Indeed, the Polish case demonstrates thewisdomof refraining from the sort of bail-outs often recommended by those in theWest motivated by such considerations as sentiment, short-term trade or domestic political benefits unless and until an actual transfer of political and economic power takes place.
In his last major speech to the U.S. Army Corps of Cadets at West Point, Secretary Gates went even farther, questioning the likelihood and wisdomofthe U.S. conducting major contingencies in either the Middle East or East Asia.