongly with the public, and if there’s a connection between peoples’ views on Ukraine and their positions on the larger culture wars that seem to be dividing so many of us in Western societies today.
Of course, the conversation veers well beyond Ukraine, which is just the touching off point for a much larger discussion about the future of great power competition, the endurance of the alliance between Russia and China, America’s pivot to Asia, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could actually make that easier, and what should the goals of American foreign policy be.
You can access the full episode, transcript, and intelligence report to this conversation by going directly to the episode page at HiddenForces.io and clicking on "premium extras." All subscribers gain access to our premium feed, which can be easily added to your favorite podcast application.
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Episode Recorded on 05/10/2022
Hidden Forces 
