Putin Was Right About American Exceptionalism
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Sept. 19 (Bloomberg) -- As part of the debate overintervention in Syria, the question of whether the U.S. is anexceptional country has once again bubbled up. Yes, saysPresident Barack Obama, who invoked U.S. exceptionalism in hisSept. 10 speech on the need to respond to chemical weaponsattacks in Syria. No, responds Russian President Vladimir Putin,arguing last week in a New York Times op-ed that the U.S. shouldrefrain from striking Syria, and that “it is extremelydangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional,whatever the motivation.”
Claims of American exceptionalism have a long history. Theyassume that the U.S. not only is exceptionally powerful but alsohas distinctive values.