The Silence of the Rational Center: Why American Foreign Policy Is Failing

What has happened to American foreign policy? Coauthors Stefan Halper and Jonathan Clarke argue that the members of what used to be called the foreign policy establishment are no longer doing the job of keeping our foreign policy informed and rational. Instead, hungry to coin the next Big Idea, they are in the business of advancing simplistic, glib mythologies. The result is that Americans are often presented with a fantasy world of nightmare scenarios rather than with explanations that lead to rational choices. The authors argue for a revival of integrity within our foreign policy elite so that America’s standing in the world can be restored.

Please join Professor Halper and a panel of distinguished commentators for a discussion of this provocative and timely work.