A great nation's foreign policy involves power, money, trade, oil and arms, but it proeeds from ideas. - William Pfaff

The center holds; passion falls away. That is what happened ideologically in Western Europe over recent years.

The achievement of nationhood is a product not only of time and circumstance but usually of war and suffering as well.

These choices by small countries are vital for them, but may be more momentous than commonly understood for others as well, including the major powers, who presumptuously believe they are in control of events.