In the old days of ruffled-shirt diplomacy, when Talleyrand and Prince Metternich were in 19th century flower, a diplomat needed a backstairs source in the palace, a talent for intrigue and a good cook. Big powers acted in concert, and the small powers were expected to know their place. The financial side of diplomacy was a relatively simple matter of buying allies or buying off potential enemies. In mid-20th century diplomacy, financial dealings must be disguised under such inoffensive names as mutual assistance, economic cooperation or foreign aid, and economic aid has...
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