Blog #1 [America's pro-Israel lobby - Powerful, but not that Powerful]

Two Americans academics wrote an article declaring that America is in favour of Israel, invading Iraq, caused furious criticism. It is believed that the writers were trying to stir up painful questions of American Jews. Later on the article grew into a book which explained how AIPAC helped to shape American thinking about the region. Their thesis stated that America and Israel are in special relationships. the writers were trying go blame Israel for Iraq invasion. On further reading, the clarify turns into a muddle. The writers put a twist that the driving force for the Iraq battle was Israel but a "small band of neoconservatives". The writer also argued that neocons favour invasion before 2001. America only intended to attack Iraq because of the 911 incident. In conclusion, the writer did not have any evidence that the neocons were the planner of Iraq war. After reading the book, it is hard to believe that the Iraq war was our of Israel's interest. click here to see article

This article relates to the chapter in ways like opportunity cost. The opportunity cost of having US invade Iraq would be the amount of money they are putting in. As we all know that there are many alternative ways to use the fund, like rebuilding roads, improving facilities, donations to the poor, and many other types of services. Moreover, they are not only giving up money, but many American's lives also. These American soldiers that are sacrificing can be living still instead of dying or risking their lives in the battle of Iraq.

In my opinion, i think it is very unfair for the writers to blame everything on Israel since US is also responsible for the invasion. Also, US intended to invade Iraq because of the 911 incident...which is not related to the Jews. Having the writers criticize the jews like that will only lead to severe racism against them in US. Moreover, i think if the writers don't even have enough evidence to prove it's Israel's responsibility, they shouldn't be giving such a strong thesis to blame them, because they dun even know for sure. Moreover, i think US should try to use other ways of controlling Iraq instead of battle. Because i think violence should always be the last resort to a problem, because it involves the sacrifice of human lives.