Once again, it seems that Bush's foreign policy is limited to smokin' out those terrorists and alleged hoarders of weapons of mass destruction (as long as there is an oil interest in the latter).
While Blair and Brown have made some seemingly significant steps to alleviate Africa's debt to the developed world, Bush has indicated that a key part of the plan "doesn't fit our [the US's] budget process". This rationale never seemed to get a mention when the US government kept returning cap-in-hand to the Senate requesting more funding for the war in Iraq.
When Bush was counting on Blair for his support in the Middle East, it was there, at the detriment of Blair's reputation back home. When Blair requests similar support from across the Atlantic, it fails to materialise.
While it's true that Africa has less political clout in the US than it does in Europe (and Bush doesn't have the likes of Geldof to contend with), I struggle with the selective respect for humanity that Bush shows: we'll help out/intervene, as long as there is mileage in it for us. Kyoto will not be signed because it's too tough on the US; African debt will not be addressed because there would be no political benefit in the US.
While this country has a number of positive elements, its selfish, arrogant, insular view on the rest of the world is both scary and depressing. Unfortunately, in November, America voted to keep it going for a further four years.
