How to Lead the World

Of course, more-traditional diplomatic and military threats to U.S. interests will also emerge in the years to come, whether from a China or an India gone wrong or from Russia's reassertion of its military power. None of these possible threats should be overshadowed by the need to address the more urgent danger of WMD. But the United States must not succumb to the delusion that it has passed beyond history, and that all threats ultimately ripen into benign opportunities.

Boltonwas the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations in 2005 and 2006. He is now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of the forthcoming book"Surrender Is Not an Option."

© 2007