In the past, we have oscillated between being over-committed with our forces and resources and isolationist indifference given to events in distant lands. We always have to be conscious of the need to be selective in our use of our military power, but we really can't afford to abdicate our larger responsibility to promote our ideals and our influence. Well, somewhere in that shadowland between romantic globalism and narrowly defined pragmatism lies the basis for a conceptually sound and a politically grounded policy that will allow the United States to play a constructive and influential role in world affairs. It is a solemn moment for American democracy. For with this primacy and power is also joined the awe-inspiring accountability to the future.
Opportunity is here now, clear and shiny.
To reject it or ignore it or to fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the after-time. This might read as at least a portion of an editorial taken from The Washington Post . It actually was expressed by Winston Churchill in his legendary Iron Curtain speech back in 1946. I think for starters we have to act as President Eisenhower said. We have to steer a steady course between an assertion of strength that is truculent and a confession of helplessness that is cowardly.