In another great piece from ForeignPolicy.com, Christopher Hitchens critiques Colin Powell's tenure as Secretary of State. Here's a short excerpt:
The official historian of the State Department has calculated that Powell will have traveled less than any secretary in more than three decades. His three immediate predecessors voyaged abroad an average of 45 percent more than him. "Shuttle diplomacy" may well have been overpromoted by Henry Kissinger, but a politique de presence has an importance of its own, and Powell should not forget that it was very largely his own personality - large, affable, calm, and, yes, originally Caribbean - that landed him the post to begin with. I myself doubt that a diplomatic "offensive" by Powell would have melted the heart of the Elysee, but he incurs criticism not for failing, but for not trying. And then he incurs further criticism for indicating dissent from a major policy, partly on the grounds that it did not command enough sympathy overseas.
(via aldaily.com)
Posted by dan at November 16, 2004 12:55 AM