In the NMD confrontation, almost every major American "ally," except for Britain, has sided with Russia and vehemently condemned the proposed missile shield. Even Canada--the nation that has not disagreed with the U.S. on anything since the Alaskan Border dispute of 1903--has publicly declared its opposition to the NMD.

Meanwhile, Russia has graciously offered to share its missile defense technology with the rest of Europe (NATO allies included), opening the possibility of creating a missile shield for the entire continent. Such an agreement would essentially destroy NATO, and divide the world along Cold War-type lines. But this time around it would not be Eastern Bloc vs. the West; it would be Europe vs. the United States.

While some would have a hard time believing that the Western alliance could become undone, it is not inconceivable. In the old days, other countries--especially our allies--would have tolerated America's overzealous security schemes because, next to the Soviets, the American way sounded pretty good. Those days are over--the Soviet threat is gone. The death of communism, combined with the rise of American arrogance, has made us less attractive as an ally.

We do not need a National Missile Defense system. What we need is the reinvigoration of America's commitment to the New World Order it helped create. Washington has strayed from its task of "making the world safe for democracy"--a task that included fostering friendship with Russia. As a result, our reputation has been sullied and our allies estranged. Our president's main foreign policy objective should be to repair that tarnished reputation and rebuild our alliances--not to recreate the uncomfortable tension of a bygone era.

Nader R. Hasan '02 is a government concentrator in Lowell House. His column appears on alternate Wednesdays.