Foreign Relations: In an Era of Self-Interest

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Many of the U.S.'s old friends do not seem to call as often as they used to—and when they do, there is apt to be a new tone of voice. By design and by drift, they follow increasingly independent courses, with less and less reference to U.S. policy. Sometimes they almost seem to defy U.S. wishes out of pure perversity.

What has happened? There is, of course, no single turning point for such a trend. With massive U.S. help, the economies of most free-world countries have been immensely strengthened, thereby increasing their...