The White House says it has adopted a "new realism," and George W. Bush's press secretary has repeatedly used that word, or a variation of it, in defending what has been going on. Realism has an established meaning in the vocabulary of foreign relations. It means national policies formulated in terms of power and national interest, setting aside ideology and prejudice, trying to look at things as honestly as possible. But suspicion arises that the Bush administration may think "realism" simply means being tough with other countries, ignoring their official opinions and national interests when these don't please the United States, even when those interests may be legitimate and the opinions serious.

"Suspicion arises..." harharharharhar!

"...may think realism simply means being tough with other countries..."

I wonder what the journalist thinks 'realism' means then, "trying to look at things as honestly as possible", maybe? Knob. He actually thinks that there isn't a hint of pragmatic thought involved here.

What a stupid way to approach the whole thing. Nichts-sagend. And this was in the IHT, probably a 'post' contribution. Probably spin anyway, was published 2001.