In this eye-opening book, Mitchell Bard refutes claims that a manipulative Israeli lobby is using its muscle to benefit Israel at the expense of American interests. For more than 70 years, he contends, U.S. policy has, in fact, been shaped by the desire to foster good relations with the Arab states. This outlook has insured that we pay disproportionate attention to their interests, assisting countries-all dictatorial regimes with abysmal human rights records-that do not share our values or actually work to subvert our interests, supporting terrorism and promoting radical Islamic views.

Bard traces the history of Arab influence from its informal roots involving oil companies, Christian missionaries, and State Department Arabists. Today, Arab countries exercise power through a broad array of channels, including current and former diplomats, corporations with ties to the region, human rights organizations, the United Nations, academics, and Christian groups hostile to Israel.

In the past, the Arab lobby opposed U.S. recognition of Israel, blocked arms and aid to Israel, and sought larger weapons sales. Now, Bard shows, its goal is feeding America's oil addiction, expanding economic ties, obtaining sophisticated weaponry, and weakening our alliance with a democratic Israel.