Weekend open thread

I was just reading America and the World, a series of conversations by Zbigniew Brzezinski (I typed that correctly in one go - that's a first) and Brent Scowcroft, moderated by David Ignatius. An easy, though thoughtful read.

For years, I've been saying that the US needs to be recognized as a provincial country, so this characterization is one I share:

"Americans are curiously, paradoxically, simultaneously very well-educated and amazingly ignorant. We are a society that lives within itself. We're not interested in the history of other nations."

I'm an international relations amateur, just now focusing on upping my game, and I wish there was a wiki devoted to solely to international relations. One stop shopping for country and regional profiles (including everyone's all-important domestic politics). More entries on governmental and nongovernmental international organizations, international law, trade, extraterritorial issues, and the list goes on and on and on. . . .

As an aside, let me add my kudos to Jentleson and Weber's excellent article America's Hard Sell. Bloggers at The European Tribune regularly take issue with the perception of America trying to export (read: impose) US style democracy all over the world, and the reasons why other societies might not accept our received view was refreshing to see. Thanks to the authors and the editorial board.