THE FOREIGN POLICY COST

Like that of central banks, the power of militaries is often more effective when it has acquired a fearsome reputation of being effective and powerful. Sometimes, as Machiavelli noted, the reputation for ferocity is more important than the capacity to deliver it – and makes actual exercise of it superfluous. What the response to Katrina has done is make the U.S. super-power look a lot less credible, a lot less fearsome, a lot less capable. Ditto, of course, with regard to the inept conduct of the war in Iraq. Just as this administration has squandered America’s fiscal reputation, it has also put a dent in perception of its military effectiveness. That only emboldens enemies, makes deterrence harder and makes more conflict likelier. Dan Drezner elaborates.