The Foreign Service Journal, September 2004

and sustains terrorism. Shamefully, the United States ranks last among the countries of the developed, demo- cratic world in the percentage of its resources it devotes to international development assistance. We allot less than one-tenth of one percent of our annual GDP to foreign aid, and a lot of this aid goes to one country with a per-capita GNP of over $17,000: Israel. If we had spent on development assistance the amount we have spent, and will spend, on Iraq, we would be much more effective in our anti-terrorism efforts. When the gap between rich and poor widens, as it has, and half the world’s population lives below the poverty line, anger and alienation are the inevitable by- product. When 30,000 children die daily of diseases readily curable in the West, envy, guilt and desperation are by-products. In the next 15 years a billion people will be added to the world population even as our pop- ulations in the West age and contract. A fertile field for terrorism is being cultivated, and American is doing precious little about it. Attitude adjustment . Finally, we should be aware that our historic belief in American “exceptionalism” is widely interpreted abroad as arrogance, even among our traditional friends and allies. A lifetime of living and traveling in other countries has led me to the con- clusion that on the whole, Americans are no better and no worse than the rest of mankind. The advantages we have — and share with other democracies — are the institutions and rules that help shelter us from the fall- en angels of our nature. We must not let these institu- tions be weakened in order to combat terrorism. I believe George Washington offered us the best foreign policy advice when he said our aim should be to “raise a standard to which the wise and honest may repair.” Then our virtues will speak powerfully for themselves. F O C U S 50 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 4 You know that intimate, boutique all-suite hotel that everyone wants to find? The one that has cutting-edge style and service, but is still reasonably priced? You just found it! • Located minutes from State Department Headquarters • Government per diem accepted all year • Newly Renovated suites with full kitchens • Visit our new restaurant “Dish” For more information please visit www.theriverinn.com or call (202) 337-7600. L OTS OF S TYLE , N OT A LOT OF P R I CE 9 2 4 2 5 T H S T R E E T , NW W A S H I N G T O N , DC 2 0 0 3 7