Last week's repairs of the Hubble telescope by US astronauts was beautiful. It is hard to imagine the intelligence and hard work required to carry out such difficult work in space where any accident would mean certain death. It is hard to imagine that a country which produces such geniuses selects imbeciles to conduct its foreign policy. When Soviet Union broke up Russia was weak and insolvent. Instead of helping it to stand on its feet and develop strong institutions the west chose derision and contempt. The US financed Rose, Orange and other peaceful revolutions in former soviet republics and managed to put some of its stooges in power. It continued to expand NATO to these former republics and wants to set up missile defence shields in Poland. The drunken buffoon, Yeltsin was replaced by a black belt, Putin and the bear is snarling back. The US is losing its influence in central Asia. Yushenko is certain to be kicked out in Ukraine and Sakashvili is barely hanging on in Georgia. The Baltic states are in an economic mess as is Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria and the US cannot help because of its own economic problems. It is turning to China, the most dangerous country, for help. The US is still unable to distinguish its true enemies from competitors. It should develop and strengthen Russia and India to counter China and finish off Pakistan. These countries may be far away from America but 9/11 should have taught the US that distance is no barrier to attack. Imbeciles are no good in planning strategy.