But when television brings film of suffering into our homes, and rescue workers and journalists report rapine and genocide, Americans are moved to a more principled position. So European leaders hold peace talks to legitimize current conquests. They loosely apply economic sanctions. They send in peacekeepers to provide humanitarian aid, treating the victims rather than confronting the perpetrators. The U.N. labors over imposition of meaningless flight restrictions.
Aggression is rewarded and war spreads in the former Yugoslavia.
We may even provide air cover and satellite intelligence for European troops, and threaten to bomb Serbian artillery now killing civilians. This qualified offer to hold Europe's coat does not go over well with our allies. That's the state of play as the Clinton administration takes its place at the world table. Europeans are capable of being shamed into taking action to enforce this new concept of collective security, but unless America does the active shaming, Europe's leaders will shrink from their responsibility. America, if it is to have the standing to call for effective action, must be ready to share the risk.