"Bart Senior" wrote in message

Financial leverage is the most powerful leverage. The US should
halt foreign aid and trade to nations that do not treat us with respect.
If we are not liked, we should vote with our feet and go elsewhere.

I agree, Bart, but it's not really respect I'm seeking--it's allegiance.
The biggest mistake the US has continually made in this regard is the
never-ending financial benevolence with no strings. We give money and
simply hope that it will buy allegiance, but it seldom does. Our
beneficiaries generally turn on us at the first sign of trouble. That
should cease, or the money should.

Max