Bully of the free world

Since World War II, America has styled itself the "leader of the free world ." But to get its way, the United States has ignored the American public an d used covert action, sabotage, and threats against hapless foreign countri es. This is not true leadership. To lead in the 21st century; the United St ates will have to learn to acknowledge the world outside its borders and li sten to others' opinions, act in partnership with other nations, and get us ed to persuading allies rather than browbeating them. Given its penchant fo r secrecy and long history of avoiding "entangling alliances," America does not seem up to the challenge.