America and the World Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy
Two of the most respected figures in American foreign policy are Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft—both former National Security Advisors under markedly different administrations. In America and the World they dissect, in spontaneous and unscripted conversations moderated by David Ignatius, the most significant foreign policy challenges facing the U.S.: the Middle East, Russia, China, Europe, the Developing World, the changing nature of power in a globalized world, and what Brzezinski has called the “global political awakening.” While one author is a Republican and the other a Democrat, they broadly agree on the need to adapt to a new international environment. Where they disagree, their exchanges are always both deeply informed and provocative.
America and the World will define the center of responsible opinion on American foreign policy at a time when the nation’s decisions could determine how long it remains a superpower.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars A must read for every American.
I had to make myself put this book down every so often as I wanted to read it all in one sitting. So far, I haven’t finished the book yet but wanted to comment on it anyway. This is a non-partisan book containing much wisdom.
The authors are so knowledgeable and so wise about about how America can be a positive influence on world affairs (and how we have failed at times in the past). They both are highly critical of the attitude that America can push people around and go to war with anyone that we think is a threat.
They offer so much hope for our country and the world if we are led by people who truly understand the best way to go about our foreign poilicy. But to do that, we will need leaders who are willing to take the time to read and listen and be willing to explore a new way of being part of the world.
If most Americans would take the time to read and think about the important ideas in this book, we would have a so much better informed electorate when choosing those who will get our vote.
5 Stars Rebuilds Your Confidence in Government!
“America and the World” is built around a series of non-partisan foreign policy discussions between (D) Zbigniew Brzezinski and (R) Brent Scowcroft, led by reporter and author David Ignatius. Both were very knowledgeable and rational. Following is some of their comments.
The defining challenge of this century is the shift of power from the Atlantic world to the Far East and the surfacing of common global problems. Unfortunately, America has lost confidence as a result of 9/11 and now has a culture of fear. Instead, we need a stewardship based on an intelligent society that understands its responsibilities and is not terrorized into rash decisions demagogically justified that isolate us in the world.
Scowcroft reports that he saw our command and control operations in action on 9/11 (was aboard one of our specially outfitted aircraft) - “not a pretty picture.” We then said “No, thanks” to NATO’s offer of aid. Both are concerned we may get involved in Iran and then Pakistan as well as Iraq and Afghanistan, delighting Osama.
After we went into Iraq we adopted the notion of being a transformative power. Our belief that Iraq could be managed by us is contrary to the Israel experience vs. its Lebanon invasion in 1982. (Nothing like failing to learn from history!)
The U.N. no longer works well in a world of shifting power. Kofi Annan tried to reform the U.N. to make it more effective - the U.S. submitted over 700 amendments and was the primary culprit in sabotaging the effort.
About the only issue the two disagreed on was Iraq - leave or stay.
I was surprised to learn that Iran has the right under international law and the Non-proliferation Treaty to enrich. That doesn’t make it a good idea - the major problem is that a number of other Mid-East countries will want to follow if Iran succeeds. Regardless, the U.S. “negotiating” position is a non-starter - “we’ll negotiate if Iran starts by giving up enrichment - the point of the negotiations!”
Iran got involved in Gaza and Lebanon because of actions by Israel, not via an invasion. There would be a severe reaction if we bombed Iran.
The notion that we have to prove friendship to Israel by starving people in Gaza (non-cooperation with Hamas) is immoral. Palestinian refugee camps are a breeding ground for terrorism.
American cultural imperialism through democratization in the Mid-East was disowned the moment it was tested (Gaza). Sending Karen Hughes to teach democracy to Arabs makes us the object of ridicule.
We should restart training support for young Pakistani officers, thus making them less vulnerable to Taliban infiltration.
Taiwan and China have improved relations lately, helped by Taiwan’s investments in China and tourism there; thus the “one China” issue has somewhat receded because the Chinese now see time as on their side. Much of the world looks at China and concludes there’s a lot to be said for authoritarianism; the Russian embrace of democracy produced chaos and near economic ruin.
