First, we are the ones with the vast power at our disposal who are proposing to rewrite the rules of international relations and start throwing our weight around. That naturally makes others, even our friends, somewhat nervous, and it should be a no-brainer to take such feelings into account, try to soothe them, etc. That's why they call it "diplomacy." The only one in this administration who actually seems to understand that is Powell, which is one reason (quite separate from his substantive positions) why he's the only high-level figure in this administration the rest of the world likes. Remember TR--it's precisely when you're carrying a big stick that you should speak softly.
Second, the fact that the French and Germans are being truculent and childish is true but doesn't absolve the Bushies from blame. Again, with great power comes great responsibility--we should be "big" enough to take their shenanigans in stride and simply go about our business, rather than persisting in a petulant flame war.
There was a pretty good, if scathing, column on all this today in the FT by Gerard Baker, called "Tartuffe and the shock-jock." It's only available to subscribers, unfortunately, but if someone wanted to post it I'm sure we'd all benefit...
tb@maturityisagoodthing.com |
