America’s persistent support for the Jewish state has baffled many observers—particularly so-called foreign-policy “realists”—leading some to deluded if not anti-Semitic invocations of the mythical power of the “Jewish lobby.” Revisiting his 2008 essay, “The New Israel and the Old,” Walter Russell Mead argues that American’s affinity for Zionism goes back to the 19th century, is connected to the ideals of the American founding, and reflects conviction deeply held by the American people. (Interview by Michael Doran; video, one hour.)
Sign Up For Our E-Mail List Get the latest from Mosaic right in your inbox
More about: American founding, History & Ideas, Israel & Zionism, U.S. Foreign policy, US-Israel relations