America Should Not Try to be Liked

Michael Gerson, Council on Foreign Relations | March 7, 2008

The assertion that a Democratic president will have to repair the damage done to the country's reputation overseas underrates the complexity of feelings towards America. ++ Anti-Americanism is less the result of policies than natural tension with a superpower. ++ As global popularity does not translate into global influence, wise decisions rather than a good reputation should be the guiding principle.