LevinK, IMO, the US is already paying the price for maintaining such double standards in our international relations. Double standards are nothing new here -- the US has been kicking its poorer American neighbors around for much of its history. What is new is that America is now perceived as being weakened militarily and economically. Simultaneously, other nations have begun to find their footing and are in no mood to put up with our continuing hypocrisy.

What is absolutely essential is that the US begins to see itself a nation among nations instead of "the world's only superpower." I'm convinced that were this to happen, we would actually find that our security was enhanced. However, I'm equally sure that we will never convince the reactionary populace to elect a president that is willing to take this approach to foreign policy.

What Nato offensive on Lebanon are you talking about?