War and diplomacy

The notion that America is an "exceptional" nation has guided our foreign policy from the earliest days of the Republic. But critics say that idea has been used to justify some questionable adventures abroad. This is the latest discussion in Midmorning's election-season series examining the debates that define and inspire our country, using Howard Fineman's "The Thirteen American Arguments" as a guide.

Guests

• Marilyn Young: Professor of history at New York University, and co-editor of "Iraq and the Lessons of Vietnam."
• Ted Widmer: Director of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, and a fellow at the New America Foundation. He was a foreign policy speech writer for President Clinton. His newest book is "ark of the Liberties."

More from MPR

• Howard Fineman on Midmorning: Divided, and united, by debate
  May 27, 2008

Resources

• About Marilyn Young
• About Ted Widmer