Viewpoint: The Fading Red Label

All's well that ends well? In their first serious foreign policy test, the neophyte Bushies have met the Chinese challenge over Hainan with deftness and aplomb — tough on the basics, creative on the fine line between "regret" and "apology." The troops are home; the spy plane that was almost decapitated by a hotshot Chinese pilot will follow — after the Chinese have taken apart every radar, sensor and computer inside. But this was neither the beginning nor the end of the great U.S.-Chinese duel that will dominate 21st century diplomacy as did the Soviet-American contest in the 20th. For the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!