"So likewise, a passionate attachment of one Nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favourite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest, in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and Wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification: It also leads to concessions to the favourite Nation of priviledges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the Nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained; and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld: And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favourite Nation) facility to betray, or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation."
--George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

George Washington was a very smart man. Sometimes when people who are much smarter than me speak I have no idea what they said.

In this case I think the first president of the USA is saying we should avoid foreign entanglements. On this note, we are heavily linked to many Arab countries who do not have our interests at heart.

This actually seems relevant to our modern political situation. Lebanon is a favored nation of sorts because it is a "democracy." Many people in the American government have such a stake tied into this "democracy" thing that they can't or won't acknowledge that Lebanon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a subsidiary of Iran with Syria playing a major role. The battle with Israel ripped away this facade but no one seems to have the courage to publically acknowledge this.

Rlph

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." That very simple and profound statement probably explains most of international politics. I think it clearly explains why Communists and Islamic Extremists find themsleves allied with one another.

Ralph

I mispelled your name!! Please accept my apologies. I shall check my spelling much closer in the future.