In two years, after the rubble is still there because America has lost interest in rebuilding what it smashed -- it has happened before -- they will kick the rubble and curse us. Unless we follow up, the way our grandparents' generation did in Europe and Japan, and break this court-and-jilt cycle in our foreign policy (Pakistan is suddenly our good friend again, now that we need it), we will contribute to this cycle some more.

Was the Marshall Plan just one brief shining moment of lucidity, or was it the beginning of a new way of thinking about foreign policy? How do you feel about foreign aid?

Regards--
Mary Anne