Prof. Mearsheimer and Walt are notably absent from this debate.

Lobbyists Smoothed the Way For a Spate of Foreign Deals

By BOB DAVIS and DENNIS K. BERMAN The Wall Street Journal
January 25, 2008; Page A1 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120120895483414521

Two years ago, the U.S. Congress pressured the Arab emirate of Dubai to back out of a deal to manage U.S. ports. Today, governments in the Persian Gulf, China and Singapore have snapped up $37 billion of stakes in Wall Street, the bedrock of the U.S. financial system. Lawmakers and the White House are welcoming the cash, and there is hardly a peep from the public.

This is no accident. The warm reception reflects millions of dollars in shrewd lobbying by both overseas governments and their Wall Street targets — aided by Washington veterans from both parties, including big-time Republican fund-raiser and lobbyist Wayne Berman. Also easing the way: The investments have been carefully designed to avoid triggering close U.S. government oversight.

Video: Wall St. Journal’s Dennis Berman discusses the potential impact and reach of Arab government investment funds on the U.S. economy.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452319854/bctid1380790724

Top 100 Companies of the Muslim World in 2007 (Chart)

(From: Shariah Finance Watch; Hat tip: Atlas Shrugs)