‘Low-Intensity’ Conflicts
Messing’s message appears to be that our foreign policy should integrate economic, military, social and political aspects--and claims that this has not been done for the past three decades. He cites historical examples out of context to support this thesis--but fails to point out any details that would lend credibility.
Indeed, if his examples were examined in detail, they would indicate that the United States has integrated all aspects into foreign policy.
My concern will be that people who read the cliches and half-truths will believe that there is a simple solution, and that the American leadership, both conservative and liberal, have been totally unaware of the necessity to develop a national strategy and foreign policy involving sociological, political, military, economic and the human factors of major world leaders. Nothing could be more from the truth.
These factors have always been considered in the total context; differences in emphasis are there, but Messing’s main thesis is dead wrong, and he is misleading in trying to point out a simplistic solution as the only way.
The American people are smarter than that. They also deserve to be given accurate information--and Messing fails in that.
CLINTON E. GRANGER JR.
Santa Ana
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