If it's true, I tend to take it a little more philosophically. It's a combination of the grungy arts of diplomacy and politics at work...the fine art of twisting arms to get what you want, and breaking them when you don't.

They aren't American inventions. For goodness sake, look at European history (up to and including current affairs), and you'll see diplomacy as dirty as it comes. My Asian studies are not as strong, but I strongly suspect international relations there have been every bit as dirty and distastful as anywhere. It stems from human nature, not from any given "national character."

Of course there are all manner of event taking place behind the scenes...who could possibly be surprised by that?

But to single out America as a particularly dirty player is completely unfounded.