There is a profound contradiction in the American way of dealing with the world. Our society and economy, our communication and travel patterns, and even our personal investment choices are increasingly global. In our corporate, cultural, and recreational lives we are engaged internationally and becoming more so. Yet we have fallen behind year after year in our investments in international education and research, in funding the basic foreign affairs agencies of the federal government, and in supporting those policies (such as "fast track" trade authority) and institutions (such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund) that extend our reach and bolster U.S. leadership. To these ironies, we should add that unique blend of unilateralism, sermonizing, and hubris that characterizes much of U.S. discourse on foreign affairs today. . . . In reality, we have much to learn about a changing world and about how we can most effectively and honorably advance U.S. interests and values in it.

Chester A. Crocker, Institute board chairman
Los Angeles Times, December 25, 1997

Back to the top | Feb. PW Home

| Bosnian Truth Commission | Rwanda: After the Genocide | Training: ICREST |
| OSCE Mission | New Board Member | Grant Report | Short Takes | Institute People |