The U.S. exclusion of India’s 14 reactors from international control damages our non-proliferation credibility. It is unclear what the purpose was, and we have now also upset Pakistan.
It is also unclear what the purpose is for a missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic. On the one hand we say Iran can’t have nuclear weapons, and on the other act as if they have them. Further, the Europeans are not asking for protection, and the system is not viable vs. Russian missiles.
Foreign-policy areas for the next president to focus on in his first 100 days include climate change, the Palestine-Israel conflict, Iran and Iraq. The two also suggest he stop the competing/duplicated presidential and v.p. National Security Council staffs, and emphasize bipartisanship.
5 Stars ENLIGHTENING!
If you had suppositions about how you thought the world was, this book brings to light that we are in an emerging age of the politicization of the world. The ushering out of the old Cold War mentality is now being replaced by a new awareness of self beyond borders and a higher conversation of how to achieve balance in the world. It is a stand that democracy cannot survive if it is militarily forced upon people, but instead, with alliances, can be allowed to take seed and to flourish. And that the United States is still capable of creating balance in the world, instead of the division caused by the mis-step of the War in Iraq. And it is written to the democratic and republican nominees for President of the United States. Well worth your time, Senator McCain and Senator Obama.
5 Stars Wisdom Abounds–the old models don’t work anymore
There is something about this book that compells you to stop reading it for a second and to go to Amazon.com to say “something.”
I love the format. You feel like you are sitting with Brzezinski, Scowcroft and Ignatius just listening as a child who seemingly should be in bed would sit on the stairway listening to grownups talk about important issues in the living room below.
What I especially like is the way you can stop and ponder what they are saying, or look up a point that is unfamaliar to you on the internet. I am new to foreign policy, and I’m hooked. A glossary or endnotes and a map would have been nice since many events, terms, etc. are new to me (what is the “green zone” or the “Perm Five”, etc.) but this should not deter anyone.
I also like the gentlemenly way they discuss differing points of views as well as how they agree with each other. And you can almost smell the leather chairs… Enjoy!
–Leah
3 Stars Total misreading of Middle East conflict
I would like in this review to focus on one central conception the authors share i.e. It is the idea that a peace between Israel and the Palestinians, including the entire Arab and Islamic world is possible. And that this Peace will essentially be a key to transforming the Middle East into an area more friendly to the United States.
These misconceptions raise the question of how wise the authors’ recommendations are in other areas.
But I will confine myself to the Middle East. The fact is since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 the Middle East has turned even more in the direction of radical Islam than before. Iran the major terrorist player is also the major Shiite player. It has at times cooperated suprisingly enough with its Sunni non- state fellow terror entity, Al - Quaeda but it has largely acted through its Shiite surrogate in Lebanon, Hizbollah. It was Hizbollah terrorists who bombed the Marine base in Beirut and drove the U.S out of Lebanon in 1982. The radicalization of the area , its Islamization means that one central set of actors, the Iranians , Hizbollah, , Hamas are simply not able ideologically to contemplate Peace with Israel. This means that any persistent American peace effort is bound to end in failure, as did the major effort made by President Clinton.
Blaming Israel for the situation of the Palestinians who have in Gaza adopted the position of radical Islam is unfair. The Palestinians have had through the years peace offers in which they were offered their own state. They repeatedly rejected this.
Even more ridiculous is the claim that an Israeli- Arab peace would put an end to rivalries in the Middle East. The Iranian- Saudi divide, the Shiite - Sunnite divide is not one which is going away through any negotiation. It is well to remember that factions of Shiites and Sunnites are murdering each other in Iraq.
My own sense is that it would be a lot wiser if experienced political people like Brzhenski and Scowcroft recognized not only the limitiations of American power ( This is a major theme of the book, the overreaching of the United States) but of the power of any of the present players to finally put an end to longstanding, persisting, chronic problems and conflicts. Perhaps they too might admit their part in some of the past failures. ( Brzhenski was a major player in the Carter Administration bungling of the Radical Islamic Iranian Khomeini rise to power. This perhaps more than any other foreign policy mistake is the one which has had the most telling consequences through the years.)
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