Walter Russell Mead on Christian Zionism, the ‘Israel Lobby’ Myth, and the Psychology of Antisemitism
5/4/20261 hr 1 min
Why do Americans support Israel? The standard answers—D.C. lobbying, shared democratic values, strategic benefits—all miss something. Walter Russell Mead, one of America's foremost foreign policy scholars, traces the real answer back to 17th-century Calvinist theology, and argues that Christian Zionists were advocating for a Jewish homeland long before most Jews were. Mead joins the show to make the case that the famous Israel Lobby thesis is actually historically incoherent. To explain where antisemitism comes from and why it keeps coming back, he offers a nuanced defense of American global engagement against the America First movement’s more isolationist impulses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Coleman Hughes· Host0:29
Welcome to another episode of Conversations with Coleman. My guest today is Walter Russell Mead. Walter is an American foreign policy scholar, columnist, and professor known for his analysis of US foreign policy. He's a longtime writer for The Wall Street Journal and the author of many great books, including my personal favorite, The Ark of the Covenant. In this episode, we talk about the virtues and vices of the America First movement, we talk about the history of Christian Zionism in America, which I can guarantee you is more interesting and surprising than you think. We talk about where antisemitism comes from, historically and psychologically. We talk about the problems with John Mearsheimer's Israel lobby thesis, and much more. So without further ado, Walter Russell Mead. [upbeat music] Okay, Walter Russell Mead, thanks so much for coming on my show.
Walter Russell Mead· Guest1:26
Great to be here.
Coleman Hughes· Host1:26
So I wanna talk to