Submitted by Larry Hughes, Jan 8, 2008 06:25

Measuring success or failure of foreign policy on the basis of charity sent to Africa is an awfully stupid yardstick.

How about winning the war on terror, liberating Afghanistan and Iraq (roughly 50 million people), outing Dr. Khan and his nuke sales, defusing Libbya, opening very strong commercial relations with India, which will make that country's economy a buffer against China, making friends with France, Germany, helping to extricate Columbia from its troubles (don't look now, but it's getting much better), supporting democracy in Eastern Europe and especailly the former USSR states, with good success, also Lebanon, and finally facing down the little schmo in North Korea with help from China, while keeping Iran at bay and frightened. It also looks like the tinhorn running Venezuela is imploding, while the Paific Rim, and Brazil, and many other places are more prosperous than ever. We also have a more friendly government in Canada. At the same time we have "outed" the kleptocracy on Turtle Bay for the disgrace that it is, at least in the minds of most Americans, which was long overdue. Best of all, perhaps, we have shown our long-time Allies they cannot continue to deploy U.S. armed forces as they wish while not building any of their own, since we don't give two hoots for "the World Test" any more. For the past seven years foreign policy has been made with the interests of the United States foremost, a very welcome departure. Our worldwide military "footprint" is being gradually revised for the better, as well. 'Bout time!

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