In December, 2006, the Iraq Study Group released its report on the Iraq war. A cornerstone to that report was the recommendation of a “new diplomatic offensive.” “The study group recognizes that US relationships with Iran and Syria involve difficult issues that must be resolved…However, the United States should consider incentives to try to engage them constructively, much as it did successfully with Libya.” This conclusion was based on the realization that a lasting peace in Iraq must necessarily take into account the concerns and influence of its neighbors.

Karl Marx once wrote: Philosophers have hitherto interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it. Most American teachers of philosophy are not attempting to change the world; they are committed to maintaining the status quo. They are academic entrepreneurs, apologists for the bourgeoisie. Their main interest is improving their status and income in academe. Obviously, they are not in the same class as Karl Marx.