The Dispensable Nation
American Foreign Policy in Retreat
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The Dispensable Nation
Narrated by:
Stephen Hoye
Buy Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Stephen Hoye
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By:
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Vali Nasr
About this listen
Vali Nasr, author of the groundbreaking The Shia Revival, worked closely with Hillary Clinton at the State Department on Afghan and Pakistani affairs. In The Dispensable Nation, he takes us behind the scenes to show how Secretary Clinton and her ally, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, were thwarted in their efforts to guide an ambitious policy in South Asia and the Middle East. Instead, four years of presidential leadership and billions of dollars of U.S. spending failed to advance democracy and development, producing mainly rage at the United States for its perceived indifference to the fate of the region.
After taking office in 2009, the Obama administration had an opportunity to fundamentally reshape American foreign policy, Nasr argues, but its fear of political backlash and the specter of terrorism drove it to pursue the same questionable strategies as its predecessor. Meanwhile, the true economic threats to U.S. power, China and Russia, were quietly expanding their influence in places where America has long held sway.
Nasr makes a compelling case that behind specific flawed decisions lurked a desire by the White House to pivot away from the complex problems of the Muslim world. Drawing on his unrivaled expertise in Middle East affairs and firsthand experience in diplomacy, Nasr demonstrates why turning our backs is dangerous and, what’s more, sells short American power. The United States has secured stability, promoted prosperity, and built democracy in region after region since the end of the Second World War, he reminds us, and The Dispensable Nation offers a striking vision of what it can achieve when it reclaims its bold leadership in the world.
If you could sum up The Dispensable Nation in three words, what would they be?
Brilliant, addictive, humorous !What other book might you compare The Dispensable Nation to, and why?
I recently listened to "The Concise History of Middle East "which talked about the complex history of the region but comparatively Vali Nasr's books whether one is reading them or listening to them are always very addictive."The Dispensable Nation "is so well researched . His grasp on the politics of the region is excellent . I love the way how he narrate it as a character of his book . History and politics can be very dry subject , but he makes them palatable , humorous and a addictive listen
Which scene did you most enjoy?
I enjoyed the whole book , but mostly his analysis about the political and economic future of different regions in the last chapter .If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Yes definitelyAny additional comments?
I am waiting for his next book nowI loved listening to it till the end .
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