If a loss of trust in institutions is a cause of decline in a nation’s fortunes, as Daron Acemoglu’s Weekend Essay argues (“After the American century”, Life & Arts, February 8), the impact of the actions and performance of US presidents should be a critical element in evaluating performance.
During the Cuban missile crisis Kennedy was concerned to inform key allies about the Soviet attempt to put missiles on the island in order to secure support for US action. In late October 1962 he sent his special emissary, Dean Acheson, to Paris to present photographic evidence to de Gaulle.
De Gaulle had a long record of asserting France’s claim to have an independent foreign policy. He became indignant if he felt he was being informed but had not been consulted about a decision affecting France. On this occasion, de Gaulle dismissed the accompanying technical presentation, in effect saying that the American president’s word was enough for him.
It’s inconceivable that anyone with a scintilla of awareness and understanding would trust any purported “facts” presented by the current occupant of the White House.
Martyn Roetter
Boston, MA, US
