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The Imperial Messenger: Thomas Friedman at Work Counterblasts

Gabriel Blair

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By Pankaj Mishra

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is one of the most influential foreign policy thinkers of our time. His columns regularly spark debate and controversy, and he has been accused of everything from being a warmonger to a naive idealist. But what is the real Thomas Friedman?

The Imperial Messenger: Thomas Friedman at Work (Counterblasts)

by Gina Pink

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1359 KB
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Print length	:	225 pages
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In The Imperial Messenger, Pankaj Mishra offers a critical examination of Friedman's work. Mishra argues that Friedman is a product of the American empire, and that his writing reflects the arrogance and hubris of that empire. Friedman's worldview, Mishra argues, is based on the assumption that the United States is the indispensable nation, and that it has the right to intervene anywhere in the world to promote its interests.

Mishra also criticizes Friedman's simplistic understanding of the world. Friedman, he argues, sees the world in terms of good guys and bad guys, and he has little patience for nuance or complexity. This simplistic worldview, Mishra argues, has led Friedman to make a number of dangerous and counterproductive recommendations, such as the invasion of Iraq.

Mishra's critique of Friedman is both incisive and persuasive. He shows that Friedman is a deeply flawed thinker, and that his writing is often misleading and harmful. However, Mishra does not simply dismiss Friedman. He also acknowledges that Friedman has some important insights, and that he has played a significant role in shaping American foreign policy.

The Imperial Messenger is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the role of the United States in the world today. Mishra's critique of Friedman is a powerful indictment of the American empire, and it offers a much-needed corrective to Friedman's simplistic and dangerous worldview.

About the Author

Pankaj Mishra is an Indian-born British essayist and novelist. He is the author of several books, including An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World (2004),Temptations of the West: How to Be Modern in India, Pakistan, Tibet and Beyond (2006),and From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia (2012).

Reviews

"Mishra's critique of Friedman is both incisive and persuasive. He shows that Friedman is a deeply flawed thinker, and that his writing is often misleading and harmful." - The New York Times

"A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the role of the United States in the world today. Mishra's critique of Friedman is a powerful indictment of the American empire, and it offers a much-needed corrective to Friedman's simplistic and dangerous worldview." - The Guardian