U.S. policy in the Balkans and near-Balkan countries has been a dismal failure. According to Zbignieu Brezinski, the stated policy of the Carter administration was to draw the Soviets into Afghanistan to enjoy a Vietnam-type war.

That policy led indirectly to the current situation in Afghanistan. Because of the constant nagging of Bob Dole and human rights groups, President Clinton intervened in Bosnia and in Kosovo.

To Clinton's credit, he assured Americans it was not policy to separate Kosovo from Serbia. President Bush and our sovereign state department have reversed Clinton and declared Kosovo an independent nation.

The Clinton intervention and the current Bush policy have led directly to the Russian invasion of Georgia. In September, U.N. members will vote to confirm the separation of Kosovo from Serbia. If the separation is confirmed, this could lead to an expansion of the current military activities in that area.

Americans have a right to expect more from our administration. We also have a right to expect that Europeans play some role in the security of Eastern Europe.

Barack Obama, the likely next president, appears to have no idea what is going on. His talk to the Germans should have expressed his frustration with the German contribution to the fighting forces in Afghanistan. This is the war that Obama supports. Germany has 2,700 troops sent there with the stated objective of learning how to fight.

So far, the German troops are reluctant to leave the safety of their base; and when they do, they leave in the protection of armored vehicles.

McCain, trying to build on his strength, offers no change in direction, only appearing to play the tough man. When it comes time to vote in November, I might just flip a coin.

Tom Snead, West End