Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Globally and politically, our environment, as we know it, is changing, and fast. Authors of every genre weigh in on the nation's economic pitfalls, political turmoil and social ills.
A common thread among political platforms is the call for change. Everyone has an opinion, but only a few are fortunate enough to share their passionate views with readers on our nation's identity crisis.
Meet Zbigniew Brzezinksi and Brent Scowcroft, two persuasive authors and former National Security Advisors, and moderator and Washington Post columnist David Ignatius. There's nothing boring about the collaborative effort in their new book, "America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy." With a refreshing and unscripted question and answer forum, the greatest debate of them all is on!
Ignatius: ... Our subject in these conversations is how the United States can begin to put a badly disordered world back together ... talk about the values you would like to see us bringing to this dialogue with Arabs and Israelis, and how we can change the image our country has today in that part of the world to something more positive.
Scowcroft: The peace process is the place to start. If we can succeed in that we will turn the mood around. We are now seen not as impartial but as supporting one side. The Arabs have largely lost faith in us because of that, and because of Iraq ...
Brzezinski: ... We were viewed by most people in the Middle East, particularly after World War II, as a liberating force. We were seen as encouraging the disappearance of the British and French without moving in our own forces in their wake ...
A heated, three-way conversation continues to explore myths and reality of an unstable foreign policy. How did we get here? Answers are a dime a dozen. But the tough questions remain: Is it time to pull out of Iraq? What is our role as Americans in the Far East? Does American policy need a huge makeover? Democrat, Republican or Independent, what will become of the American spirit?
America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy
Authors: Zbigniew Brzezinksi, Brent Scowcroft, David Ignatius (moderator)
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication Date: September 2008
Listen to an excerpt from America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy
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The Week's Most Talked About Book(s)" is a weekly book review and literary criticism column that publishes every Friday. Selected titles are based on popularity, public opinion, research and observation. Questions, comments and suggestions should be sent to book lover and columnist Karla Mass at kmass@mcclatchyinteractive.com.
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